Cellular LPWA and Mobile IoT Modules
What is Mobile IoT?
Mobile IoT (also called Cellular LPWA or c-LPWA) networks were designed as a response to the growing need for long-range connectivity that doesn’t come with unwieldy energy or budget expenditures.
Unlike other existing cellular solutions, Mobile IoT technology is engineered to support devices that only require a limited amount of bandwidth to function and aren’t communicating constant streams of information. For IoT projects whose needs fit these criteria, like connected sensors and meters, Mobile IoT’s focus translates to a longer effective lifetime for battery-powered devices, and relatively low costs for powering, connecting, and maintaining devices—making mass deployment and management possible.
LPWA Cellular Network Options
- Smart metering for utilities such as electricity, gas and water
- Wearable health and fitness technology
- Industrial connectivity (Industrial IoT)
- Connected city streetlights and parking meters
- Smart homes and buildings including security alarm and surveillance
- Asset tracking, including livestock and cold-chain managementSmart waste management
Application Areas
- Telematics, including fleet management and usage-based insurance
- Smart metering for utilities such as electricity, gas and water
- Smart city solutions, such as connected traffic lights and parking meters
- Health and fitness monitoring technology
- Industrial automation (industrial IoT)
- Smart homes and buildings, including security alarms and surveillance
- Asset tracking, including livestock and cold-chain management
- Smart waste management
Meet Our Portfolio of Low Power NB-IoT and LTE-M Modules
ME910C1 Module
The ME910C1 is an LTE Cat M1/NB1 module that’s tailored for IoT applications, offering compact size, low-power consumption and enhanced coverage. It is the Mobile IoT series of the popular Telit LE910 LTE modules.
ME910C1 modules feature:
- Maximum uplink/downlink data rates of about 300 kbps
- Support for features specified by 3GPP Release 13 to boost IoT applications
- Cost-effective, compact design with long battery life
- Enhanced coverage, with up to +15dB/+20dB in MCL advantage compared to other LTE technologies
ME910G1 Module
The ME910G1 is engineered to enable connectivity in products of any complexity with ease. This high- performance module delivers the most comprehensive set of connectivity features in a compact 28.2 x 28.2mm LGA form factor. An excellent solution for fixed and mobile applications such as utility metering, home and commercial security, and situations with limited in-region mobility such as POS and logistics terminals.
ME910G1 modules feature:
- 28.2 x 28.2 mm LGA footprint
- Mobile IoT 3GPP Rel 14 - LTE Cat M1, NB1, NB2
- Drop-in upgrade path for 3G and 2G series
- Voice-capable variants – VoLTE over LTE-M
- Certified with regulatory bodies and mobile operators worldwide
- Multiple I/Os
- Optional GNSS
NE910C1 Module
The NE910C1 is an LTE Cat NB1 module, another series in the Telit xE910 family of modules. It offers a band configuration for deployment in European NB-IoT networks, either in in-band, guard-band or standalone mode. The long-life cycle makes it a great choice for new IoT designs and as a migration path for existing GPRS devices.
NE910C1 modules feature:
- Maximum uplink/downlink data rates of 250 kbps
- Support for features specified by 3GPP Release 13 to boost IoT applications
- Cost-effective design with long battery life
ML865C1 Module
The ML865C1 is an LTE-M1/NB1 dual mode series module that offers optimized power consumption and enhanced coverage for IoT deployments. At just 24.4 x 24.4 mm, it is ideal for size-sensitive IoT applications. Quad-band 2G fallback option ensures that assets remain connected and trackable, even as they move out of LTE-M/NB range (where 2G coverage is available).
ML865C1 module provides:
- Support for features specified by 3GPP Release 13 to boost IoT applications
- Cost-effective, compact design with long battery life
- Enhanced coverage, with up to +15dB/+20dB in MCL advantage when compared to other cellular technologies
- Optional embedded GNSS functionality to help reduce cost and complexity
- Available quad-band 2G fallback for EMEA, APAC and LATAM markets
ME310G1 Module
The ME310G1 is an LTE-M1/NB2 dual mode series module that offers optimized power consumption and enhanced coverage for IoT deployments. At just 14.3 x 13.1 mm, it is ideal for size-sensitive IoT applications. Quad-band 2G fallback option ensures that assets remain connected and trackable, even as they move out of LTE-M/NB range (where 2G coverage is available).
ME310G1 module provides:
- Mobile IoT 3GPP Rel 14 - LTE Cat M1, NB1, NB2
- Cost-effective, miniature footprint with long battery life
- Enhanced coverage, with up to +15dB/+20dB in MCL
- Optional embedded GNSS functionality to help reduce cost and complexity
- Available quad-band 2G fallback for EMEA, APAC and LATAM markets
- Voice-capable variants – VoLTE over LTE-M
- Multiple I/Os
The New Age of Cellular LPWA
Just a few years ago, cellular IoT was too expensive and impractical for many applications. But in 2016, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) introduced new standards and technologies in what’s known as Release 13, which enabled companies to build products that are the right cost and size for large-scale IoT rollouts.
Release 14 furthered those standards and technologies, and today 3GPP technologies such as NB-IoT and LTE-M create unprecedented opportunities for growth and innovation. Cellular LPWA solutions are now affordable and feature-rich, and they provide the long battery life, deep in-building penetration and nonstop reliability that market conditions demand.
Overcoming Old Hurdles to Cellular LPWA
Today’s cellular LPWA solutions overcome three former obstacles to widespread adoption: cost, in-building penetration and battery life.
Cellular connections made affordable
Today’s NB-IoT and LTE-M modules are available in small form factors with low hardware and maintenance costs that make them at least as affordable as alternative technologies—with all the added advantages of cellular networks.
Coverage for any application
NB-IoT and LTE-M standards were designed to improve propagation into elevators, subways, underground parking structures and other places where normal LTE connections used to be lost. For example, LTE-M can support a 164dB MCL. Lower power and better coverage—the best of both worlds.
Battery life that lasts a decade
With today’s cellular LPWA solutions, device designs that take advantage of eDRX [Extended Discontinuous Reception] and PSM [power-saving mode], can minimize power usage. Organizations can install quarter-sized batteries (5wh) in IoT devices like smart meters or other applications and run them for 10 years or more without the need for battery recharge or replacement.
Get Ready for 5G
5G is here to deliver next-generation wireless connectivity, turning IoT into a massive force for innovation, with billions of devices promising to connect every sector of society. There is a temptation to wait to invest in IoT, but organizations will actually need the next few years to learn how to leverage the benefits delivered by 3GPP’s Release 12, 13 and now 14 for Mobile IoT (LTE-M and NB-IoT).
Investing in cellular LPWA solutions now will allow organizations to reap the greatest benefits from their 5G investments without disruption and delay down the road. The products available today that align with 3GPP’s Release 13/14 are reliable and can scale. These features will allow them to keep pace with the ongoing evolution of IoT-driven applications.
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