RM520N-GL
Hardware Design
5G Module Series
Version: 1.0
Date: 2022-07-15
Status: Released
RM520N-GL_Hardware_Design 1 / 84
5G Module Series
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and evaluation in designing intended products, and we provide reference designs for illustrative purposes
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5G Module Series
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To implement module functionality, certain device data are uploaded to Quectel’s or third-party’s servers,
including carriers, chipset suppliers or customer-designated servers. Quectel, strictly abiding by the
relevant laws and regulations, shall retain, use, disclose or otherwise process relevant data for the
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a) We acknowledge no liability for any injury or damage arising from the reliance upon the information.
b) We shall bear no liability resulting from any inaccuracies or omissions, or from the use of the
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free from errors, it is possible that they could contain errors, inaccuracies, and omissions. Unless
otherwise provided by valid agreement, we make no warranties of any kind, either implied or express,
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functions under development, to the maximum extent permitted by law, regardless of whether such
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Copyright © Quectel Wireless Solutions Co., Ltd. 2022. All rights reserved.
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5G Module Series
Safety Information
The following safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation, such as usage, service
or repair of any cellular terminal or mobile incorporating the module. Manufacturers of the cellular terminal
should notify users and operating personnel of the following safety information by incorporating these
guidelines into all manuals of the product. Otherwise, Quectel assumes no liability for customers’ failure to
comply with these precautions.
Full attention must be paid to driving at all times in order to reduce the risk of an
accident. Using a mobile while driving (even with a handsfree kit) causes
distraction and can lead to an accident. Please comply with laws and regulations
restricting the use of wireless devices while driving.
Switch off the cellular terminal or mobile before boarding an aircraft. The operation
of wireless appliances in an aircraft is forbidden to prevent interference with
communication systems. If there is an Airplane Mode, it should be enabled prior to
boarding an aircraft. Please consult the airline staff for more restrictions on the use
of wireless devices on an aircraft.
Wireless devices may cause interference on sensitive medical equipment, so
please be aware of the restrictions on the use of wireless devices when in
hospitals, clinics or other healthcare facilities.
Cellular terminals or mobiles operating over radio signal and cellular network
cannot be guaranteed to connect in certain conditions, such as when the mobile bill
is unpaid or the (U)SIM card is invalid. When emergency help is needed in such
conditions, use emergency call if the device supports it. In order to make or receive
a call, the cellular terminal or mobile must be switched on in a service area with
adequate cellular signal strength. In an emergency, the device with emergency call
function cannot be used as the only contact method considering network
connection cannot be guaranteed under all circumstances.
The cellular terminal or mobile contains a transceiver. When it is ON, it receives
and transmits radio frequency signals. RF interference can occur if it is used close
to TV sets, radios, computers or other electric equipment.
In locations with explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres, obey all posted
signs and turn off wireless devices such as mobile phone or other cellular
terminals. Areas with explosive or potentially explosive atmospheres include
fuelling areas, below decks on boats, fuel or chemical transfer or storage facilities,
and areas where the air contains chemicals or particles such as grain, dust or
metal powders.
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5G Module Series
About the Document
Revision History
Version Date
Author
Description
-
2021-11-25
Wynna SHU/
Simon WANG
Juriyi XIE/
Creation of the document
1.0
2022-07-15
Wynna SHU/
First official release
Simon WANG
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5G Module Series
Contents
Safety Information ....................................................................................................................................... 3
About the Document ................................................................................................................................... 4
Contents ....................................................................................................................................................... 5
Table Index ................................................................................................................................................... 8
Figure Index ............................................................................................................................................... 10
1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 11
1.1.
Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 11
1.2. Reference Standard .................................................................................................................. 11
1.3. Special Mark ............................................................................................................................. 12
2 Product Overview .............................................................................................................................. 13
2.1. Frequency Bands and Functions .............................................................................................. 13
2.2. Key Features ............................................................................................................................. 14
2.3. EVB Kit ...................................................................................................................................... 16
2.4. Functional Diagram ................................................................................................................... 17
2.5. Pin Assignment ......................................................................................................................... 18
2.6. Pin Description .......................................................................................................................... 19
3 Operating Characteristics ................................................................................................................. 24
3.1. Operating Modes ....................................................................................................................... 24
3.1.1. Sleep Mode .................................................................................................................... 25
3.1.2. Airplane Mode ................................................................................................................ 26
3.2. Communication Interface with a Host ....................................................................................... 26
3.3. Power Supply ............................................................................................................................ 27
3.3.1. Voltage Stability Requirements ...................................................................................... 27
3.3.2. Reference Design for Power Supply .............................................................................. 28
3.3.3. Power Supply Monitoring ............................................................................................... 29
3.4. Turn On ..................................................................................................................................... 29
3.5. Turn Off ..................................................................................................................................... 30
3.6. Reset ......................................................................................................................................... 32
4 Application Interfaces ....................................................................................................................... 36
4.1.
(U)SIM Interfaces ...................................................................................................................... 36
4.1.1. Pin Definition of (U)SIM.................................................................................................. 36
4.1.2.
(U)SIM Hot-Plug ............................................................................................................. 37
4.1.3. Normally Closed (U)SIM Card Connector...................................................................... 38
4.1.4. Normally Open (U)SIM Card Connector ........................................................................ 39
4.1.5.
(U)SIM Card Connector Without Hot-Plug ..................................................................... 39
4.1.6.
(U)SIM2 Card Compatible Design ................................................................................. 40
4.1.7.
(U)SIM Design Notices................................................................................................... 40
4.2. USB Interface ............................................................................................................................ 41
4.3. PCIe Interface ........................................................................................................................... 43
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4.3.1. PCIe Operating Mode .................................................................................................... 43
4.3.2. Pin Definition of PCIe ..................................................................................................... 44
4.3.3. Reference Design for PCIe ............................................................................................ 45
4.4. Control and Indication Interfaces .............................................................................................. 46
4.4.1. W_DISABLE1# ............................................................................................................... 46
4.4.2. W_DISABLE2#* ............................................................................................................. 47
4.4.3.
LED_WWAN#................................................................................................................. 48
4.4.4. WAKE_ON_WAN# ......................................................................................................... 49
4.4.5. DPR* .............................................................................................................................. 49
4.5. Cellular/WLAN COEX Interface* ............................................................................................... 50
4.6. Antenna Tuner Control Interface .............................................................................................. 50
4.7. Configuration Pins ..................................................................................................................... 51
5 RF Characteristics ............................................................................................................................. 53
5.1. Antenna Interfaces .................................................................................................................... 53
5.1.1. Pin Definition .................................................................................................................. 53
5.1.2. Cellular Network ............................................................................................................. 54
5.1.2.1. Rx Sensitivity ....................................................................................................... 54
5.1.2.2.
Tx Power ............................................................................................................. 57
5.1.3. GNSS ............................................................................................................................. 57
5.1.3.1. GNSS Frequency ................................................................................................ 57
5.1.3.2. GNSS Performance ............................................................................................ 58
5.2. Antenna Connectors ................................................................................................................. 59
5.2.1. Antenna Connector Specifications ................................................................................. 59
5.2.2. Antenna Connector Location ......................................................................................... 60
5.2.3. Antenna Connector Installation ...................................................................................... 61
5.2.4. Recommended RF Connector Installation ..................................................................... 62
5.2.4.1.
Assemble Coaxial Cable Plug Manually ............................................................. 62
5.2.4.2.
Assemble Coaxial Cable Plug with Jig ............................................................... 63
5.2.5. Recommended Manufacturers of RF Connector and Cable ......................................... 64
5.3. Antenna Requirements ............................................................................................................. 64
6 Electrical Characteristics and Reliability ........................................................................................ 65
6.1. Power Supply Requirements .................................................................................................... 65
6.2. Power Consumption .................................................................................................................. 65
6.3. Digital I/O Characteristic ........................................................................................................... 67
6.4. ESD Protection .......................................................................................................................... 68
6.5. Thermal Dissipation .................................................................................................................. 69
6.6. Absolute Maximum Ratings ...................................................................................................... 70
6.7. Operating and Storage Temperatures ...................................................................................... 71
6.8. Notification ................................................................................................................................ 71
6.8.1. Coating ........................................................................................................................... 71
6.8.2. Cleaning ......................................................................................................................... 71
7 Mechanical Dimensions and Packaging ......................................................................................... 72
7.1. Mechanical Dimensions ............................................................................................................ 72
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7.2. Top and Bottom Views .............................................................................................................. 73
7.3. M.2 Connector ........................................................................................................................... 73
7.4. Packaging ................................................................................................................................. 74
7.4.1. Blister Tray ..................................................................................................................... 74
7.4.2. Packaging Process ........................................................................................................ 75
8 Appendix A References ..................................................................................................................... 76
9 Appendix B Operating Frequency.................................................................................................... 80
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