LPWAN | NB-IoT Technology

LPWAN, short for low-power wide-area network technology, is developed for IoT solutions that need to operate for extended periods with minimal power consumption. NB-IoT or Narrowband IoT, is a cellular technology under LPWAN. Cavli Wireless provides LPWAN and NB-IoT modules, significantly enhancing the IoT capabilities and offering extended coverage in remote and indoor environments.

NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) engineered to operate under low power conditions. Designed specifically for IoT applications, NB-IoT enables devices to communicate efficiently over a wide area at lower data rates with minimal power consumption compared to traditional cellular networks.

NB-IoT is unlocking new possibilities across various sectors. In agriculture, they enable smart farming solutions, from soil moisture sensors to livestock tracking. In urban areas, this technology powers smart buildings incorporating smart lighting, smart home and smart metering applications. In telehealth, NB-IoT is used to enable health monitors and wearable devices.

Streamlined Durable IoT Connectivity Solutions for Global Deployments

Cavli Wireless brings NB-IoT and LPWAN modules to power these diverse IoT applications. Equipped with eSIM and GNSS capabilities, Cavli NB-IoT C-Series modules offer seamless connectivity across global IoT deployments. These low-power modules come in various form factors, such as LGA and Mini PCIe, enabling tailored module selection to meet specific application requirements. Cavli Wireless stands at the forefront of providing LPWAN cellular IoT modules, offering unparalleled performance in building a smart connected ecosystem.

LPWAN IoT Modules

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Highlights and Advantages of C-Series LPWAN/NB-IoT Modules

Tamper proof IoT deployment

CAN bus Support

C42GM incorporates CAN or Control Area network bus support. It is a serial communication protocol commonly used to connect electronic control units (ECUs) in vehicles, allowing internal communication between devices in the network.

Network access enabled for LPWAN

Hubble Connectivity Platform

Cavli LPWAN modules have eSIM-integrated variants. The Cavli Hubble modem management platform handles device connectivity, remote diagnostics, and over-the-air upgrades for these IoT modules through a single interface, eliminating hurdles in module management.

Data Partnerships with regional telecom operators

Integrated GNSS Support

All C-Series LPWAN modules have integrated GNSS support. It allows precise global location tracking by connecting to satellite constellations like GPS and BeiDou. It is crucial for real-time location tracking applications.

Data Partnerships with regional telecom operators

Frequency Bands

LPWAN Modules like C42GM and C41QS operates on frequency bands M1 / NB1 / NB2 Bands -B1/ B2/ B3/ B4/ B5/ B6/ B8/ B9/ B10/ B12/ B13/ B14/ B15/ B16/ B17/ B18/ B19/ B20/ B24/ B25/B26/ B27/ B28/ B39/ B54/ B65/B66/ B68/ B71/ B90 to enable communication over cellular networks.

Data Partnerships with regional telecom operators

Power Characteristics

LPWAN/NB-IoT modules like C41QS and C42GM exhibit ultra-low power characteristics to optimize energy consumption. C42GM supports DRx and eDRx power-saving modes to enhance the power efficiency profile.

Data Partnerships with regional telecom operators

Connectivity Network Speeds

C41QS and C42GM offer the following connectivity speeds NB1: 60Kbps (UL), 20Kbps (DL), and NB2: 158.5Kbps (UL), 127 Kbps (DL). They also support VoLTE features to enable seamless communication and data transfer.

Go Beyond and Explore

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is a category of wireless technology specifically designed for long-range communications at a low data rate among connected devices. LPWANs are optimized for low power consumption and are capable of operating for long periods of time. Key technologies under the LPWAN umbrella, such as NB-IoT, LoRaWAN, and Sigfox, are highly relevant for IoT applications such as smart metering, agricultural sensors, and smart city applications that require wide area coverage and battery life sustainability.

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is a LPWAN technology developed to enable a wide range of devices and services to be connected using cellular telecommunication bands. NB-IoT is highly suitable for applications that require low data rates, long battery lives, and indoor coverage. NB-IoT leverages the existing LTE network infrastructure but is optimized for minimal power consumption and improved indoor coverage.

NB-IoT offers several significant advantages for IoT deployments:

  • Low Power Usage: IoT devices can run on the same battery source for several years without replacement, which is crucial for scalable deployments.
  • Deep Penetration: It provides excellent penetration in dense urban environments, making it suitable for smart utilities and smart city infrastructure.
  • Cost Efficiency: NB-IoT devices can be deployed on a lower budget due to their minimal bandwidth requirements and simplified system design.
  • High Connection Density: NB-IoT  supports about 50,000 devices per network cell, making it an excellent option for massive IoT deployments

NB-IoT is ideal for applications where small amounts of data are transmitted intermittently, and device battery life is critical like Smart Metering, Asset Tracking and Environmental Monitoring.

The rollout of 5G technologies enhances NB-IoT by improving coverage, capacity, reliability, and power efficiency. It also provides new capabilities such as network slicing and better scalability, thus supporting more sophisticated IoT applications and increased device densities. For 5G systems to enable NB-IoT support, the 3GPP is also looking at ways for the 5G core network to support the NB-IoT radio access network. This will enable operators to transition smoothly to 5G NR frequency bands while maintaining NB-IoT deployments.

While both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN are popular choices for various LPWAN IoT applications, they cater to slightly different needs. NB-IoT operates within the licensed spectrum, offering advantages in terms of service quality and security, making it suitable for critical applications where interference might be a concern. LoRaWAN, on the other hand, operates in the unlicensed spectrum and provides more flexibility in network deployment and management, which can be cost-effective for private network setups and non-critical applications.

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