R&D Software Solutions – Romanian embedded hardware and software solution provider – implements their original and innovative concepts and ideas into smart IoT platforms and solutions that allows engineers to achieve sensor-to-cloud solutions very quickly and easily regardless previous modem and network experience. Deeply involved in innovation, R&D Software Solutions received in 2006 as acknowledgement for its innovative ideas, the “GST SSC Bronze Award” between competitors like: IBM, Computer Associates, 17 European Universities and a batch of SME.
The very newest “xyz-mIoT by itbrainpower. net” it is the worldwide first and most compact board in this class, that combines the functionality of the ARM0 microcontroller (Microchip-Atmel ATSAMD21G in Arduino Zero compatible design), sensors bundle (THS, tVOC, HALL, IR and vibration) and global LPWR LTE CAT M1 and NB-IoT/3G/GSM connectivity.
Due to its flexible design, multiple LPWR LTE/3G/GSM modem options are available for ordering, covering your project requirements and budget. All GSM/3G/LPR LTE models share the very same 4.50 × 3.50cm unified design. In addition to already embedded sensors, the abundance of interfaces [I2C, SPI, UART, 13 digital I/O – 1WIRE and PWM capable, 5 analog inputs and more] combined with the power and versatility of the ARM0 core provides endless devices/sensors/actuators interfacing IoT solution. Multiple powering profiles are supported as: LiPO, super-capacitor, 5V direct powering, power-harvesting mode [e.g.: small solar cell] and Lithium primer battery. The xyz-mIoT LTE equipped with BG96 modem [CATM1+ NB IoT] variant offers access to GNSS [GPS+Glonass] positioning services. GNSS passive and active antennas are supported [AAPM included – active antenna power management].
On board several additional interfaces, useful for integration, are available:
• JTAG connector VIAs (2 × 5 × 1.27mm)
• external SIM socket connecting pads (1.27mm)
• modem USB soldering pads (only for 3G and LTE CATM1 variants)
• modem UART port monitoring pads (4 debug)
• super-capacitor/additional capacitor soldering pads
• TILT / REED soldering pads
Additional onboard features:
• VIN voltage monitoring
• VBAT (LiPO/super- capacitor) voltage monitoring
Also, 10 PCB solder jumpers offers the possibility for enabling/disabling LEDs and other features.
Beyond obvious target applications (smart modems with “last-gasp”, access control and environment monitoring for IoT 
gateways, air quality monitoring, smart metering, smart machinery for legacy controllers, smart bees farming (hives monitoring), smart city applications, security & tracking, emergency pagers, other…), itbrainpower.net xyz-mIoT it is the ideal solution for integrators and DYI fans who want to design and deploy in a timely manner their LPWR LTE (CAT M1 and NB-IoT) IoT projects regardless previous experience in modems and network technology.
Last, but no least, one more option is available: Industrial Embedded SIM that enables support for high volume MNO oriented solution.
ARDUINO (arduino.cc v >= 1.8.5) xyz-mIoT sensors board integration transparent socket (and other) class support and interrupt-based hardware support and demo code offers fast IoT to CLOUD application deployment time.
About LTE CAT M1 and NB IoT
Modems implementing legacy cellular technology such as 4G/LTE, 3G/UMTS and GSM/GPRS consumes too much power per exchanged data unit, especially in battery powered applications where very small data amount is exchanged with CLOUD applications, in infrequent timely manner (e.g.: metering application, environmental data monitoring). The modem industry has the target to implement to requirements for low-power and long-range applications, together with the goal to reach similar price levels as 2G(GSM) modems. Their response consists, under release 13 of 3GPP, in both LPWR LTE standards: CAT M1 and NB IoT.
Cat-M1/ LTE-M
LTE Cat-M1, aka. CAT M or LTE M, by downsizing the LTE maximum system bandwidth to 1.4 MHz and implementation of LPWR techniques as PSM and i-e-DRX completes the cost and power consumption reduction goals. Other Cat-M1 advantage is the compatibility with existing LTE infrastructure.
Some CAT M1 parameters: data-rates up to. 1Mb/1Mb (DL/UP), low latency <1sec, cell handover and good indoor coverage (155.7 dB link budget).
NB IoT
The NB IoT technology, sharing the same the goals, downsize more the system bandwidth to 200kHz and also use different approach: use DSSS modulation and have Guard band and In Band as Operation Modes (CAT-M1 supports In Band only). NB IoT deployments require significant investments in LTE infrastructure.
Some NB IoT parameters: data-rates up to. 250kHz/230kHz (DL/UP), bigger latency <10sec, stationary (no cell handover allowance) and better indoor coverage (164 dB link budget).
About Quectel LTE LPWR modules
Having strong background using Quectel modules, we use in our LPWR LTE designs following two Quectel modules BG96 and BC95G provided by Comet Electronics – Quectel authorized distributor in Romania.
BG96 is a LTE Cat M1/Cat NB1/EGPRS module offering a maximum data rate of 300Kbps downlink and 375Kbps uplink and features ultra-low power.
BC95-G is a high-performance NB-IoT module which supports multiple frequency bands of B1/B3/B8/B5/B20/B28 with extremely low power consumption.
xyz-mIoT v2.09 IoT sensor platform – PN coding
Module based PN schema, UFL connector (choose your modem option):
– xyz-mIoT v2.09, equipped with BG96 [CAT M1 + NB IoT + GSM + GPS] – PN: XYZMIOT209#BG96-UFL-xxxxxxx
– xyz-mIoT v2.09, equipped with BC95G [NB IoT only] – PN: XYZMIOT209#BC95G-UFL-xxxxxxx
– xyz-mIoT v2.09, equipped with M95FA [GSM only] – PN: XYZMIOT209#M95FA-UFL-xxxxxxx
– xyz-mIoT v2.09, equipped with UG95E [3G + GSM] – PN: XYZMIOT209#UG95E-UFL-xxxxxxx
– xyz-mIoT v2.09, no modem – PN: XYZMIOT209#NOMODEM-000-xxxxxxx
In previous PN, replace “xxxxxxx” suffix with sensor code (chose the board sensors flavor):
– HDC2010 + DRV5032 – xxxxxxx: 1100000
– HDC2010 + DRV5032 + SW200D – xxxxxxx: 1110000
– HDC2010 + DRV5032 + SW200D + CCS811 – xxxxxxx: 1110100
– no sensor – xxxxxxx: 0000000
For SMA version, replace the “UFL” particle with “SMA”.
Orders can be done via our web page https://itbrainpower.net or contact us via email: dragos@rdss.ro
Pre-orders received until June 15, 2018 may receive up to 20% discount.
Author:
Dragos Iosub, R&D Software Solutions
https://itbrainpower.net
dragos@rdss.ro
+40 (0) 745 611611
All Quectel modules are available in Romania with fast delivery from stock through Comet Electronics. Also, Comet Electronics’s engineers and Quectel technical support engineers can provide you with the support needed to develop any type of applications.
For more information, please contact:
Eng. Ciprian Varga, Technical Director
Comet Electronics | www.comet.srl.ro | office@comet.srl.ro
Str. Sfânta Treime Nr. 47, Bucureşti, Sector 2
Tel.: +40 (0) 21 243 2090 | Fax: +40 (0) 21 243 4090