U-blox announces the most sophisticated LTE Cat M1/NB1 multimode module to support IoT and M2M applications worldwide

U-blox, a global leader in wireless and positioning modules and chips, announced the availability of a configurable LTE Cat M1/NB1 multi-mode module with global coverage, SARA-R410M ‑02B. It is the most compact module on the market today, measuring just 16 x 26 mm, and offers LTE Cat M1 and Cat NB1 connectivity in a single hardware package, as well as software-based configurability to support all deployed frequency bands worldwide. The SARA‑R410M‑02B multi-mode Global module is an ultra-low power and cost optimized solution that is ideal for developing LPWA IoT applications.

Single hardware, worldwide

With SARA‑R410M‑02B, customers can meet global market requirements with a single hardware version, thus bringing excellent efficiency to logistics and SKU management. Since the frequency of support and the carrier's configuration decisions can be made "now" or later in the field, customers can easily respond to changes in business or market conditions with this module. In addition, its flexibility further includes the ability to dynamically select between Cat M1 and Cat NB1 modes as a single or pre-selected connection technology.

Patty Felts, Lead Product Manager for U-Blox's Cellular division, said, "The innovative technology of u‑blox SARA‑R410M‑02B offers great potential as a single, multi-purpose global solution to help customers significantly expand their markets, differentiate their products, and optimize their return on investment. SARA‑R410M‑02B can scale and achieve economies of scale in unprecedented and innovative ways that were not possible in the past. For u‑blox, this is an exciting and significant development that will sustain our leadership in cellular IoT connectivity technology.

Prospective design

With u‑blox's proprietary uFOTA(firmware over the air) master-slave (client/server) solution, you can provide important firmware update capabilities. This is a lightweight, compact protocol utilizing LWM2M for IoT applications. As a result, customers can continue to use the same hardware to further enhance new features, functions or carrier certifications, making it ideal for critical applications performed on more time-consuming devices deployed in the field.

Another benefit of SARA‑R410M‑02B is that it has the hardware maturity to enable future VoLTE voice capabilities via Cat M1 to support applications that require human-computer interaction, such as alarm panels for security monitoring applications. Moreover, thanks to u‑blox's nested design, customers can easily migrate from other u‑blox 2G, 3G and 4G modules to the SARA‑R4 series.

Low power consumption and wider application range

SARA‑R410M‑02B operates over a wide temperature range from -40° to +85°C and supports Power Save Mode (PSM) and Extended Discontinuous Reception (e-DRX). Battery life can be extended to ten years.

In contrast to other air interface technologies such as GSM or Cat 1, 3GPP Coverage Enhancement allows modules to connect deep into buildings and basements, or even below ground level.

The SARA-R4 series supports a wide range of applications, including gas/water/power meters, street lighting, building automation, HAVC, industrial monitoring, information communication systems, insurance, asset and vehicle tracking, security systems, alarm panels, outpatient monitoring, and a variety of consumer wearables.