New module for IoT applications plus four new cellular modules

U-blox have announced its first RPMA module for Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWA) IoT applications, as well as four new LTE Cat 1 cellular modules. "As the IoT progresses, the gap between existing wireless options and what the market needs is growing," said Stefano Moioli, U-blox director of product management cellular. "At u-blox we're excited to fill the gaps both for the low-power wide area network needs in the unlicensed spectrum, with our new NANO-S100 modules using RPMA technology, and in the licensed spectrum for devices that need more bandwidth, with our new LARA and TOBY LTE Cat 1 cellular modules, which will take advantage of widely deployed LTE Cat 1 networks in Europe and North America." The NANO-S100, 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 177dB link budget, RPMA devices have unprecedented range, even underground or indoors, and because it utilizes the globally available 2.4GHz 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. The company has also launched four new LTE Cat 1 modules in ultra-compact LGA packages LARA and TOBY form factors to serve markets worldwide with newly rolled out LTE Cat 1 networks. LTE Cat 1 provides data at speeds up to 10Mbps, but at much lower cost than LTE Cat 3 or Cat 4 technology.