STMicroelectronics’ aim to simplify large-scale IoT deployments with the introduction of its new NB-IoT ST87M01 module platform also revealed growing demand for power-efficient smart metering solutions that can integrate with different cellular networks, Carlo Masseroni, Product Marketing Manager told IoT Insider in a recent conversation.
Market need
The module platform in question is NB-IoT certified, with the option to add an advanced embedded eSIM to enable access to connectivity services, as well as integrated wireless Meter-Bus (wM-Bus) connectivity. The modules could also come pre-configured with Vodafone’s profile which means customers can access Vodafone’s connectivity network with ease.
In speaking to Masseroni, I sought to understand the factors leading up to the launch of the module. Simply put: what was the market need for this solution?
“We see that the adoption of this technology will be very strong in critical sectors such as metering and asset tracking,” Masseroni explained. “We decided to deliver this module because we started from the smart metering sector and we see an opportunity to expand within a rapidly growing market.”
Smart metering is one core application, but smart cities are another. “Of course, every kind of IoT application that needs connectivity based on NB-IoT, we can adapt the module and integrate it to add value,” he said.
Key features
In addition to the characteristics already mentioned, other key features of the module include its compact size – 12.8 per 10.6mm – and its power efficiency, to ensure the battery can run for over 10 years. Additionally, ST provides a longevity commitment for the production of the ST87M01 module for at least 15 years. This is particularly important for industrial applications that have especially long lifetimes.
“We are targeting 15 years [for the module], which is critical for applications like smart metering,” said Masseroni, a commonly known application where the need is for the device to be left out in the field for several years without requiring maintenance, a need that has become more pressing as the adoption of wireless smart metering devices has grown.
“It is not just a module,” Masseroni added. In addition to the features already mentioned, ST offer tools such as supporting their customers in integrating the module into their application – “Sometimes customers making IoT applications are not familiar with cellular connectivity” – and being cognisant of the battery life challenges, by using an algorithm to calculate the power consumption of the module and off the back of that, estimate the battery life.
Utilities which use smart metering require a life span of approximately 15 years. “When you think about NB-IoT, when it was first defined in the 3GPP standard, it was designed to support 10 years … For smart metering they are pushing to keep the meter for over 10 years on the field, and changing the battery is extremely expensive,” he acknowledged. The challenges to extend the battery life, in other words, are quite clear.
Thinking about connectivity
The connectivity has evidently been thought about a lot in the design of the module, as it is NB-IoT certified, supporting GNSS capabilities, and has wM-Bus connectivity.
“The decision to add wM-Bus connectivity was inspired by our customer needs, where it is common for utilities to request multi-technology support to ensure a back-up option for metering in case of networks dropping out,” said Masseroni.
NB-IoT is expected to become the leading connectivity option for smart metering, Masseroni said, but wM-Bus has historically been widely used.
“We expect NB-IoT will grow a lot, as we see increased IoT adoption in multiple sectors, and the request for low power consumption,” he added. “We see requests for wide coverage and cost-effective solutions.”
The GNSS capability is useful for applications like asset tracking. “NB-IoT cannot follow an asset in navigation mode,” he said, “But if you need to know where your application is [exactly], you can switch from NB-IoT to GNSS, get the position using GNSS, and send back the positioning.” This kind of flexibility offers an attractive solution that is sensitive to market needs and use cases.
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