GPS (pin 67) is a 50 Ω single-end interface for the Global Positioning System (GPS) antenna.
To ensure good GPS reception performance, antenna impedance and the characteristic impedance of the transmission line connecting the antenna to the GPS pin must be 50 Ω. Impedance mismatch leads to reduced performance.
Loss deteriorates the received power and GPS reception of nRF9160. To minimize loss, the length of the transmission line from the antenna to the GPS pin should be kept as short as possible. A maximum of 0.5 dB transmission line loss is acceptable. If an external GPS Low-Noise Amplifier (LNA) is used, and it is located close to the GPS antenna, the routing impedance and length recommendations may be waivered.
nRF9160 includes an Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) circuit on the GPS pin. The ESD circuit is intended for 1.5 kV Human Body Model (HBM) level, but additional ESD protection is recommended. The GPS pin is DC grounded. For more information on the antenna interface, see nRF9160 Antenna and RF Interface Guidelines.