December 5, 2024
Smart Metering, Smart Cities, Connectivity, Asset Tracking, LPWA, IoT, Innovation, NB-IoT, LTE-M, Satellite / NTN
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In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, the demand for low-power, high-efficiency solutions is more critical than ever, especially as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues its expansive growth. Our recent webinar, “Meet the Future of Low-Power Cellular IoT" brought together industry experts Michael Buonassisi from Semtech and Guy Cohen from Sony to introduce the groundbreaking Semtech® HL7900 solution—a global 5G LPWA module featuring the Sony ALT1350 chipset—set to revolutionize the low-power IoT sector.
During the engaging Q&A session, these thought leaders shared insights into the future of Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies, highlighting their anticipated evolution over the next decade. They also explored hybrid communication setups that integrate LPWA, short-range radios, and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) communications, offering a comprehensive look at the innovations shaping our connected future. Believing that this conversation will be beneficial for technical decision-makers, we have compiled the top discussions in this blog.
How do you see the integration of cellular LPWA technologies into the 6G landscape?
Many people are curious about how LPWA will fit into the world of 6G. It is also a big point of interest for both Semtech and Sony as we work closely with standards bodies. As we look toward 3GPP release 21 and beyond, our goal is to make sure LPWA technologies stay compatible and long-lasting, ideally supporting IoT projects for more than a decade. We believe that LTE-M and NB-IoT will continue to play important roles even as things move towards 6G.
We are also looking into additional enhancements to further improve interoperability and overall capabilities. Such upgrades are expected to simplify device complexity, provide support for more power-constrained batteries, and generally enhance IoT functionalities. Our objective is to ensure that LPWA technology evolves in alignment with new network standards, including 5G and 6G, to meet the ever-expanding requirements of the IoT landscape.
What are the long-term prospects of cellular technologies from the perspective of network carriers?
During the webinar, we delved into the longevity of LPWA technologies and observed a common stance among carriers regarding their ongoing support. They largely view LTE-M and NB-IoT as critical components of the 5G ecosystem and are committed to maintaining these technologies for many years. However, carriers adopt various strategies to support these technologies within the network architecture. For instance, some are implementing Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) to ensure smooth integration between LTE and 5G New Radio technologies. While LTE-M and NB-IoT support is assured, there’s a noticeable shift concerning older 4G technologies like Cat-4. Many carriers are planning to phase out support for these, although not immediately, but within a few years. This approach mirrors the transition strategies seen in previous network generations, as carriers pivot to 5G solutions like Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Reduced Capability (RedCap) for high throughput applications, leveraging the extensive capabilities of the 5G core network.
What is your view about the future of LoRaWAN® as another LPWAN technology?
LoRaWAN® is a key part of Semtech’s product portfolio, complementing our cellular solutions. Semtech's offering of both cellular and LoRaWAN® options indicates our strong commitment to supporting multiple LPWAN technologies. We don't view these technologies as competitors, but rather as solutions tailored for different use cases and applications. LoRaWAN® is particularly advantageous in use cases that require very small data transmissions with less complex data, while cellular LPWA better suits higher data rates and the use of IP protocols like MQTT and LWM2M. We've also observed instances where combining both can yield enhanced outcomes, making this a significant focus of our ongoing research and development. For detailed insights and exploration on integrating these technologies, we encourage reaching out to us for further discussions.
Does the HL7900 support Skylo NTN satellite connectivity?
Skylo is a prominent provider of satellite Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) services today. The HL7900 does not support NTN at launch, but it is slated for a future firmware upgrade, aligning with the strategy implemented for the HL78 family. Notably, the HL7810 and HL7812 were the initial products to incorporate NTN functionality, supporting NB-IoT over NTN, and Skylo is a key partner in this advancement. We recommend customers explore these products now for proof of concepts and demonstrations involving NTN. These products are mature and offer a robust platform for initiating NTN endeavors. The HL79 is expected to follow a similar path, where hardware remains unchanged, and a future software update will enable NTN support. By design, the ALT1350 chipset and model architecture are prepared to accommodate this future capability, ensuring that our solutions adapt as the roadmap develops into solid plans and deployments, requiring only a few additional upgrades to fully support NTN.
Considering the transmission requirements for satellite communications, like GEO, MEO, or LEO satellites, how do you address the need for potentially higher TX power to maintain effective connectivity?
The current standard for satellite communication, especially for GEO satellites, involves using power class 3 with a 23 dBm output power, such as that found in the HL7810. This setup is well-established and operational today, supporting NTN while ensuring enduring connections over vast distances. Should higher TX power be necessary in future solutions, we can certainly accommodate this by adapting our front-end technology and making specific modifications as required. However, the mainstream approach remains focused on leveraging the existing 23 dBm power class 3 due to its reliability and operational efficacy. Present demonstrations and proof of concept efforts already utilize the HL78 family’s standard 23 dBm output to achieve efficient satellite communication. While enhancements, such as more specialized antenna implementations, are being explored for NTN, the current framework is robust and capable of supporting satellite communications for geostationary entities.
Does the HL7900 support ZigBee and Thread protocols?
As discussed in the session, the HL7900 has a 2nd short-range radio that can be used to support various protocols, including ZigBee and Thread. As illustrated in the slide, these protocols would need to be added at the MCU layer and may require updates to the software running on the SRD. This implementation is designed to work with the standard physical radio implementation, utilizing FSK modulation and 802.15.4 technology.
What TX power options are available for short-range radios, and how are they optimized for different requirements?
When considering TX power for short-range radios, our design supports a variety of power modes tailored to different needs. The maximum power option reaches up to 30 dBm, while another configuration offers 22 dBm to balance power and efficiency effectively. In scenarios where lower power consumption is critical, a 14 dBm mode is available. This lower power mode achieves optimization by utilizing a unique RF path that does not rely on an external power amplifier. This approach allows further power management enhancements, ensuring versatility in meeting diverse application requirements. Our power modes range from 14 dBm for energy-conserving applications to 30 dBm for higher power demands, providing a comprehensive solution that adapts to the spectrum of short-range communication needs.
Learn More
We hope you find this blog informative. To learn more, you can watch the webinar replay now. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact us and one of our IoT experts will be in touch for a free discussion.
Semtech, the Semtech logo, and LoRaWAN® are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its affiliates.
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