u-blox has introduced its first RPMA (Random Phase Multiple Access) module for Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWA) IoT applications, as well as four new LTE Cat 1 cellular modules. They will be showcasing the NANO-S100, RPMA module for the IoT (Internet of Things), made in partnership with Ingenu, at the European Utility Week 2016. u-blox will also be showcasing four new LARA and TOBY LTE Cat 1 modules at the event.
The NANO-S100, u-blox's RPMA module created in partnership with Ingenu, is designed to support LPWA IoT applications. RPMA is a low-power wide-area channel access method used exclusively with machine-to-machine (M2M) communication for IoT applications, such as asset tracking and smart metering. With a 177 dB link budget, RPMA devices have unprecedented range, even underground or indoors, and because RPMA utilizes the globally available 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) radio band, devices using it can work worldwide, providing scale and cost benefits. The NANO-S100 from u-box features extended temperature range and will allow for simple integration of positioning services. Availability will be in Q1 2017.
At its booth, u-blox will have an RPMA exploration kit on display to depict the setup customers can use to easily test their applications on RPMA, even before a local network is available.
The new LTE Cat 1 modules are available in ultra-compact LGA packages to serve markets worldwide. LTE Cat 1 provides data at speeds up to 10 Mbps, but at much lower cost than LTE Cat 3 or Cat 4 technology:
- The LARA-R211, supports 2G fallback for the European market;
- For the US market, the TOBY-R202, supports HSPA+ fallback for AT&T and T-Mobile networks;
- The LARA-R204, is a single-mode LTE Cat 1 device for Verizon networks; and
- The TOBY-R200, will support US LTE Cat 1 networks with worldwide 2G and 3G fallback.
u-blox will also show the recently announced LARA-R3121, a single-mode module for the European market based on the in-house u-blox UBX-R3 LTE Cat 1 modem technology platform.
LARA-R211, TOBY-R202, and TOBY-R200 all support VoLTE , providing high quality voice support for applications such as security and surveillance, thus eliminating the need for a separate 3G module. All LTE Cat 1 modules are based on the u-blox nested design compatibility, which means that migration between 2G, 3G and 4G technologies is easy and supported on the same board layout.
