The **EVK-R6** is an Evaluation Kit developed by u-blox to test and evaluate the **LARA-R6** series of LTE Cat 1 modules. It provides a complete environment for hardware development, software integration, and cellular performance testing. --- ## 1. Core Electronic Components The EVK-R6 consists of a motherboard (EVB-WL3) and a daughterboard containing the cellular module. | Component | Function | | :--- | :--- | | **LARA-R6 Module** | The heart of the kit. Handles LTE Cat 1 connectivity, VoLTE, and multi-band support. | | **Power Supply Circuit** | Converts external DC (9-12V) or USB power to the 3.8V required by the module. | | **USB-to-UART Bridge** | (FTDI chip) Converts the module's serial interfaces to USB for easy PC connection. | | **SIM Card Slot** | Supports standard 1.8V and 3V SIM cards for cellular network access. | | **Antenna Connectors** | SMA connectors for Primary (Main) and Diversity (Aux) LTE antennas. | | **Level Shifters** | Adjusts logic levels (typically 1.8V to 3.3V) for external peripheral compatibility. | --- ## 2. Key Interfaces & Connectivity The board provides several physical headers and ports to interact with the LARA-R6 module: ### Data and Control * **Main USB Port:** Used for high-speed data transfer and access to the module's internal USB profiles. * **Two RS-232 Ports:** DB9 connectors providing standard asynchronous serial interfaces for AT commands and data. * **Expansion Headers:** Pin headers (0.1" pitch) that break out the module's GPIOs, I2C, SPI, and PCM/I2S digital audio lines. ### Power Management * **Power Switch:** Main ON/OFF toggle. * **Current Measurement Header:** A 2-pin jumper allowing developers to connect a multimeter or power analyzer to measure the module's exact power consumption. --- ## 3. Indicator LEDs The board includes several LEDs to provide real-time status updates: * **VCC LED:** Indicates if the main power supply is active. * **Network Status:** Shows cellular registration status (blinking patterns vary by state). * **USB/UART Activity:** Indicates data transmission or reception on the serial lines. --- ## 4. Hardware Specifications Summary ```yaml Kit Name: EVK-R6 Supported Module: u-blox LARA-R6 series (Cat 1) Power Input: 9V to 12V DC via Jack or USB (5V) Logic Level: 1.8V (Internal) / 3.3V (External Headers) Antenna Type: SMA Female Audio Support: Digital (I2S) and Analog (via specific headers) ```