Integration Manual
SARA-R4/N4 series - System Integration Manual
UBX-16029218 - R11 Design-in Page 119 of 157
Check 50 nominal characteristic impedance of the RF transmission line connected to the ANT
port (antenna RF interface).
Ensure no coupling occurs between the RF interface and noisy or sensitive signals (SIM signals,
high-speed digital lines such as USB, and other data lines).
Optimize placement for minimum length of RF line.
Check the footprint and paste mask designed for SARA-R4/N4 series module as illustrated in section
2.11.
VCC line should be enough wide and as short as possible.
Route VCC supply line away from RF line / part (refer to Figure 28) and other sensitive analog lines
/ parts.
The VCC bypass capacitors in the picoFarad range should be placed as close as possible to the VCC
pins, in particular if the application device integrates an internal antenna.
Ensure an optimal grounding connecting each GND pin with application board solid ground layer.
Use as many vias as possible to connect the ground planes on multilayer application board,
providing a dense line of vias at the edges of each ground area, in particular along RF and high
speed lines.
Keep routing short and minimize parasitic capacitance on the SIM lines to preserve signal integrity.
USB_D+ / USB_D- traces should meet the characteristic impedance requirement (90 differential
and 30 common mode) and should not be routed close to any RF line / part.
2.14.3 Antenna checklist
Antenna termination should provide 50 characteristic impedance with V.S.W.R at least less than
3:1 (recommended 2:1) on operating bands in deployment geographical area.
Follow the recommendations of the antenna producer for correct antenna installation and
deployment (PCB layout and matching circuitry).
Ensure compliance with any regulatory agency RF radiation requirement, as reported in section 4.2.2
for United States and in section 4.3.1 for Canada.
Ensure high isolation between the cellular antenna and any other antennas or transmitters present
on the end device.