The SARA-S528NM10 is u-blox’s first 3GPP-compliant Internet of Things (IoT) module to be compatible with both terrestrial networks (TN) and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs).
The module, SARA-S528NM10 expands the company’s cellular portfolio for the satellite IoT industry based on the 3GPP Rel 17 and is powered by the UBX-S52 cellular/satellite chipset and M10 GNSS platform for low-power and concurrent positioning.
For use cases needing continuous or cyclic asset tracking and monitoring, this standards-based module for the satellite IoT market enables worldwide coverage with precise, low-power, and concurrent location – a crucial feature. Fleet management, smart metering and utilities, industrial monitoring and control, and aftermarket telematics are some further IoT application cases.
Satellite IoT for Global Access
Ten percent of the world is covered by cellular networks, thus there is a growing need for guaranteed global access, especially for Internet of Things applications like asset tracking in remote or oceanic locations.
This gap is filled by satellite IoT; nevertheless, adoption has been hampered in part by the high cost of satellite airtime, high power consumption, and satellite terminals. Nonetheless, by 2030, ABI Research, a reputable provider of technical intelligence, projects that the satellite IoT industry will be valued more than USD 4 billion.
In order to switch to a different satellite operator, users would need to change their satellite terminals because current satellite connectivity needs proprietary hardware and software that locks the terminal to a particular satellite operator. In contrast, the u-blox solution maximizes customer choice because it is built on international 3GPP standards and can be verified as interoperable with numerous satellite providers that implement the standard.
“The new u-blox satellite IoT-NTN cellular module is designed to maintain connectivity in areas without cellular coverage,” explained Stephan Zizala, u-blox CEO. “The integrated u-blox GNSS solution consumes less than 15 mW of power in continuous tracking mode and has high RF sensitivity that reduces the time required to establish a position fix. It provides concurrent location data without interrupting the cellular or satellite connection, which further helps to minimize power consumption due to the shortened active time of the device.”
The GNSS M10 platform and u-blox UBX-S52 cellular/satellite chipset power this 3GPP Rel 17 NB-NTN compliant module.
Extended connection through LTE-M and NB-IoT on terrestrial cellular networks, as well as NB-IoT on geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite constellations compliant with 3GPP Rel 17, is ensured by this standards-based architecture, which also includes preparation for low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.
Skylo, a global NTN service provider, is now certifying the UBX-S52 cellular/satellite chipset for their satellite network. The certification makes seamless support for Skylo satellite connectivity and cellular connectivity possible, resulting in a more dependable and enriched experience that uses resources more effectively.
Enhancing and future-proofing its technological credentials, the SARA-S528NM10 module supports all three new NTN bands: n23 (United States), n255 (L-band global), and n256 (S-band Europe). Due to its pin compatibility with other u-blox cellular-only modules in the SARA form factor, developers can simply scale up their Internet of Things solutions without having to spend a lot of money redesigning them.
