The Internet of Things (IoT) networks will massively expand the use of mobile communications beyond smartphones and tablets to an extraordinary range of applications and connected devices – including many products that have yet to be invented.
While many IoT applications require only short-range wireless connections, a significant number require longer-range connections. Examples include utility meters, sensors monitoring farmland, or telematics modules tracking trucks on off-road routes.
This is where cellular IoT (such as industrial routers) comes in, especially the two cellular IoT standards that are poised to dominate the market: NB‑IoT and LTE‑M. Let’s explore these two standards, their potential uses, and some implementation options for device manufacturers looking to increase cellular connectivity.
Pourquoi avons-nous besoin de NB-IoT et de LTE-M ?
LTE‑M (Long Term Evolution of Machines) and NB‑IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) are standards created by 3GPP, the standards organization responsible for LTE and 5G. They enable operators to leverage existing cellular infrastructure to support widespread deployment of IoT devices. Because they operate in licensed spectrum, they are secure, reliable, and provide guaranteed quality of service.
Both LTE-M and NB-IoT are machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, also known as machine type communications (MTC). They help enable applications such as smart cities, environmental monitoring, asset tracking, and more.
Of course, carriers already use older 2G and 3G networks for some IoT applications, such as fleet tracking. But LTE‑M and NB‑IoT are different because they are designed and optimized for IoT devices that can communicate small amounts of data over long periods of time. As a result, they are simpler and have much less overhead than other cellular standards. Converts to:
Extremely low power consumption gives the device battery life of up to 10 years. This is why these networks are sometimes called Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN).
Great coverage, wide range – several times better than LTE.
Low-cost hardware due to reduced complexity and economies of scale.
Each base station can accommodate up to 100,000 or more devices because each device has very low data throughput requirements and optimized software technology allows the base station to communicate with a large number of IoT devices.
NB‑IoT and LTE‑M are the natural successors to older cellular standards for existing applications, and they will also drive the development of completely new applications. Imagine if local governments could determine when bins needed to be emptied, identify free parking spaces and automatically monitor environmental and road conditions.
The diagram below shows some of the IoT use cases supported by large MTC and critical MTC applications. Large-scale MTC relies on LPWAN technologies, including NB‑IoT and LTE‑M, while critical MTC will require real-time communications with very low latency and high reliability.
Differences between LTE‑M and NB‑IoT
The table below compares the characteristics of LTE‑M and NB‑IoT. The biggest differences are bandwidth and voice support, but for practical purposes the differences to IoT device developers are likely to be minor. NB‑IoT may use less power and the required hardware may be slightly more complex.
The power behind cellular IoT
Perhaps the biggest reason why NB‑IoT and LTE‑M are so important is their tremendous industry momentum. According to GSMA*, as of July 2018, operators have launched 58 NB‑IoT and LTE‑M networks, covering most major markets around the world.
China has already standardized on NB‑IoT, creating a potentially large market that may help drive the development of IoT solutions. In the United States, some operators (including Verizon and AT&T) have launched LTE‑M networks first, but NB‑IoT networks are also planned.
What matters to device manufacturers?
In the coming years, we are likely to see thousands of companies designing new products to take advantage of the opportunities presented by cellular IoT. Here are some key considerations for device manufacturers:
It is important to consider the steps required to obtain the operator certification required to connect to a licensed network. Leveraging the expertise of RF partners can help overcome this challenge.
NB‑IoT and LTE‑M networks will be strongly supported to maximize potential sales. Fortunately, dual-mode chipsets have emerged, allowing device manufacturers to build a single product for global deployment.
Many IoT devices are expected to operate reliably in the field for up to 10 years without needing maintenance. Therefore, cellular IoT components must be extremely reliable and replacement parts must be available over the long term.
NB‑IoT and LTE‑M are just getting started. In the coming years, these low-power cellular networks will open the door to a host of new applications, connecting billions of devices that need to be connected remotely and extend battery life. For manufacturers of IoT devices, ensuring products support both standards will maximize opportunities.