PCB design based on nRF9160 & nRF52840
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
General
The electronics sits in a internal ABS housing together with a battery unit.
The PCB is operating in a vertical standing position, thus (flipped 180 degrees), tilt-ball switch etc. could be implemented for deep sleep mode. (Alternatively Rx command or push button etc.)
The PCB designer will be given guidelines on approx. placement of GPIO(s), powersupply input, and more product-specific information in general, as well as rough designfiles example in Kicad format. ++
RF
This device mainly operate on LTE-M connectivity based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 SICA B1
Secondary connectivity on the device is by BLE and/or NFC based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840.
Secondary connectivity is primarily used for local device management, diagnostics and firmware update in (LTE) offline scenarios, though BLE have future scenarios for operation in BLE long-range . (TBD)
Operational area is primarily EU, but not limited to European band for LTE/GPS coverage.
Antennas
LTE/GPS antenna should be a combo external antenna, but two separate antennas might also be OK.
In first prototype, external LTE and GPS antenna(s) are preferred
Custom made LTE/GPS antenna(s) are not preferred for a pilot initially.
BLE/NFC antenna should be PCB-mount or embedded design.
Power supply:
Generally, rechargeable battery pack is not currently considered at the moment.
Li-SOCl2 high capacity/performance 3.6V disposable batteries are planned.
Dual line buck converter for 5V/3.3V power supply has been considered, but 3.6>3.3V for board may be an alternative. (TBD)
PCB
RoHS compliant 2 layer FR4 PCB
The PCB is considered epoxy laminated in future production for humidity/corrosion resistance.
Initially for PoC or prototype, commercial grade components and design will be ok; within standardized manufacturing specifications at proto- and low volume production facilities.
Absolute maximum dimensions: 50mmx100mm. Preferably 40mm x 60mm
Design ratio consideration is weighted approximately:
>60% Quality
<40% Cost
The board MUST include:
MFF2(esim) footprint, with traces to:
EMI/ESD footprint (ex. CM1402) with traces to:
Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 footprint, with:
- Battery-powered supply (ex. through buck converter);
- SWD footprint (for debug and fw flashing);
- Factory reset push button;
- LTE and GPS antenna option connector(s);
- 3x Free GPIO;
- 1x (GPIO) Buzzer;
- 1x (GPIO) Status LED;
- UART to:
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 footprint, with:
- BLE and NFC antenna option(s);
- SWD footprint (for debug and fw flashing);
- COEX2 input from nRF9160 (nGrant)
The board MAY include;
- LNA filter for GPS through COEX0 on nRF9160
- MIPI RFFE tuner for LTE antenna
- Tiltball sensor(s) for wakeup/sleep by aprox. 180 degree tilt
- SPI based EEPROM
- Other… (TBD)
Installation environment and usecase:
Will be described at project start.
Initial delivery request:
Prototype manufacturing-ready design files, based on commercially available components
PCB Schematics, layout, BOM
The electronics sits in a internal ABS housing together with a battery unit.
The PCB is operating in a vertical standing position, thus (flipped 180 degrees), tilt-ball switch etc. could be implemented for deep sleep mode. (Alternatively Rx command or push button etc.)
The PCB designer will be given guidelines on approx. placement of GPIO(s), powersupply input, and more product-specific information in general, as well as rough designfiles example in Kicad format. ++
RF
This device mainly operate on LTE-M connectivity based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 SICA B1
Secondary connectivity on the device is by BLE and/or NFC based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840.
Secondary connectivity is primarily used for local device management, diagnostics and firmware update in (LTE) offline scenarios, though BLE have future scenarios for operation in BLE long-range . (TBD)
Operational area is primarily EU, but not limited to European band for LTE/GPS coverage.
Antennas
LTE/GPS antenna should be a combo external antenna, but two separate antennas might also be OK.
In first prototype, external LTE and GPS antenna(s) are preferred
Custom made LTE/GPS antenna(s) are not preferred for a pilot initially.
BLE/NFC antenna should be PCB-mount or embedded design.
Power supply:
Generally, rechargeable battery pack is not currently considered at the moment.
Li-SOCl2 high capacity/performance 3.6V disposable batteries are planned.
Dual line buck converter for 5V/3.3V power supply has been considered, but 3.6>3.3V for board may be an alternative. (TBD)
PCB
RoHS compliant 2 layer FR4 PCB
The PCB is considered epoxy laminated in future production for humidity/corrosion resistance.
Initially for PoC or prototype, commercial grade components and design will be ok; within standardized manufacturing specifications at proto- and low volume production facilities.
Absolute maximum dimensions: 50mmx100mm. Preferably 40mm x 60mm
Design ratio consideration is weighted approximately:
>60% Quality
<40% Cost
The board MUST include:
MFF2(esim) footprint, with traces to:
EMI/ESD footprint (ex. CM1402) with traces to:
Nordic Semiconductor nRF9160 footprint, with:
- Battery-powered supply (ex. through buck converter);
- SWD footprint (for debug and fw flashing);
- Factory reset push button;
- LTE and GPS antenna option connector(s);
- 3x Free GPIO;
- 1x (GPIO) Buzzer;
- 1x (GPIO) Status LED;
- UART to:
Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 footprint, with:
- BLE and NFC antenna option(s);
- SWD footprint (for debug and fw flashing);
- COEX2 input from nRF9160 (nGrant)
The board MAY include;
- LNA filter for GPS through COEX0 on nRF9160
- MIPI RFFE tuner for LTE antenna
- Tiltball sensor(s) for wakeup/sleep by aprox. 180 degree tilt
- SPI based EEPROM
- Other… (TBD)
Installation environment and usecase:
Will be described at project start.
Initial delivery request:
Prototype manufacturing-ready design files, based on commercially available components
PCB Schematics, layout, BOM