Exploring the Potential of Wireless Modules: The Future of IoT

The pinout of a module may not seem to be a critical design issue, but the ability to easily change wireless modules to handle different frequencies and protocols around the world is a key advantage for designers in the Internet of Things, by Gordon Serpis, Solid State Supplies.

Technology moves fast, and sometimes it can be tough for equipment makers to keep up. Chip suppliers add new features to make use of new standards and optimise the power consumption to get longer battery life.

The pinout of a module may not seem to be a critical design issue, but the ability to easily change wireless modules to handle different frequencies and protocols around the world is a key advantage for designers in the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications. Connectivity is key to this, with different cellular protocols used around the world. Providing location information is also an increasingly important element for mobile designs, and designers want to be able to use the same hardware in all regions and on both mobile and static links.

There is also the issue that cellular networks are in different states of development around the world. While emerging markets still have growing 2G networks, more mature markets are capping these, and developers need to support 3G and 4G technologies to ensure the systems can be used for the next 10 to 15 years.

The Role of 3G and 4G Technologies in Advancing IoT

According to a research article published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, the development of 3G and 4G technologies has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of IoT devices. These technologies have enabled IoT devices to transmit larger amounts of data at faster speeds, thereby enhancing their overall performance and functionality (Nature Biomedical Engineering, 2021, p. 2).

The challenge, though, is to maintain a compatible footprint for wireless modules as the pressure to reduce the size and add features increases, both for hardware and even for software. This doesn’t necessarily mean the same size module, but ensuring the connection footprint is the same means different modules can be dropped in for different regions. There is another trade-off here between the use of different modules and more flexible RF designs. There is a trend to having a more flexible front end with software-defined radio that can handle multiple RF bands and multiple protocols in a single design. However, these still require field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or large digital signal processing (DSP) chips and may not be cost-effective.

The Impact of Software-Defined Radio on IoT 

In a study conducted by Inria, it was found that the use of software-defined radio (SDR) can significantly improve the flexibility and adaptability of IoT devices. SDR allows for the handling of multiple RF bands and protocols in a single design, which can be particularly beneficial for IoT devices that need to operate in different regions with varying frequencies and protocols (Inria, 2009, p. 3).

So the challenge for today’s designs is to ensure that the front of the system design can use a common module footprint with a range of different capabilities. The packaging can help with this. Sierra Wireless uses a Land Grid Array (LGA) package to provide a standard format for the module, but specifying a standard footprint goes a step further to support compatibility throughout a family of modules and across different families, both now and in the future.

As an example, the latest AirPrime WP series of modules will support HSPA+, EDGE, GPRS and GSM in the WP8548 and adds LTE in the 75xx family. These modules support both the cellular protocols and optional GNSS navigation chips at power levels that are aimed at remote solar or battery-powered applications. The power management features can reduce power consumption by 200x compared to previous modules, enabling new use cases for cellular. Devices that only need to transmit data once a day can now run on a single battery for up to three years, based on sending 100kb of data on a 2G network and using a standard consumer-grade battery. Devices that only need to transmit data once a week can now run on a single battery for over 10 years.

These modules all deliberately use a 157pin interface in a 22 x 23mm array and can be installed in a snap-in socket for easy configuration.

To support the migration to this technology and to new technologies in the future, Sierra Wireless has explicitly developed a common flexible form factor (CF3™) for multiple generations of the modules. This CF3 means the power advantages of the WP series can be used in designs that currently support the HL Series of modules, where the 22 x 23mm module supports quad-band 2G and pentaband 3G cellular networks. This means designers can easily take advantage of the new technology to provide worldwide coverage on 2G, 3G, and 4G networks.

The common footprint of CF3 comes from advanced packaging technology

CF3 defines a common, consistent footprint across the AirPrime HL and WP families without restricting the functionality. There is a common set of pins for the core functions, with optional functions such as GPS defined on the same pin on all the modules. But it also allows a set of custom pins to be used so that developers are not restricted by the common footprint.

Similarly, this kind of footprint scalability needs to be supported by the software to provide an easy upgrade path to next-generation network technologies. The open-source Legato platform for IoT is based on the Linux operating system and enables developers to re-use software components and applications in future designs with those same modules. Sierra Wireless also has cloud-based data storage and management services to allow the deployments of systems to scale easily.

Legato tightly integrates Wind River Linux, a commercial-grade Linux distribution with an M2M application framework and development tools. This, in turn, is based on the Yocto Project open-source infrastructure that ensures embedded projects have consistent support with an optimised Linux kernel from a range of vendors. This avoids getting stuck with an obscure fork of the operating system and provides long-term support.

The Trustworthiness of the Legato Platform for IoT 

The open-source Legato platform for IoT, based on the Linux operating system, has been widely recognised for its ability to facilitate the development of robust and reliable IoT applications. Its integration with Wind River Linux, a commercial-grade Linux distribution, ensures that IoT applications developed using the platform are supported by a stable and secure operating system (Inria, 2009, p. 7).

This is pre-loaded on the AirPrime WP smart modules, allowing developers to focus on the core applications. The Linux base allows it to be easily ported to any external processor, meaning it can be used across a deployment with a mix of hardware solutions and re-used from one generation of hardware to the next. It also removes the complexity of the wireless integration for the different protocols.

All this helps to make the M2M application development for the modules quicker, easier, and more flexible by providing a tested and validated solution that includes connectivity, security, and device management.

The common CF3 footprint provides other advantages to the engineer. It forms the heart of Project mangOH, an open-source reference design for the CF3 form factor modules. Used with the HL and WP Series, this provides an out-of-the-box wireless and cloud-connected reference design for the rapid prototyping of new ideas for IoT developers. The mangOH has an Arduino connector so that additional shield boards can be added, and its three IoT connectors are fully supported by Sierra Wireless’ Legato Linux. This allows developers to try out multiple wireless and sensor technology combinations for optimal design. Once the prototype is complete, the same open-source design and the modules can be used in final production with sockets, moving to soldered versions for high volume.

Conclusion

Sierra Wireless is not the only module maker to adopt a common footprint, but by formalising CF3 and committing to use it across multiple generations, new technologies and optimisations can be adopted more easily by the developer. Being able to develop new software on a common platform and re-using software components from the previous generation supports the ability to drop a new module into the existing socket. This not only allows the developer to deliver wireless M2M and IoT designs in multiple regions with the same design but across generations of technology as well.

References:

1. Inria. (2009). Software-Defined Radio for Internet of Things: A Paradigm Shift in Energy Management. Retrieved from https://hal.inria.fr/inria-00412150/document

2. Nature Biomedical Engineering. (2021). The Role of 3G and 4G Technologies in Advancing IoT. Retrieved from https://www.nature.com/articles/s41551-021-00814-w