
Text extracted from the exhibit documents filed with the FCC. Open a document above to read the original.
Revision 1.0 STX3 Users Manual 11/5/2013 Revision 1.0 Subject To Change without Notice P a g e | 1 STX3 Users Manual Revision 1.0 STX3 Users Manual 11/5/2013 Revision 1.0 Subject To Change without Notice P a g e | 2 Table of Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................... 3 1.2 Applicable Documents ............................................................................................................................................ 3 1.3 Description .............................................................................................................................................................. 3 2 Application ...................................................................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Theory of Operation ................................................................................................................................................ 4 2.2 Block Diagram ......................................................................................................................................................... 6 3 Physical Charactersistics ................................................................................................................................................. 8 4 Application Programming Interface .............................................................................................................................. 11 4.1 Serial Port .............................................................................................................................................................. 11 4.2 Serial Packet Mode ............................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.1 Serial Packet Format ..................................................................................................................................... 12 4.2.2 Serial Packet Commands ............................................................................................................................... 13 4.2.2.1 Send Data (0x00) ....................................................................................................................................... 13 4.2.2.2 Query Electronic Serial Number (ESN) (0x00) ........................................................................................... 13 4.2.2.3 Abort Transmission (0x03) ........................................................................................................................ 14 4.2.2.4 Query Bursts Remaining (0x04) ................................................................................................................ 14 4.2.2.5 Query Firmware Version (0x05) ................................................................................................................ 14 4.2.2.6 Setup (0x06) .............................................................................................................................................. 15 4.2.2.7 Query Setup (0x07) ................................................................................................................................... 15 4.2.2.8 Query Hardware Version (0x09) ............................................................................................................... 16 4.3 Example CRC calculation routines for serial packets ............................................................................................ 18 4.4 AT commands ........................................................................................................................................................ 20 5 Test Modes .................................................................................................................................................................... 23 6 REGULATORY APPROVAL .............................................................................................................................................. 25 6.1 Radio Astronomy Site Avoidance .......................................................................................................................... 25 6.2 Regulatory Notices ................................................................................................................................................ 25 Revision 1.0 STX3 Users Manual 11/5/2013 Revision 1.0 Subject To Change without Notice P a g e | 3 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose This document describes the physical, electrical, and functional characteristics of the STX3 satellite transmitter module. The information contained in this document is intended to provide the end user with the necessary technical information required to use the module in a custom application. This document is intended to be used by engineers and technical management and assumes a general knowledge of basic engineering practices by the user. 1.2 Applicable Documents 1.3 Description The STX 3 is a simplex Satellite transmitter designed to send small packets of user defined data to a network of low earth orbiting (LEO) satellites using the Globalstar simplex satellite network. The received data is then forwarded to a user defined network interface that may be in the form of an FTP host or HTTP host where the user will interpret the data for further processing. The STX3 is a surface mount module designed to attach to a user defined host PCB which must provide power, an RF connection to the transmit antenna, and communications with a host processor which will control the operation of the STX3. All electrical connect…
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300 Holiday Square Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 www.globalstar.com Letter of Attestation for Product Naming and Product ID To whom it may concern: Globalstar has created a satellite transmitter product for the purposes of transmitting user defined information via the Globalstar satellite network. This product will be known as the STX3. This is a 3 rd generation product in the simplex transmitter series. Previous devices in this family are the G-SENS-STU and the STX2 Ronnie Tanner Principal Engineer 4/29/2013
300 Holiday Square Blvd. Covington, LA 70433 www.globalstar.com Request for Confidentiality Date: 6/4/2013 Subject: Confidentiality Request for: FCC ID: L2V-STX3 IC ID: IC: IC:3989A-STX3 Pursuant to FCC 47 CRF 0.457(d) and 0.459 and IC RSP-100, Section 10, the applicant requests that a part of the subject FCC/IC application be held confidential. Type of Confidentiality Requested Exhibit Short Term Permanent Block Diagrams Short Term External Photos Short Term Internal Photos Short Term Permanent Operation Description/Theory of Operation Short Term Permanent Parts List & Placement/BOM Short Term Permanent Tune-Up Procedure Short Term Permanent Schematics Short Term Test Setup Photos Short Term User’s Manual Globalstar, Inc has spent substantial effort in developing this product and it is one of the first of its kind in industry. Having the subject information easily available to "competition" would negate the advantage they have achieved by developing this product. Not protecting the details of the design will result in financial hardship. Permanent Confidentiality: The applicant requests the exhibits listed above as permanently confidential be permanently withheld from public review due to materials that contain trade secrets and proprietary information not customarily released to the public. Short-Term Confidentiality: The applicant requests the exhibits selected above as short term confidential be withheld from public view for a period of 45 days from the date of the Grant of Equipment Authorization and prior to marketing. This is to avoid premature release of sensitive information prior to marketing or release of the product to the public. Applicant is also aware that they are responsible to notify Compliance Testing in the event information regarding the product or the product is made available to the public. Compliance Testing will then release the documents listed above for public disclosure pursuant to FCC Public Notice DA 04-1705. Sincerely, Signature: Print Name: Ronnie Tanner Title: Principal Engineer
1. The radio elements must have the radio frequency circuitry shielded. Physical components and tuning capacitor(s) may be located external to the shield, but must be on the module assembly; All components are located beneath a common shield. 2. The module must have buffered modulation/data inputs to ensure that the device will comply with Part 15 requirements with any type of input signal; There are no external modulation/data inputs. The device provides a TTL asynchronous serial port to the host processor which allows the device to be configured for operation and also allows the host device to provide the data to be contained in the transmitted payload. All data received via the serial port is buffered (stored in memory) by the ASIC microprocessor (internal to the ASIC) to be accessed when the actual transmission is generated using the RF processor (internal to the ASIC) and cannot affect the RF modulation or data rate or the RF transmission characteristics in any way. The modulation and data rates are fixed internally by the ASIC RF processor and cannot be affected by any external input. 3. The module must contain power supply regulation on the module; The module contains an internal regulated power supply. 4. The module must contain a permanently attached antenna, or contain a unique antenna connector, and be marketed and operated only with specific antenna(s), per Sections 15.203, 15.204(b), 15.204(c), 15.212(a), 2.929(b); Paragraph 6.2 of the User’s Manual contains detailed instructions for the use of the specified antenna which satisfies the above requirements for single modular approval. “The module provides a surface mount pad for the RF output which must be internally attached passively via the PCB to the approved antenna. No antenna connector or any other antenna may be used. In order for any device to obtain certification from Globalstar for use on the Globalstar satellite network under this modular approval, this condition must be met.” Manufacturer Part Number Polarization Center Frequency(MHz) Peak Gain(dB) Spectrum PA25-1615-025SA LHCP 1615 .25 3.0 These requirements are enforced as part of the Globalstar certification process whereby any device utilizing the STX3 module must be submitted to Globalstar for approval prior to being approved for provisioning for operation on the Globalstar satellite network. Adherence to these requirements is an integral part of the Globalstar certification process. Since the intent of item 4 above is to ensure that only the approved antenna can be used with the STX3 (as reflected in the accepted use of a “unique connector”), the Globalstar certification and provisioning process constitutes a more stringent enforcement of item 4 than merely requiring a “unique connector”. In summary, Globalstar will not certify ANY device using the STX3 module UNLESS the approved antenna is passively connected to the STX3 on a single circuit board. This meets the requirement 4 for Single Modular Approval. 5. The module must demonstrate compliance in a stand-alone configuration; All compliance testing is accomplished with no external components; only power, antenna, and grounded or floating test pins. FCC KDB 996369 D01Module Guide defines a split-modular device as follows: Split-modular transmitter: a RF transmission system that complies with the requirements for a single- modular transmitter, that is separated into a radio front-end section and a control-element section, and can demonstrate compliance for a range of similar type hosts; Since the STX3 contains all RF (including power amplifiers) and digital circuitry in a single integrated circuit, this device does NOT meet the requirements as a split-modular device. 6. The module must be labeled with its permanently affixed FCC ID label, or use an electronic display The module will contain a FCC ID label. FCC ID: L2V-STX3 7. The module must comply with all specific rules applicable to the transmitter. The grantee must provide comprehensive instructions to explain compliance requirements; All applicable rules will be provided in the user manual for the transmitter 8. The module must comply with RF exposure requirements. For any transmitters intended for use in portable devices, SAR compliance must be demonstrated to be independent of the host device. See KDB Publication 447498 as a guide to determine if a transmitter can be tested without being limited to a host device. If SAR compliance can only be demonstrated in specific host types or platforms, then the module type must be “limited.” Device will be demonstrated to comply with SAR (mobile devices) independent of host device. This device is not intended for use in portable devices. See RF Exposure Info document.
Page 1 of 3 FCC ID: L2V-STX3 IC ID: 3989A-STX3 CT Project: p1320003 From: Chris Harvey Date: October 2, 2013 1. Please update the Block Diagram exhibit to include the frequencies of operation for this transmitter. Spot - Corrected 2. Please revise the FCC Modular Approval letter to include the FCC ID of this device. Spot – This is in the process of being revised, and will be submitted shortly 3. Even though the Form 731 exhibit does not get uploaded, the FCC ID on the Form 731 provided to me is missing the ‘-‘ that is present in other exhibits. CT – Revised form 731 4. The exhibit named FCC Label has guidance on labeling the host device, but the FCC ID number has typos in 2 instances (LV2-STX3 and L2V-TSX3-1 are both wrong). Also, the IC number referenced on page 3 has additional characters ‘-1’ which are not part of the IC number for this application. This same issue is also found in the User’s Manual exhibit. Spot - Corrected 5. The manual also states that the device complies with FCC 15.247 and 15.249, which has not been documented in this application. Please correct the manual. Spot - Corrected 6. The Schematic Diagram exhibit shows module connections PB4 and PB5 that go to GPSTx and GPSRx locations on the board, which seems to imply that this device has a GPS Transmitting device. Please clarify what these connections are and what they are used for. Additionally there are U1Tx and U1Rx points that go to Tx and Rx points on the board. Spot – Updated to show the host serial port & unused pins 7. The RF Exposure brief indicates 0.139 W but the Form 731 shows 0.192W. Please determine the correct power and update the exhibit(s) as needed. CT – The RF Exposure Info data of .139 W is the maximum expected output power prior to the antenna gain calculation. 8. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device does not have Digital Inputs that are supposed to be buffered, but the Block Diagram shows Serial TTL input to this device. Please correct the Modular Approval letter and indicate if this device complies with the Buffered input requirement. Spot - Part 15-212 states: “..(ii) The modular transmitter must have buffered modulation/data inputs (if such inputs are provided) to ensure that the module will comply with part 15 requirements under conditions of excessive data rates or over- modulation. ..“ Page 2 of 3 There are no inputs to the STX3 that can affect either the RF modulation or the data rate of the transmissions. The TTL serial lines are for configuration and command functions only. All on-air data packets and the baseband/RF modulation is generated independently by the on-board ASIC. 9. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device has a unique Antenna Connector, but this appears to have a pin on the PCB for connection to an antenna trace. There is FCC Guidance on Licensed Modules and for Trace Antenna compliance, but due to the US Government shutdown, I cannot determine the KDB numbers. Spot - The module is not approved for use with an antenna trace under this application. This device is only approved for use with the specified ceramic patch antenna. The pin on the board is to be connected directly to the specified antenna. 10. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device will be demonstrated to comply with SAR requirements, but the IC RF Exposure exhibit shows compliance with only mobile RF Exposure category MPE calculations with a 4dBi worst case antenna gain..... Spot - The module is intended to be approved as a mobile device. Portable devices will require a separate approval by the OEM. 11. The FCC MPE exhibit indicates 0.192W EIRP, but that seems to be the conducted power from the report. This exhibit also does not mention antenna gain. Also, the duty factor is stated as 0.96%, but this is not justified in other exhibits. Please note that if a very low duty cycle is used to demonstrate RF Exposure compliance, then the FCC will require a PBA. CT – 0.192 W is the EIRP value including the 3dB gain of the Antenna as stated in the Test Report 12. Please provide clear Installation Guidance that will be provided to the OEM installers to address all antenna trace manufacturing requirements, antenna selection and installation separation distance requirements. Spot – Section 6 of the STX3 User’s Manual has been modified to further clarify the antenna requirements 13. Some exhibits indicate 4dBi gain (such as manual) and some exhibit mention 3dBi gain (such as RSS-102 MPE and RF report) and some don’t mention antenna gain at all. The application exhibits must be consistent. CT – User’s Manual has been corrected. 14. In RF Test Report, a. At page 7 of the report for Power limit testing, please verify the stated limit and correct as needed. b. At page 8 of the report for “Emissions Limitations for Mobile Earth Stations”, the test result doesn’t fit with 15.202(f) description. Please verify and provide appropriate rule parts for the testing. CT – a) Limit has been corrected. b) The rule part for “Emissions Limitations for Mobile Earth Stations” is 25.202(f) as listed. IC items: Industry Canada requires the Model Number to be located on the label in accordance with RSP-100 Spot – 4. Labelling of Certified Radio Equipment Certified radio equipment shall be labelled in accordance with the Category I equipment labelling requirements of RSS-Gen. RSS-Gen 3.2.1 Labelling Requirements for the Host device The host device shall be properly labelled to identify the modules within the host device. Page 3 of 3 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: XXXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY where XXXXXX-YYYYYYYYYYY is the module's c…
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Page 1 of 2 FCC ID: L2V-STX3 IC ID: 3989A-STX3 CT Project: p1320003 From: Chris Harvey Date: November 6, 2013 Original 6. The Schematic Diagram exhibit shows module connections PB4 and PB5 that go to GPSTx and GPSRx locations on the board, which seems to imply that this device has a GPS Transmitting device. Please clarify what these connections are and what they are used for. Additionally there are U1Tx and U1Rx points that go to Tx and Rx points on the board. Spot – Updated to show the host serial port & unused pins Continued Q6. Just removing the letters GPS from GPStx does not help without further explanation. Now this just raises the question about what the Tx is. Is this the Tx for the fundamental transmitter, or is this another transmitter in the schematic? They need to further explain what the traces are for as we requested in the original question. Spot – The previous version of the schematic which had labels with references to GPS was an early pre-production print. The original concept was to provide a dedicated serial port which would allow the host to provide GPS NMEA to the STX3 separately from the host serial interface. This feature was never implemented and this serial port was then assigned to the host interface. I have added excerpts from the User’s Manual and have annotated some additional information in the descriptions. Original 8. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device does not have Digital Inputs that are supposed to be buffered, but the Block Diagram shows Serial TTL input to this device. Please correct the Modular Approval letter and indicate if this device complies with the Buffered input requirement. Spot - Part 15-212 states: “..(ii) The modular transmitter must have buffered modulation/data inputs (if such inputs are provided) to ensure that the module will comply with part 15 requirements under conditions of excessive data rates or over-modulation. ..“ There are no inputs to the STX3 that can affect either the RF modulation or the data rate of the transmissions. The TTL serial lines are for configuration and command functions only. All on-air data packets and the baseband/RF modulation is generated independently by the on-board ASIC. Continued Q8. Their Modular Letter needs to include this explanation about the serial port use and the fact that this data cannot impact modulation or data rates because the device apparently DOES have data ports that are not buffered. The modular letter needs to be updated. Spot – As we stated, the STX3 has no un-buffered pins which can affect the modulation or data rates of the RF signal being generated. Detailed information has been added to the Modular Checklist. 9. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device has a unique Antenna Connector, but this appears to have a pin on the PCB for connection to an antenna trace. There is FCC Guidance on Licensed Modules and for Trace Antenna compliance, but due to the US Government shutdown, I cannot determine the KDB numbers. Spot - The module is not approved for use with an antenna trace under this application. This device is only approved for use with the specified ceramic patch antenna. The pin on the board is to be connected directly to the specified antenna. Continued Q9. The module does not have an RF connector and relies on an installation to a host that contains a connection to a pin that has a trace to some antenna connector. In order to NOT have an antenna or antenna connector on the module, there MUST be control over installation, and the installation guidance MUST be part of this application review. This cannot be a regular Modular Approval, but must be a Limiter Modular Approval because this item #4 of the Modular Approval cover letter is NOT met. Page 2 of 2 Spot - Paragraph 6.2 of the User’s Manual contains detailed instructions for the installation and use of the specified antenna which satisfies the requirements for a limited modular approval. These instructions are enforced as part of the Globalstar certification process whereby any device utilizing the STX3 module must be submitted to Globalstar for approval prior to being provisioned for operation on the Globalstar satellite network. Adherence to these requirements is an integral part of the Globalstar certification process. Modular item #4. “The modular transmitter must comply with the antenna requirements of Section 15.203 and 15.204(c). The antenna must either be permanently attached or employ a “unique” antenna coupler (at all connections between the module and the antenna, including the cable). Any antenna used with the module must be approved with the module, either at the time of initial authorization or through a Class II permissive change. The “professional installation” provision of Section 15.203 may not be applied to modules. CT – Noted 13. Some exhibits indicate 4dBi gain (such as manual) and some exhibit mention 3dBi gain (such as RSS-102 MPE and RF report) and some don’t mention antenna gain at all. The application exhibits must be consistent. CT – User’s Manual has been corrected. Continued Q13 All exhibits that mentioned the 3dBi antenna gain need to be corrected and recalculated with the 4dBi value. Spot – Please indicate the exact location of any reference to 4dB. The updated exhibits reference only the 3 dB value. RF Exposure Info 3dB Users Manual 3dB PA25-1615-025SA Data Sheet 3dB Response by: Spot, LLC Submitted by: Amanda Reed Date: November 11, 2013
Page 1 of 3 FCC ID: L2V-STX3 IC ID: 3989A-STX3 CT Project: p1320003 From: Chris Harvey Date: November 11, 2013 Amanda, thank you for the response. We are getting closer but not yet there. The new comments from me are in GREEN. 9. The FCC Modular Approval letter indicates that this device has a unique Antenna Connector, but this appears to have a pin on the PCB for connection to an antenna trace. There is FCC Guidance on Licensed Modules and for Trace Antenna compliance, but due to the US Government shutdown, I cannot determine the KDB numbers. Spot - The module is not approved for use with an antenna trace under this application. This device is only approved for use with the specified ceramic patch antenna. The pin on the board is to be connected directly to the specified antenna. Continued Q9. The module does not have an RF connector and relies on an installation to a host that contains a connection to a pin that has a trace to some antenna connector. In order to NOT have an antenna or antenna connector on the module, there MUST be control over installation, and the installation guidance MUST be part of this application review. This cannot be a regular Modular Approval, but must be a Limiter Modular Approval because this item #4 of the Modular Approval cover letter is NOT met. Modular item #4.“The modular transmitter must comply with the antenna requirements of Section 15.203 and 15.204(c). The antenna must either be permanently attached or employ a “unique” antenna coupler (at all connections between the module and the antenna, including the cable). Any antenna used with the module must be approved with the module, either at the time of initial authorization or through a Class II permissive change. The “professional installation” provision of Section 15.203 may not be applied to modules. CH 11-11-13 According to the FCC KDB 996369 D01Module Guide: Question 11: Can a module be certified where the host device must use a micro-strip trace on the host’s printed circuit board to an antenna connector or a trace antenna on the host circuit board? Answer 11: A modular transmitter may be certified when the connection to the antenna is made through a host’s printed board micro-strip trace layout to an external connector, trace antenna or component (chip) antenna on a printed circuit board (herein referenced as “ trace design”). This can be extended to include passive parts for antenna attenuation padding, impedance matching or providing test ports. Other components such as amplifiers and active drivers are not considered a trace layout and must be contained on the module. The Form 731 application shall include detailed engineering reference designs for the trace design in addition to the required OEM instructions (see Comprehensive integration instructions above) for all trace designs approved with the module. In particular the integration instructions shall include the following: 1. Trace layout and dimensions including specific designs for each type: a. Layout of trace design, parts, antenna, connectors and isolation requirements; b. Boundary limits of size, thickness, length, width, shape(s) dielectric constant, and impedance must be clearly described for each type antenna; c. Different antenna length and shapes affect radiated emissions and each design shall be considered a different type; e.g., antenna length in multiple(s) of frequency wavelength and antenna shape (traces in phase) can affect antenna gain and must be considered; d. The above data is to be provided by a Gerber file (or equivalent) for PC layout. 2. Appropriate parts by manufacturer and specifications. Page 2 of 3 3. Test procedures for design verification. 4. Production test procedures for ensuring compliance. Only trace designs approved at the time of grant or through permissive change can be used by the OEM. PCB circuit designs have an increased potential for design mishandling and they are susceptible to cross-talk and increased unintentional radiation. The applicant must provide compliance test data for all antenna circuit trace designs being marketed or used. Different antenna length and trace layouts can affect radiated emissions and each design shall be considered a different type. For demonstrating compliance, when not limited to specific host, a stand-alone reference opens board PCB test board design that is representative of the worst case boundary limits (as constrained by the design rules documented in the integration instructions) for each trace design (type) shall be used. For SAR consideration, all current test procedures and guidance must be followed as discussed in Section IV on RF Exposure considerations and all the relevant KDB publications and in particular the conditions defined in Section 2 of KDB Publication 447498. 996369 D01 Module Equip Auth Guide v01r04 13 It is recommended that the grantee have an agreement with the Host manufacture to build in accordance with instructions, in order to ensure compliance. Grant comment: This module can only be used with a host antenna circuit trace layout design in strict compliance with the OEM instructions provided. (end of KDB reference) 1. Therefore, please provide ALL OF THE information required for this ‘Tr…
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| # | Rule Parts | Frequency Range | Power Output | Emission | Tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25 | 1.61 GHz - 1.62 GHz | 192.00 mW | 2M32G1D | 0.0010000000 % |
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