Boron Datasheet (v001) Functional description OVERVIEW The Boron LTE is a powerful LTE CAT-M1/NB1 enabled development kit that can act as either a standalone cellular endpoint or LTE enabled gateway for Particle Mesh networks. It is based on the Nordic nRF52840 and has built-in battery charging circuitry so it's easy to connect a Li-Po and deploy your local network in minutes. The Boron is great for connecting existing projects to the Particle Device Cloud or as a gateway to connect an entire group of local endpoints where Wi-Fi is missing or unreliable. FEATURES u-blox SARA R410 LTE modem (Boron LTE) LTE CAT M1/ NB1 module with global hardware support (MVNO support for US only) 3GPP Release 13 LTE Cat M1 u-blox SARA U201 2G/3G modem (Boron 2G/3G) HSPA/GSMqq with global hardware and SIM support Bands 800/850/900/1900/2100 MHz 3GPP Release 7 Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 SoC ARM Cortex-M4F 32-bit processor @ 64MHz 1MB flash, 256KB RAM IEEE 802.15.4-2006: 250 Kbps Bluetooth 5: 2 Mbps, 1 Mbps, 500 Kbps, 125 Kbps Supports DSP instructions, HW accelerated Floating Point Unit (FPU) calculations ARM TrustZone CryptoCell-310 Cryptographic and security module Up to +8 dBm TX power (down to -20 dBm in 4 dB steps) NFC-A tag On-board additional 2MB SPI flash 20 mixed signal GPIO (6 x Analog, 8 x PWM), UART, I2C, SPI Micro USB 2.0 full speed (12 Mbps) Integrated Li-Po charging and battery connector JTAG (SWD) Connector RGB status LED Reset and Mode buttons Dual SIM support: Nano 4FF and MFF2 On-board PCB antenna u.FL connector for external antenna Meets the Adafruit Feather specification in dimensions and pinout FCC and PTCRB certified RoHS compliant (lead-free) Interfaces BLOCK DIAGRAM POWER USB PORT The USB port is the easiest way to power up the Boron. Please make sure that the USB port is able to provided at least 500mA. Power from the USB is regulated down to 3.3V by the on board Torex XC9258A step-down regulator. For powering the Boron 2G/3G version, you'll either need a USB port that is able support 2A current, or have the LiPo battery plugged in when powering over USB. This is because the on-board u-blox modem can consumes up to 1.8A peak current when operating in 2G mode. The Boron will intelligently source power from the USB most of the time and keep the battery charged. During peak current requirements, the additional power will be sourced from the battery. This reduces the charge-discharge cycle load on the battery, thus improving its longevity. VUSB PIN The pin is internally connected to the VBUS of the USB port. The nominal output should be around 4.5 to 5 VDC when the device is plugged into the USB port and 0 when not connected to a USB source. You can use this pin to power peripherals that operate at such voltages. Do not exceed the current rating of the USB port, which is nominally rated to 500mA. LiPo If you want to make your projects truly wireless, you can power the device with a single cell LiPo (3.7V). The Boron has an on board LiPo charger that will charge and power the device when USB source is plugged in, or power the device from the LiPo alone in the absence of the USB. {{box op="start" cssClass="boxed warningBox"}} NOTE: Please pay attention to the polarity of the LiPo connector. Not all LiPo batteries follow the same polarity convention! {{box op="end"}} Li+ PIN This pin is internally connected to the positive terminal of the LiPo connector. You can connect a single cell LiPo/Lithium Ion or a DC supply source to this pin for powering the Boron. Remember that the input voltage range on this pin is 3.6 to 4.2 VDC. For the Boron 2G/3G version, make sure that the external DC supply is able to support 2A peak current reauirments. 3V3 PIN This pin is the output of the on board 3.3V step-down switching regulator (Torex XC9258A). The regulator is rated at 1000mA max. When using this pin to power other devices or peripherals remember to budget in the current requirement of the Boron first. Unlike the Xenon or the Argon, this pin CANNOT be used to power the Boron. ANTENNA There are two radios on the Boron. A Mesh radio (nRF52840) and a cellular radio (u-blox). For the cellular radio, we have provide a u.FL connector to plug in the cellular antenna. This is required if you wish to use the cellular connectivity. There are two options for the Mesh antenna on the Boron. It comes with an on-board PCB antenna which is selected by default in the device OS and a u.FL connector if you wish to connect an external antenna. If you wish to use the external antenna, you'll need to issue an appropriate command in the firmware. FCC APPROVED ANTENNAS Mesh Particle Device Frequency Boron Antenna Type Manufacturer MFG. Part # Gain 2400-2500 MHz PCB Antenna Particle ANT-FLXV2 2.0dBi peak Cellular Particle Device Frequency Boron Antenna Type Manufacturer MFG. Part # 698-3000 MHz PCB Antenna Taoglas Gain FXUB63.07.0150C 5.00dBi peak PERIPHERALS AND GPIO Peripheral Type Qty Input(I) / Output(O) Digital 20 I/O Analog (ADC) 6 I UART 1 I/O SPI 1 I/O I2C 2 I/O USB 1 I/O PWM 8 O Note: All GPIOs are only rated at 3.3VDC max. SWD The Boron has a dedicated 10 pin debug connector that exposes the SWD interface of the nRF5280. This interface can be used to debug your code or reprogram your Boron bootloader, device OS, or the user firmware using any standard SWD tools including our Mesh Debugger. Memory map NRF52840 FLASH LAYOUT OVERVIEW Bootloader (48KB, @0xF4000) User Application (128KB, @0xD4000) System (656KB, @0x30000) SoftDevice (192KB) EXTERNAL SPI FLASH LAYOUT OVERVIEW (DFU OFFSET: 0X80000000) OTA (1500KB, @0x00289000) Reserved (420KB, @0x00220000) FAC (128KB, @0x00200000) LittleFS (2M, @0x00000000) Pins and button definitions PIN MARKINGS PINOUT DIAGRAM You can download a high resolution PDF version of the pin out here. PIN DESCRIPTION Pin Description Li+ This pin is internally connected to the positive terminal of the LiPo battery connector. VUSB This pin is internally connected to the USB (+ve) supply. 3V3 This pin is the output of the on-board 3.3V regulator. GND System ground pin. EN Device enable pin is internally pulled-up. To disable the device, connect this pin to GND. RST Active-low system reset input. This pin is internally pulled-up. MD This pin is internally connected to the MODE button. The MODE function is active-low. RX Primarily used as UART RX, but can also be used as a digital GPIO. TX Primarily used as UART TX, but can also be used as a digital GPIO. SDA Primarily used as data pin for I2C, but can also be used as a digital GPIO. SCL Primarily used as clock pin for I2C, but can also be used as a digital GPIO. MO,MI,SCK These are the SPI interface pins, but can also be used as a digital GPIO. D2-D8 These are generic GPIO pins. D2-D8 are PWM-able. A0-A5 These are analog input pins that can also act as standard digital GPIO. A0-A5 are PWM-able. LED STATUS System RGB LED For a detailed explanation of different color codes of the RGB system LED, please take a look here. Charge status LED State Description ON Charging in progress OFF Charging complete Blink at 1Hz Fault condition[1] Rapid blinking Battery disconnected[2] Notes: [1] A fault condition can occur due to several reasons, for example, battery over/under voltage, temperature fault or safety timer fault. You can find the root cause by reading the fault register of the power management IC in firmware. [2] You can stop this behavior by either plugging in the LiPo battery or by disabling charging using firmware command: PMIC().disableCharging(); . Technical specifications ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS [1] Parameter Symbol Min Typ Max Unit Supply Input Voltage VIN-MAX +6.2 V Battery Input Voltage VLiPo +6.5 V Supply Output Current I3V3-MAX-L 1000 mA Storage Temperature Tstg +75 C 1 kV -30 ESD Susceptibility HBM (Human Body Mode) VESD [1] Stresses beyond those listed under absolute maximum ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. These are stress ratings only, and functional operation of the device at these or any other conditions beyond those indicated under recommended operating conditions is not implied. Exposure to absolute-maximum-rated conditions for extended periods may affect device reliability. RECOMMENDED OPERATING CONDITIONS Parameter Symbol Min Typ LiPo Battery Voltage VLiPo +3.3 Supply Input Voltage V3V3 +3.0 Supply Output Voltage V3V3 +3.3 Operating Current (uC on, Radio ON) ILi+ avg 100 Peak Current (Boron LTE) ILi+ pk 120 Peak Current (Boron 2G/3G) ILi+ pk 800[1] Operating Current (uC on, Radio OFF) ILi+ avg 6 60 mA Operating Current (EN pin = LOW) Idisable 70 75 uA Sleep Current (4.2V LiPo, Radio OFF) IQs TBD TBD mA Deep Sleep Current (4.2V LiPo, Radio OFF) IQds TBD TBD uA Operating Temperature Top +60 C 95 % +3.3 -20 Notes: 3G operation [2] 2G operation RADIO SPECIFICATIONS Boron has two radio modules. Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 for Mesh. Feature Unit +4.4 V +3.6 V V 200 mA 490 mA 1800[2] mA Humidity Range Non condensing, relative humidity [1] Max Description Operating Frequencies 2360 to 2500 MHz Output Power Programmable -20dBm to +8dBm PLL channel spacing 1 MHz On the air data rate 125 to 2000 kbps u-blox SARA U201 (2G/3G) and R410 (LTE) for cellular. BORON Compatible Countries 2G/3G Worldwide LTE USA only I/O CHARACTERISTICS These specifications are based on the nRF52840 datasheet. Parameter Symbol Conditions Min Typ Max Unit Input high voltage VIH 0.7*3.3 -- 3.3 V Input low voltage VIL 0 0.3*3.3 V Current at GND+0.4 V, output set low, high drive IOL,HDL V3V3 >= 2.7V 6 10 15 mA Current at V3V3-0.4 V, output set high, high drive IOH,HDH V3V3 >= 2.7V 6 9 14 mA Pull-up resistance RPU 11 13 16 k Pull-down resistance RPD 11 13 16 k Mechanical specifications DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT Weight = 10 grams MATING CONNECTORS The Boron uses two single row 0.1" pitch male header pins. One of them is 16 pin while the other is 12 pin. It can be mounted with matching 0.1" pitch female headers with a typical height of 0.335" (8.5mm). When you search for parts like these it can be difficult to navigate the thousands of parts available online so here are a few good choices for the Boron: Description MFG MFG Part Number 16-pin 0.1" (2.54mm) Female Header Sullins PPTC161LFBN-RC 16-pin 0.1" (2.54mm) Female Header TE 6-535541-4 12-pin 0.1" (2.54mm) Female Header Sullins PPTC121LFBN-RC 12-pin 0.1" (2.54mm) Female Header TE 6-534237-0 Recommended PCB land pattern The Boron can be directly soldered onto the PCB or be mounted with the above mentioned female headers. Schematic The complete schematic and board files are open source and available on Particle's GitHub repository here. POWER NRF52840 U-BLOX SIM SPI FLASH FUEL GAUGE INTERFACES Ordering information Borons are available from store.particle.io in single quantities in 2G/3G and LTE versions. Qualification and approvals BORON LTE Model Number: BRN402 RoHS CE PTCRB FCC ID: 2AEMI-BRN402 IC: 20127-BRN402 BORON 2G/3G Model Number: BRN310 RoHS CE FCC ID: 2AEMI-BRN310 IC: 20127-BRN310 Product Handling ESD PRECAUTIONS The Boron contains highly sensitive electronic circuitry and is an Electrostatic Sensitive Device (ESD). Handling Boron without proper ESD protection may destroy or damage it permanently. Proper ESD handling and packaging procedures must be applied throughout the processing, handling and operation of any application that incorporates Boron. ESD precautions should be implemented on the application board where the Boron is mounted. Failure to observe these precautions can result in severe damage to the Boron! CONNECTORS There are four connectors on the Boron that will get damaged with improper usage. The JST connector on the circuit board, where you plug in the LiPo battery, is very durable but the connector on the battery itself is not. When unplugging the battery, take extra precaution to NOT pull the connector using the wires, but instead hold the plug at its base to avoid putting stress on the wires. This can be tricky with bare hands - nose pliers are your friend here. The micro B USB connector on the Boron is soldered on the PCB with large surface pads as well as couple of through hole anchor points. Despite this reinforcement, it is very easy to rip out the connector if too much stress is put on in the vertical direction. The u.FL antenna connector is a very fragile piece of hardware ( and is fancy too with all the gold plating). The connector was not designed to be constantly plugged and unplugged. Care must be taken not to put stress on it at any time (yes, swinging the Boron by the antenna is a very bad idea, this is not your cat). The antenna pin is also the most static sensitive and you can destroy the radio with improper handling. If you are feeling adventurous, we highly recommend putting a tiny dab of glue (epoxy, rubber cement, liquid tape or hot glue) on the connector to securely hold the plug in place. The 10 pin SWD connector provides an easy in-system debugging access to the device. The pins on the connector can easily be damaged if the mating connector cable is inserted improperly. If you are trying to debug the device, you probably are not in a good mood to begin with. The last thing you want is to render the connector useless. Be nice, and be gentle on the connector. Good luck with the debugging! BREADBOARDING The breadboard provided with the Boron is specifically designed to require low insertion force. This makes it easy to plug the Boron in and out of the breadboard. If you end up using a different breadboard, remember that it may require more force. In this case, always remember to pinchhold your precious Boron by the sides (along the header pins) when plugging-unplugging and not by the USB connector (don't be this person). Default settings The Boron comes preprogrammed with a bootloader and a user application called Tinker. This application works with an iOS and Android app also named Tinker that allows you to very easily toggle digital pins, take analog and digital readings and drive variable PWM outputs. The bootloader allows you to easily update the user application via several different methods, USB, OTA, Serial Y-Modem, and also internally via the Factory Reset procedure. All of these methods have multiple tools associated with them as well. FCC IC CE Warnings and End Product Labeling Requirements Federal Communication Commission Interference Statement This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one of the following measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna. Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help. FCC Caution: Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause harmful interference, and 2. This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. FCC Radiation Exposure Statement: This equipment complies with FCC radiation exposure limits set forth for an uncontrolled environment. This transmitter module must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter. This End equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and your body. IMPORTANT NOTE: In the event that these conditions can not be met (for example certain laptop configurations or co-location with another transmitter), then the FCC authorization is no longer considered valid and the FCC ID can not be used on the final product. In these circumstances, the OEM integrator will be responsible for re-evaluating the end product (including the transmitter) and obtaining a separate FCC authorization. End Product Labeling The final end product must be labeled in a visible area with the following: Contains FCC ID: 2AEMI-BRN402 (BORON LTE) Contains FCC ID: 2AEMI-BRN310 (BORON 2G/3G) Manual Information to the End User The OEM integrator has to be aware not to provide information to the end user regarding how to install or remove this RF module in the user's manual of the end product which integrates this module. Canada Statement This device complies with Industry Canada's licence-exempt RSSs. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1. This device may not cause interference; and 2. This device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device. Le present appareil est conforme aux CNR d'Industrie Canada applicables aux appareils radio exempts de licence. L'exploitation est autorisee aux deux conditions suivantes: 1. l'appareil ne doit pas produire de brouillage; 2. l'utilisateur de l'appareil doit accepter tout brouillage radioelectrique subi, meme si le brouillage est susceptible d'en compromettre le fonctionnement. Caution Exposure: This device meets the exemption from the routine evaluation limits in section 2.5 of RSS102 and users can obtain Canadian information on RF exposure and compliance. Le dispositif repond a l'exemption des limites d'evaluation de routine dans la section 2.5 de RSS102 et les utilisateurs peuvent obtenir des renseignements canadiens sur l'exposition aux RF et le respect. The final end product must be labelled in a visible area with the following: The Industry Canada certification label of a module shall be clearly visible at all times when installed in the host device, otherwise the host device must be labelled to display the Industry Canada certification number of the module, preceded by the words "Contains transmitter module", or the word "Contains", or similar wording expressing the same meaning, as follows: Contains transmitter module IC: 20127-BRN402 (BORON LTE) Contains transmitter module IC: 20127-BRN310 (BORON 2G/3G) This End equipment should be installed and operated with a minimum distance of 20 centimeters between the radiator and your body. Cet equipement devrait etre installe et actionne avec une distance minimum de 20 centimetres entre le radiateur et votre corps. The end user manual shall include all required regulatory information/warning as shown in this manual. Revision history Revision Date v001 Author Comments 26 Oct 2018 MB Initial release Known Errata Contact Web https://www.particle.io Community Forums https://community.particle.io Email https://support.particle.io