u-blox, a global provider of advanced positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced an expansion of its R10 product line to cater to the burgeoning LTE Cat 1bis cellular connectivity market.
According to analyst firm Techno Systems Research, LTE Cat 1bis is projected to constitute 43.6% of all non-handset cellular devices by 2029, making it the leading cellular technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) over the next four to five years. These new modules enhance u-blox’s LTE Cat 1bis portfolio, targeting both the IoT sector and users transitioning from older 2G/3G cellular connectivity.
The new u-blox LEXI-R10 Global module offers an ultra-compact 16 x 16 mm LTE Cat 1bis solution suitable for worldwide use in space-constrained IoT applications such as trackers for people or pets, and wearables. It is the smallest single-mode LTE Cat 1bis module globally, featuring indoor location capabilities and a US mobile network operator certified core.
Additionally, the new SARA-R10 series extends the LEXI-R10 Global’s capabilities to the widely used SARA form factor. As the phase-out of 2G and 3G networks continues globally, the SARA-R10 series provides a simple upgrade path to 4G LTE for product designers currently using u-blox’s 2G and 3G SARA modules, ensuring continued compatibility with the most prevalent global cellular standard.
Both the LEXI-R10 and SARA-R10 modules offer the option to embed an eSIM and feature an integrated Wi-Fi Sniffer, facilitating indoor localisation through u-blox’s CellLocate service, which uses both Wi-Fi and cellular networks.
One variant, the SARA-R10M10, stands out as the smallest LTE Cat 1bis module with an embedded Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), capable of simultaneous communication and tracking. This makes it an ideal solution for asset tracking and telematics applications requiring constant connectivity and both indoor and outdoor positioning, thanks to its combination of GNSS, Wi-Fi scan, and global LTE coverage. This module is also 50% smaller than u-blox’s previous LTE Cat 1bis combo, the LENA-R8M10.
The new u-blox R10 modules provide product designers with a 4G cellular connectivity solution for IoT applications requiring medium data rates, global portability, ultra-low power consumption, and compact sizes.
Samples of the first LEXI-R10 Global and SARA-R10 modules are expected to be available by Q3 2024.
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