Blues Notecarrier® Datasheet: Notecarrier CX v1.3
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Functional Description
Notecarriers are available in multiple form factors to support rapid development across a range of use cases. Depending on the variant, a Notecarrier may prioritize direct host integration, compact size, integrated cellular/Wi-Fi and GNSS antennas, or the ability to be soldered directly into a low-volume production design.
Notecarriers are explicitly designed to bridge the gap between early prototyping and a production-ready Notecard-based solution. In a final product, the Notecard is typically socketed directly onto a custom PCB via an edge connector, alongside the customer's MCU, sensors, and supporting circuitry. While this approach provides maximum flexibility and modularity, it can significantly increase the effort required during initial development and validation.
To simplify this process, Notecarriers expose the Notecard's interfaces through convenient breakout connections and integrate essential supporting circuitry, including power regulation, protection, and signal conditioning. This allows developers to focus on firmware, connectivity, and system behavior without first designing a complete custom carrier board.
Features
- Simple. Provides breadboard compatible pins or solderable mask for direct connections.
- Compatible. Level shifters ensure compatibility with 3.3V or 5V equipment.
- Convenient. Powered by a USB connector (requires 2A supply).
- GPS Ready. Models are either active GPS compatible, or feature a built-in antenna to enable GNSS connectivity.
- Notecard Outboard Firmware Update. Capable of updating host firmware, without support from the currently executing host firmware.
Compatible Notecards
Due to differences in the physical size of Notecards, certain Notecarriers are only compatible with certain Notecards. However, the Notecarrier CX v1.3 is compatible with all available Notecards:
Package Configuration
Notecarrier CX v1.3
Notecarrier CX is a small form factor Notecarrier based on the Notecarrier X.
However, Notecarrier CX also includes a pre-soldered and wired STM32L433 MCU
(the same part used in Blues Cygnet) along with
an onboard JTAG debug jack, a DIP switch for toggling USB-C between the Notecard
and STM32 host, and RST and BOOT buttons for bootloader access.
Notecarrier CX also includes JST connectors for LiPo battery and charging support, as well as a Qwiic port for connecting to peripherals over I2C.
noteConsult the Cygnet datasheet for additional information about the STM32L433 included on the Notecarrier CX.
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
 |  |
-
Notecard edge connector socket and mounting screw receptacle.
-
Onboard STM32L433CCU6 Host MCU (80 MHz Clock, 256 KB Flash, 64KB of SRAM).
-
USB-C port to power Notecarrier and provide a USB Serial command interface to Notecard or STM32 host (specified via onboard DIP switch).
-
JST PH connector for a LiPo battery and a LiPo charging circuit.
-
Qwiic connector for connecting I2C peripherals.
-
USER_BTNprogrammable button. -
Castellated Edges for easy of pick-and-place installation in an end product.
-
JTAG (SWD capable) debug jack.
-
External Nano-SIM slot for use of an optional secondary SIM.
-
PCB Dimensions: 76mm x 38mm
-
Center of Mounting Holes: 73mm x 34mm (measured from the edge of the PCB to the center of the furthest mounting hole)
Power Information
All Notecarriers can be powered by connecting directly to the USB port. However, most installations will not have USB power available, so several alternate power options are provided by the various Notecarrier models:
-
attaching a LiPo battery.
The LiPo battery must be a single-cell 3.7V battery with a 2-pin JST PH connector.
-
applying 2.5-5.5VDC to the
VBATorVMAINpins.Commonly provided via DC power supply or non-rechargeable battery.
warningTypical USB ports may only be capable of supplying 500 mA of current, which might not be enough to power Notecard during a cellular connection to a GSM network (which can spike to 2A). In this situation, you're advised to supplement power to your Notecarrier with an external source (e.g. a LiPo battery).
GPS (GNSS) Antenna Requirements
All Notecarrier models are designed to support active GPS, and several Notecarrier models provide built-in antennas ready to be connected to a Cellular Notecard using the included u.FL cables.
Enabling Active GPS
If using Notecarrier CX v1.3 with an active GPS antenna, add a 0-Ohm 0603
jumper to the unpopulated spot next to the ACT_GPS_IN pin. This will power an
active GPS LNA with a 3.8VDC bias voltage on the center conductor of its GPS
u.FL connector.
Header Descriptions
Notecarrier CX Dual 16-pin Headers
| Pin Name | Direction | Usage | Usage | Direction | Pin Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NRST | IN | Active-low reset of onboard STM32 | Active antenna GPS bias voltage | IN | ACT_GPS_IN | |
| +3V3_OUT | OUT | Access to 3.3V supply voltage | Active antenna GPS 3.8V from Notecard | OUT | ACT_GPS_OUT | |
| +V_AREF | IN | Analog reference voltage input | Configurable interrupt signal | OUT | ATTN | |
| GND | IN | Ground | Diode union of VUSB and VBAT sources | OUT | +VMAIN | |
| A0 | IN | Analog input pin 0 | Direct connect to the + pin of the battery connector | IN/OUT | +VBAT | |
| A1 | IN | Analog input pin 1 | Input that gates the board's host 3.3V rail | IN | EN | |
| A2 | IN | Analog input pin 2 | Direct connect to VUSB pin of the USB connector | IN/OUT | +VUSB | |
| A3 | IN | Analog input pin 3 | Digital I/O pin 13 | IN/OUT | D13 | |
| A4 | IN | Analog input pin 4 | Digital I/O pin 12 | IN/OUT | D12 | |
| A5 | IN | Analog input pin 5 | Digital I/O pin 11 | IN/OUT | D11 | |
| SCK | OUT | Serial Clock signal used by SPI bus | Digital I/O pin 10 | IN/OUT | D10 | |
| MOSI (see warning) | OUT | SPI data line used to send data from SPI master to SPI slave | Digital I/O pin 9 | IN/OUT | D9 | |
| MISO (see warning) | IN | SPI data line used to send data from SPI slave to SPI master | Digital I/O pin 6 | IN/OUT | D6 | |
| RX | IN | UART serial receive request interface | Digital I/O pin 5 | IN/OUT | D5 | |
| TX | OUT | UART serial transmit request interface | Serial Clock Line used by the I2C bus | IN/OUT | SCL | |
| BOOTO | IN | Boot into bootloader | Serial Data Line used by the I2C bus | IN/OUT | SDA |
Notecarrier CX AUX Pin Headers
| Pin Name | Direction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| GND | IN | Ground |
| +VIO | OUT | Digital I/O voltage source with 100mA available |
| AUX_EN | IN | Enable diagnostics |
| AUX_RX | IN | High-speed diagnostic interface |
| AUX_TX | OUT | High-speed diagnostic interface |
warningPlease note that on Notecarrier CX v1.3, the labels for the MOSI and MISO
pins are swapped.
DIP Switch
A single DIP switch is located on the front of the board. This switch selects
which device is connected to the USB Serial interface: the Notecard (NC) or
the on-board STM32 host (HST). The Notecarrier CX must be fully powered off
before changing the switch position.
Specifications
Electrical Characteristics
DC Characteristics
| Description | Minimum | Maximum | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supply Voltage | 2.5 | 5.5 | V |
| Supply Current | 500 | 2000 | mA |
Absolute Maximum Ratings
| Description | Minimum | Maximum | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage temperature | -35 | 70 | °C |
noteActual values may vary based on local conditions such as atmospheric conditions and distance to the cell tower.
Ordering Information
Design Files
Open source hardware designs for all Notecarriers are maintained in the note-hardware GitHub repository.
Board Errata
Please note that on Notecarrier CX v1.3:
- The labels for the
MOSIandMISOpins are swapped. - Battery charge detection is not available, so calls to
card.carrierwill not accurately report charging status. - Voltage sensing is not available, so calls to
card.voltagewill not work.
Terms and Conditions
Visit Blues Hardware Terms & Conditions.
Revision History
| Author | Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| Ray Ozzie | 2019-2020 | Document drafted |
| John Wiedey | 2020 | Various improvements |
| Sean Taylor | 2020 | Various improvements |
| Zachary J. Fields | 01 OCT 2020 | Updated information and translated to markdown |
| Brandon Satrom | 04 JAN 2021 | Added link to design resources |
| Greg Wolff | 13 JAN 2021 | Added BAT pin information to Notecarrier AF datasheet |
| Brandon Satrom | 07 APR 2022 | Added Notecarrier A information |
| Zachary J. Fields | 20 JUL 2022 | Added Notecarrier F information |
| Zachary J. Fields | 24 OCT 2022 | Added Notecarrier B v2 information |
| Rob Lauer | 28 OCT 2022 | Added versioning for Notecarrier B v1/v2 |
| TJ VanToll | 05 JAN 2023 | Added Notecard Outboard Firmware Update information |
| Rob Lauer | 28 FEB 2023 | Re-labeling Notecarrier B as "Basic" |
| Rob Lauer | 01 MAR 2023 | Added PCB/Mounting Hole Dimensions |
| Rob Lauer | 07 SEP 2023 | Added Notecarrier F v1.3 information |
| Rob Lauer | 16 NOV 2023 | Added Notecarrier Pi v2.0 information |
| Rob Lauer | 14 MAR 2024 | Added Notecarrier B v3.1 and Notecarrier R v1.0 information |
| Rob Lauer | 05 JUN 2024 | Added Notecarrier XS v1.1 information |
| Rob Lauer | 10 JUN 2024 | Added KiCad schematics to A, B, F, and Pi Notecarriers |
| Rob Lauer | 18 JUL 2024 | Added Notecarrier XS v1.2 information |
| Rob Lauer | 22 JUL 2024 | Updated Notecarrier pin descriptions |
| TJ VanToll | 19 AUG 2024 | Added Notecarrier X v1.2, XM 1.2, and XP 3.1 information |
| Rob Lauer | 14 JAN 2026 | Added Notecarrier CX v1.3 information |
Contact Information
Blues Inc.
https://blues.com
50 Dunham Ridge Suite 1650
Beverly, MA 01915
support@blues.com