New module makes cellular IoT accessible to any application

Nordic Semiconductor has stated that the first nRF9160 SiP member of its nRF91 Series of cellular IoT modules has been released. The device has also received GCF certification – the trusted mobile communications industry 'quality mark' for compliance to the 3GPP LTE specification and global cellular network interoperability-along with individually needed FCC and CE regulatory certifications. This means the SiP is authorised for deployment in cellular networks and cellular IoT product applications around the globe. At just 10mm x 16mm x 1mm in size, the SiP is ideal for even compact wearable consumer and medical devices, yet is a total solution that unites everything a cellular connection and IoT application may demand beyond needing just an external battery, SIM, and antenna. "Nordic Semiconductor expanded the application-range of Bluetooth by abstracting away from the designer all unnecessary technical complexity," comments Peder Rand, Nordic Semiconductor's product manager - Cellular IoT. "The pre-certified, ready-to-drop-in, LTE-M/NB-IoT nRF9160 SiP module promises to do the same for cellular IoT by taking a completely different approach to competing solutions. And it's now available to everyone." "Among its many unique IoT-targeted features, one of the most key is security which is of paramount importance to any IoT application," adds John Leonard, tactical marketing manager at Nordic Semiconductor. "Arm TrustZone means the nRF9160 SiP can have areas specified as trusted execution zones and non-trusted zones. This means critical aspects such as cryptographic elements and key storage, for example, will reside in trusted areas where the outside world cannot get direct access. Allied with the nRF9160 SiP's Arm CryptoCell security, this module is without question the cellular IoT device with the most advanced security on the market today." "We are pleased with our strategic partnership with Nordic Semiconductor to bring this new category of cellular IoT solution to the market," said Eric Creviston, president Mobile Products at Qorvo. "Qorvo is excited to see our leading RF and advanced packaging technology playing a key and enabling part of new products targeting the emerging low power cellular IoT market."