NB-IoT / Cat-M module

Due to the popularity of Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) such as LoRaWAN or Sigfox in the IoT industry, the traditional cellular networks like 4G have been ousted as the best choice, specially when low cost, low power consumption and long range are key characteristics. As a response to this market demand, the 3GPP association published 2 cellular narrow band IoT standards in the release 13: NB-IoT ("narrow band for the Internet of Things") and Cat-M ("category machine"). They are also known as LTE Cat-NB1 and LTE Cat-M1. Libelium has integrated the BG96 chipset by Quectel to meet this requirement.

This module has been included in the Waspmote ecosystem as an OEM development kit, where the NB-IoT and the Cat-M connectivities can be easily tested in pilot projects or proof of concepts applications.

The NB-IoT / Cat-M module also includes EGPRS connectivity, allowing to transmit information even if there is no coverage for NB-IoT or Cat-M and also maintaining ultra-low power consumption. Besides, the most common Internet protocols like HTTP(S), FTP(S), SSL, TCP or UDP are supported.

Moreover, the module integrates a GNSS engine supporting GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS and QZSS systems, making it suitable for tracking applications where low cost and accurate positioning is needed.

Designed to be plugged on the socket1 of Waspmote, the module can meet almost all requirements for IoT applications like smart cities, remote monitoring, smart logistics, real-time tracking, etc. Additionally, the NB-IoT / Cat-M module has a unique global version, allowing the usage all over the world with no fragmentation.

Like other radio modules, Libelium provides a dedicated library for Waspmote and some example codes, which speed up the testing for the NB-IoT or the Cat-M connectivity with just a few high-level functions, and without dealing with AT commands. Thus, the development of pilot projects and proof of concepts becomes easy.

{warning.fa-dot} It is important to remark that the NB-IoT or Cat-M connectivities require a dedicated SIM card (not included by default). With a standard SIM card, only the EGPRS connectivity can be tested. Besides, the network coverage is only present in certain zones and strongly depends on the selected mobile network operator. It is recommended to check operators coverage in the location where the module will be used.

Model: BG96 (Quectel)
Frequency bands:

• Cat NB1 / Cat M1: LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/ B19/B20/B25**/B26*/B28
• LTE TDD: B39 (for Cat-M1 only)
• EGPRS: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

Data:

• Cat-NB1: Max. 32 kbps (DL), Max. 70 kbps (UL)
• Cat-M1: Max. 375 kbps (DL), Max. 375 kbps (UL)
• EDGE: Max. 296 kbps (DL), Max. 236.8 kbps (UL)
• GPRS: Max. 107 kbps (DL), Max. 85.6 kbps (UL)

SMS:

• Point-to-point MO and MT
• SMS Cell Broadcast
• Text and PDU Mode

GNNS: Embedded GNSS. Supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou/Compass, Galileo and QZSS.
Antenna connectors:

• U.FL for main antenna (cellular)
• U.FL for GNSS antenna

External antenna: 5 dBi
Sensitivity:

• -113 dBm \@Cat NB1, CE Level 0
• -107 dBm \@Cat M1, 1.4 MHz Bandwidth, CE Mode A

SIM size: Nano-SIM (4FF standard) (not included)
Protocols: PPP/TCP/UDP/SSL/TLS/FTP(S)/HTTP(S)/NITZ/ PING/MQTT
Actions:

• Sending/receiving SMS
• TCP/IP and UDP/IP clients
• HTTP and HTTPS service (SSL/TLS for fully secured comms)

Certifications:

• GCF/Vodafone (Global)
• CE/Deutsche Telekom (Europe)
• FCC/PTCRB/AT&T/Verizon/T-Mobile*/Sprint* (North America)
• RCM/Telstra (Australia)
• IC/Telus/Bell* (Canada)
• Telefónica (Spain)
• JATE/TELEC/KDDI/SoftBank/DOCOMO* (Japan)
• KC/SKT/LGU+* (Korea)
• IFETEL (Mexico)
• IMDA (Singapore)
• NCC (Taiwan)
• CCC (China)

* Under development

**LTE B25 will be supported on BG96 with R1.2 hardware version

This module uses the UART1 to communicate with the microcontroller.

Related API libraries: WaspBG96.h, WaspBG96.cpp