u-blox NEO-8Q Series User Manual

NEO-8Q / NEO-M8 - Hardware Integration Manual
UBX-15029985 - R04 Production Information Migration to u-blox 8 / M8 modules
Page 17 of 31
3 Migration to u-blox 8 / M8 modules
3.1 Migrating u-blox 7 designs to NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 series modules
u-blox is committed to ensuring that products in the same form factor are backwards compatible over several
technology generations. Utmost care has been taken to ensure there is no negative impact on function or
performance and to make NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 series modules as fully compatible as possible with u-blox 7
modules. If using BeiDou, check the bandwidth of the external RF components and the antenna. For information
about power consumption, see the corresponding product data sheet in the Related documents.
It is highly advisable that customers consider a design review with the u-blox support team to ensure the
compatibility of key functionalities.
Selected pin names have been updated to agree with a common naming convention across u-blox modules.
The pins have not changed their operation and are the same physical hardware but with updated names.
3.2 Hardware migration NEO-6 -> NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 series
Pin
NEO-6
NEO-8Q and NEO-M8 series
Remarks for Migration
Pin Name
Typical
Assignment
Pin Name
Typical
Assignment
1
SAFEBOOT_N
Leave open.
SAFEBOOT_N
Leave open.
No difference
2
SS_N
SPI Slave Select
D_SEL
selects the
interface
-> Various functions, compatible only when not
using SPI for communication.
3
TIMEPULSE 1
Timepulse 1
(1PPS)
TIMEPULSE/
TIMEPULSE1
Timepulse1
No difference
4
EXTINT0
External Interrupt
Pin
EXTINT/
EXTINT0
External Interrupt
No difference
5
USB_DM
USB Data
USB_DM
USB Data
No difference
6
USB_DP
USB Data
USB_DP
USB Data
No difference
7
VDD_USB
USB Supply
VDD_USB
USB Supply
No difference
8
RESERVED
Pin 8 and 9
must be
connected
together.
RESET_N
Reset
If pin 8 is connected directly to pin 9, the RESET_N
function is not available. If the RESET_N function
shall be used, a 3k3 resistor from pin 8 to pin 9 in
conjunction with an open drain buffer is required
for u-blox 6. For NEO-8Q / NEO-M8 modules pin 8
can be connected to pin 9 or can be left open. Do
not populate the 3k3 resistor.
Behavior of RESET_N has changed; For u-blox 7
and M8, a RESET_N will erase the time
information in the BBR, which has maintained in
u-blox 6. Therefore, with u-blox 7 and M8 a
RESET_N will not result in a hot start, etc.
9
VCC_RF
Can be used for
active antenna or
external LNA
supply.
VCC_RF
Can be used for
active antenna or
external LNA
supply.
No difference
10
GND
GND
GND
GND
No difference
11
RF_IN
GNSS signal
input
RF_IN
GNSS signal input
No difference
12
GND
GND
GND
GND
No difference
13
GND
GND
GND
GND
No difference
14
MOSI/
CFG_COM0
SPI MOSI /
Configuration
Pin.
Leave open if
not used.
LNA_EN
Used to turn on
and off an
optional external
LNA
LNA_EN (Active Antenna Control) can be used to
turn on and off an optional external LNA.
-> Different functions, no SPI MOSI and
configuration pins with NEO-8Q / NEO-M8. If not
used as default configuration, it must be set using
software command!
It is not possible to migrate from NEO-6 to NEO-
8Q / NEO-M8, if NEO-6 pin 14 is connected to
GND. In this case, migrate to NEO-M8M!

u-blox NEO-8Q Series Specifications

General

Brand	u-blox
Model	NEO-8Q Series
Category	Control Unit
Language	English