Sequans Communications, a provider of LTE for IoT chips and modules, has announced that their Monarch SiP (system-in-package) and Monarch GM01Q module have been approved for use by Japan’s three largest mobile operators. Both devices are based on Sequans’ Monarch LTE-M/NB-IoT chip. The Monarch SiP integrates a multi-band RF front end module from Skyworks into a tiny package using conformal shielding that enables it to meet the size requirements of the smallest IoT devices. Both the Monarch GM01Q and Monarch SiP are ideal solutions for device makers to build IoT devices with the ultra-low power consumption and enhanced coverage capabilities that are needed for successful IoT business cases.
According to industry analysts, IoT in Japan is booming and IoT devices are being deployed in market sectors including metering, agriculture, transportation, e-payment, surveillance, and digital signage. Statista Research predicts the value of the Japanese IoT market to be 1.83 trillion yen by 2024.
The certification of Monarch SiP and GM01Q follows the earlier certification of Sequans’ Monarch chip on which these modules are based, showing that Monarch has become an integral part of Japan’s important LTE for IoT ecosystem. Sequans’ Monarch GM01Q module consists of Sequans’ Monarch chip and other elements necessary for a complete LTE modem system. These include an LTE-optimized transceiver, a complete Single SKU RF front-end to support LTE bands worldwide, and key interfaces, all in a single compact LGA package (20 x 21 x 1.5 mm) that can cost-effectively support numerous IoT application types.
Sequans’ Monarch SiP, similar to GM01Q, includes the universal radio front-end of Skyworks along with specialized packaging, resulting in the world’s smallest and thinnest LTE connectivity solution (8.8 x 10.8 x 0.95 mm), designed for ultra-space-constrained IoT devices, such as healthcare wearables and personal trackers.
Both Monarch SiP and Monarch GM01Q provide full support for power-saving mode (PSM) and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) to enable the long battery life needed by many IoT use cases, and they provide the enhanced coverage modes necessary to extend coverage for deep-indoor and remote deployments. Monarch GM01Q and Monarch SiP feature Sequans’ proprietary Dynamic Power Management and eco-Paging technologies that result in industry-leading, rock bottom low power consumption of 1 microamp and eDRX power consumption in the tens of microamps.
Monarch SiP and Monarch GM01Q have also received compliance certifications from Japanese regulatory agencies JATE (Japan Approvals Institute for Telecommunications Equipment) and TELEC (Telecom Engineering Center). In addition to Japan, Monarch GM01Q is certified in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Monarch SiP is certified in the USA.
