MIKROE IRNSS Click is a compact add-on board that provides fast positioning capability. This board features the L89H, a high-performance IRNSS-enabled GNSS module capable of acquiring and tracking GPS, IRNSS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo, and QZSS signals from Quectel Wireless Solutions. The module can work at L1 and L5 bands with two embedded antennas simultaneously with a default configuration of GPS+Galileo+IRNSS. Compared with the GNSS module that works at the L1 band only, the L89H uses signals in default configuration to increase the number of visible satellites, reduce TTFF and enhance positioning accuracy, mainly when is used in rough urban environments. This Click board™ is suitable for both acquisition and tracking and represents an ideal product for automotive, consumer, and industrial tracking applications.

IRNSS Click is supported by a mikroSDK compliant library, which includes functions that simplify software development.

IRNSS Click as its foundation uses the L89H, a high-performance acquiring and tracking IRNSS-enabled GNSS module from Quectel Wireless Solutions. It achieves a high industrial level of sensitivity, accuracy, and TTFF with low power consumption. The embedded flash memory provides a capacity for storing user-specific configurations and allows for future updates. It is fully compliant with the EU RoHS directive supporting multiple positioning and navigation systems, including autonomous GPS, BeiDou, GLONASS, Galileo, IRNSS, SBAS (including WAAS, EGNOS, MSAS, and GAGAN), QZSS, DGPS, and AGPS.

IRNSS Click provides the possibility of using both UART and I2C interfaces. The UART interface supports data baud-rate from 4800bps to 921600bps, with 921600bps by default, while the I2C interface supports a fast mode of operation with a bit rate up to 400kbps. Alongside interface pins, this Click board™ also has a Reset feature routed to the RST pin on the mikroBUS™ socket, which with a low logic level, puts the module into a Reset state, and with a high level operates module normally. And with that, it also has a Wake-Up feature, routed to the PWM pin on the mikroBUS™ socket, which will force the module to wakes up from Backup mode.

This Click board™ uses five different LED indicators available for signal indication:

• Blue LED labeled as 3D_FIX turns on to indicate successful positioning after the L89H module is turned on
• Yellow LED labeled as PPS indicates one pulse per second synchronized to GNSS satellites. Keep in mind that PPS can be held even after losing the satellite signal by the internal RTC.
• Red LED labeled as JAM_IND represents a jamming detection indicator to detect whether any jammers may have an impact on the module
• Green LED labeled as ANT_DET indicates active antenna status - Orange LED labeled as GEO_FENCE indicates whether the module enters or exits the geo-fence

In the primary power supply failure case, the module can use a backup supply voltage from a connected battery. IRNSS Click can use an externally chargeable battery from the button cell battery holder, suitable for 12mm Coin Cell batteries if the SMD jumper labeled as BAT BYP is positioned to a position marked as CHG for uninterrupted operation. Otherwise, when the jumper is in a position labeled as BRD, the module is powered only by 3.3V from the board, and if the jumper is not even populated, then the module is powered from a non-chargeable battery.

The L89H module can be connected to a dedicated passive or active GNSS antenna with a built-in LNA for sensitivity improvement. IRNSS Click possesses a miniature coaxial N.FL series antenna connector which, in combination with a IPEX-SMA cable, allows connecting the appropriate antenna, such as a GNSS Active External Antenna or other external antennas for improved range and received signal strength.

This Click board™ can be operated only with a 3.3V logic voltage level. The board must perform appropriate logic voltage level conversion before use with MCUs with different logic levels. However, the Click board™ comes equipped with a library containing functions and an example code that can be used, as a reference, for further development.

• Interface: I²C, UART
• Compatibility: mikroBUS™
• Dimensions: 57.15 x 25.4mm
• Input Voltage: 3.3V
• Operating Frequency: 1.176 / 1.561 / 1.575 / 1.602 GHz
• Cold Start: <13 sec
• Acquisition Sensitivity: -147 dBm
• Tracking Sensitivity: -163 dBm
• Maximum Altitude Range: 18 km
• Operating Temperature Range: Min. -40°C, Typ. +25°C, Max. +85°C

• Schematic
• L89H Datasheet
• mikroSDK
• GitHub