Quectel Offers First LTE Cat-M1 Module
Quectel Offers First LTE Cat-M1 Module Verizon and Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM), are accelerating innovation in the Internet of Things (IoT) with the introduction of ThingSpace-ready modules from Quectel using Qualcomm Technologies’ MDM9206 Category M1 (Cat-M1) LTE modem. To further facilitate the creation of IoT solutions using Verizon’s ThingSpace platform on the MDM9206 LTE modem, Verizon is making available a development kit.
Quectel BG96 is a series of LTE Cat M1 and Cat NB1 module offering a maximum data rate of 375kbps downlink and uplink. It features ultra-low power consumption, and provides pin-to-pin compatibility with Quectel’s NB-IoT module BC95, UMTS/HSPA module UG95/UG96 and GSM/GPRS module M95.
The new Cat M1 module BG96 from Quectel will be a strong support for Internet of Things applications. The Quectel module BG96 supports the new LTE network of category M1 and thus allows the connection of a larger number of devices to the Internet of Things.
The market focus is extensive and will cover applications in many areas, such as the smart home/smart cities, security systems, industrial control and monitoring, asset and vehicle tracking, telematics, health and fitness, smart metering, smart cities, and wearables.
With cost-effective SMT form factor of 22.5 × 26.5 × 2.3mm and high integration level, BG96 enables integrators and developers to easily design their applications and take advantage from the module’s low power consumption and mechanical intensity. Its advanced LGA package allows fully automated manufacturing for high-volume applications.
Quectel’s LTE Module Series for IoT Gateway
A gateway acts as a bridge between the IoT devices and the Internet beyond. Gateways can connect to the IoT devices that communicate via specific protocols, store and parse the information and then send them over to cloud servers for processing and analytics. Adding intelligent and embedded control to gateways can simplify IoT device design by providing access to shared processing resources.
Advantages of the IoT gateways
• IoT gateways not only abstract the medium of communication but also provide the secure channel required for the transmission of this data.
• They are able to take intelligent data from the datacenter or cloud and push into the field or network edge.
• IoT gateways usually run real-time operation systems (RTOS) or a form of Linux to drive their systems. Hardware and software level encryption is built right into the gateway to provide a secure channel for communication.
• LTE routers are designed to enable SOHO and office users to enjoy the freedom of secure, high-speed Internet connectivity at the home, office or while on the road.
• In electricity, finance, service industry and governmental institute and other commercial industries, wireless broadband router suitable for small scale industry can implement the fast deployment of wireless network.
The Advantages of Quectel’s Modules
Quectel has a comprehensive product portfolio of LTE module series, which covering LTE CAT-1, CAT-3, CAT-4 and CAT-6. Especially, LTE CAT-4 and CAT-6 are ideal for IoT gateways, thanks to their fast and reliable data transmission.
Key Benefits
• Worldwide LTE, UMTS/HSPA+ and GSM/GPRS/EDGE coverage
• Multi-constellation GNSS receiver available for applications requiring fast and accurate fixes in any environment
• Extended temperature range, scalable bandwidth capacity and rugged small form factor
• Worldwide certifications and rich experiences of co-work with network carrier
• MIMO technology meets demands for data rate and link reliability in modem wireless communication systems
LPWA NB-IoT is Changing the World We Live in Quectel NB-IoT Module is Your Ideal Solution for LPWA NB-IoT Applications
The Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is one of the most widely discussed innovations in M2M communication for the Internet of Things. Analysts anticipate around three billion LPWA connections by 2023. For customers, NB-IoT enables new applications by providing a low cost, low power solution with wide area coverage and deep indoor penetration.
NB-IoT for Gas and Water Meters
Battery-powered NB-IoT modules need no power connection, deliver deep indoor penetration, and thereby establish a reliable connection even in areas where mobile reception is poor. The provider is able to read the meter remotely and the end customer does not have to stay at home in order to wait for the meter reader to come by.
NB-IoT for Connecting Street Lights
In Smart Cities, NB-IoT technology can be used in street lighting. Lamp posts fitted with appropriate modules can be switched on and off or dimmed remotely and can trigger an alarm if they malfunction.
NB-IoT for Parking Spaces
Searching for a parking spot in a crowded city center can at times be annoying and time-consuming. According to studies, drivers aimlessly looking for a place to park cause up to 30 percent of all urban traffic congestion – not to mention the environmental cost and wasted fuel. But a smart parking solution could solve these problems. Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) with its characteristics is a suitable technology for smart parking in the city.
NB-IoT for Rubbish Removal
In waste disposal, garbage cans fitted with NB-IoT modules alert a control center when they are full. As a consequence, waste disposal companies can optimize vehicle routes and reduce costs.
NB-IoT for Hydrant
Hydrants equipped with NB-IoT modules can trigger alarm and send the information to the hydrant monitoring center if people leak and steal water. Once the fire happens, the Hydrants with NB-IoT modules can be positioned timely and quickly, which will improve the efficiency of fire extinction.
NB-IoT for Monitoring Livestock and Woods
NB-IoT technology is also suitable for agricultural use where there is no power supply or where network coverage is poor. In irrigation of fields or plantations, tank levels, pump pressure and flow rates are measured. The location and health of livestock can be monitored too, thereby preventing inter alia the spread of diseases. In forestry, low-cost sensors can be distributed in large numbers in the woods to report information such as temperature, smoke development or wind direction.
NB-IOT for Tracking
NB-IoT is suitable for locating pets or valuables. In order to not lose sight of a pet or an expensive bike, an NB-IoT module can be a low-cost alternative to a GSM tracker.
Quectel NB-IoT module is Your Solution for LPWA NB-IoT Applications
At present, the first NB-IoT commercial network has been deployed in Fuzhou, China on Nov. 18. 2016. Quectel’s NB-IoT BC95 module, the China’s first cellular module compliant to the 3GPP Release 13, has succeeded in the commercial trial of smart water metering, the first NB-IoT service in China.
Quectel’s BC95 NB-IoT supports RF 900MHz/850MHz/800MHz and it will support 1800MHz/ 700MHz in the future. Reserved for eSIM, it is easier for integrators and designers to cooperate with operator to develop its products. It is also compatible with Quectel GSM/GPRS module M95, which is convenient for customer to migrate from GPRS to NB-IoT.
The rate at which LPWA is being adopted for devices that need to be low power and low cost is astounding. Quectel is already seeing LPWA NB-IoT embedded in water meters and trusts new applications are being invented and deployed almost daily. Let us work together to build a smarter world.
Quectel’s BC95 Profile
Quectel´s cellular NB-IoT module combines easy, affordable, global connectivity with over 10 years’ battery life for low data rate IoT applications. Quectel is the first Chinese manufacturer with a 3GPP Release 13 module available in the market. Quectel’s BC95 is a high-performance NB-IoT module with extremely low power consumption. The ultra-compact 19.9 × 23.6 ×2.2mm profile makes it a perfect choice for size sensitive applications. Designed to be compatible with Quectel GSM/GPRS M95 module in the compact and unified form factor, it provides a flexible and scalable platform for migrating from GSM/GPRS to NB-IoT networks.
Quectel’s BC95 NB-IoT module supports GSM 900MHz and it will support 1800MHz/ 700MHz/850MHz/800MHz in the future. Reserved for eSIM, it is easier for integrators and designers to cooperate with operator to develop its products. It is also compatible with Quectel GSM/GPRS module M95, which is convenient for customer to migrate from GPRS to NB-IoT.
BC95 adopts surface mounted technology, making it an ideal solution for durable and rugged designs. The low profile and small size of LCC package allow BC95 to be easily embedded into low-volume applications and provide reliable connectivity with the applications.
Due to compact form factor, ultra-low power consumption and extended temperature range, BC95 is the best choice for a wide range of M2M applications, such as smart metering, smart city, security, asset tracking, agricultural and environmental monitoring and more.
Key Benefits
• Compact-sized NB-IoT module
• Ultra-low power consumption
• Super high sensitivity
• LCC package makes it easy for large volume manufacturing
• Compatible with Quectel GSM/GPRS module, easy for future migration
• Support abundant Internet service protocols
Compatible with 2G/3G/4G Modules
Quectel’s BC95 module is compatible with Quectel’s GSM/GPRS module Mx5, UMTS module UG96&UGx5 and LTE CAT.1 module EG91.
Evaluation Kit
Quectel provides you with all kinds of development kit, which can help you learn, evaluate, and use Quectel products easier. Our modules also comes with testing adapters that can be plugged into the development kit, the BC95 testing adapter can be connected to the GSM/GPRS/NB-IoT EVB KIT to start the evaluation.
Quectel also offers a GUI tool named QNavigator. It can help customers quickly test Quectel module’s functionality even if they are not familiar with AT Commands.
First to Receive GCF Certification
Quectel’s NB-IoT BC95-B8 module has recently received GCF certification, the first of its kind around the globe. The certified module is a variant of Quectel’s NB-IoT BC95 module series featuring an ultra-compact 19.9 × 23.6 ×2.2mm profile LCC package. It allows for easier large-scale manufacturing which has strict requirements on cost and efficiency.
As a forerunner in the NB-IoT field, Quectel launched its BC95 module in 2016, which was among the world’s first NB-IoT modules compliant with 3GPP R13 standards.
Developed based on Huawei’s Hisilicon Boudica chipset, Quectel’s BC95 module features extended coverage, massive connection, low power consumption and low device cost, and is therefore ideal for LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) applications.
Currently, BC95 has been widely applied in smart metering, white goods, street lighting, parking and smoke alarm. In the future, it will continue to empower more applications related with personal life, industry and agriculture, such as asset tracking, pet tracking, electronics, gas detector, machine alarm, and irrigation controller.
Through our trusted partner in the South-East Europe region – Comet Electronics – you have access to the latest technology for NB-IoT and LPWA.
Author: Gheorghita Chirculete, Business Development Manager – Comet Electronics Romania
gigi.chirculete@comet.srl.ro
Comet Electronics | www.comet.bg