Focus on technology advances set to drive widespread cellular IoT adoption

Murata will highlight the advanced wireless and next generation SIM solutions it offers for supporting cellular IoT deployments, plus its pioneering V2X communications capabilities at the MWC from 27 February-2 March 2023.

Supplied in a 15.4mm x 18mm x 2.5mm form factor LGA package, the Murata Type 1SE is a highly compact cellular IoT module that supports Cat-M1 and NB1. This module is aimed at usage in asset tracking, smart metering, home/building automation, agricultural automation and smart city applications. It provides an STM32L462RE ultra-low-power MCU from STMicroelectronics, with an Arm Cortex M4 processing core and 512kB of flash and 160kB of SRAM memory resource. An additional 1MB of serial flash is included on the module. As no extra carrier or regulatory certification is required, this highly convenient solution offers engineers a way of reducing the time needed to complete development projects and also reduces the costs involved. eDRX and PSM functionality are pivotal in augmenting its energy efficiency properties.

Included directly into the company's Type 1SC cellular IoT modules, which complement the Type 1SE offering and are also on display, is game-changing iSIM technology. This permits significant board space savings, which means less power is consumed (due to faster network attach and continuous SIM presence detection being eradicated) – which is invaluable to battery-driven IoT nodes. Consequently, this module is the smallest cellular IoT module currently available. Another key attribute of iSIM is that it bypasses the use of credit card-sized plastic SIM carriers (which have an environmental impact when disposed of, particularly with large scale deployments). Finally, this approach delivers greater mobile network operator flexibility, with a profile being digitally provided by the chosen operator at whichever point is most relevant (during module production, module distribution, IoT device manufacturing, or device shipment).

Another MWC highlight will be the Type 2GD. This is an ultra-small, ultra-low power multi-protocol 5G IoT module. It is compliant with LTE-M1/NB2 and has future compatibility with 3GPP release 17. It features sub-GHz and 2.4GHz transceivers and supports Wi-Sun, U-Bus Air, and wM-Bus protocols. A GSMA-conforming iSIM is integrated into each unit when requested.

Alongside its cellular IoT/5G product offering, the company will be underlining its expertise in automotive – with a V2X demo demonstrating how the technology can assist in making roads safer and improve traffic flows. For this highly engaging demo, the company's Type 2AN wireless modules are employed with AEC-Q100 qualified V2X chipsets from IC partner Autotalks.

MWC, Hall 5 Stand 5C10, 27th February - 2nd March.