Wireless technology is experiencing huge changes. The cellular market is transitioning from 4G to the next generation of 5G technology. This will bring a number of higher frequencies to achieve higher data rates. Further technologies that are currently used in a non-licensed frequency band (eg, Wi-Fi) will also be introduced.
At the same time, operators and developers pay close attention to the advancement of cellular wireless technology to provide low-cost, reliable and scalable wireless links for the Internet of Things (IoT). For these applications, the drive factors are power consumption and battery life, and narrowband solutions are currently emerging. At the same time, there is a new developments like Bluetooth and Zigbee, and now it is also applicable to the Internet of Things. Bluetooth 5 promises to provide greater coverage and higher data rate at lower power consumption, and ZigBee 3.0 provides a network network at a lower power consumption.
All of this will make the design engineer's headache. For low-cost, low-power global application selection wireless protocols may be very complicated and unstable.
Module Manufacturer Try one of the methods that should challenge this is through universal packaging. For example, Sierra Wireless uses modular methods for all wireless development work. The 2G, 3G, and 4G embedded module series in the AirPrime HL series provide all elements required for device manufacturers to meet the basic connection requirements. All of the different cellular technologies use a universal shape size and have small size, low power characteristics and enhanced RF performance. In addition, GNSS navigation and global coverage support options are also available for the US GPS and Russia's GLONASS satellite systems.
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Just a PCB design, device manufacturers can easily integrate voice and data connections and deploy in any area on any wireless mobile network (shown in Figure 1). Sierra also considers that in the shape of the module welding choices to increase the efficiency of large quantities, or use bite sockets on the same pad to provide excellent flexibility for prototype development or small batch production (Figure 2) . With this bite socket, device manufacturers can deploy or change modules at any point in the production process and product life cycle.
The general-purpose pin layout on the dimensions can achieve forward and backward compatibility between different 2g, 3G, and 4G module variants. This means that the mechanical pin position can provide the same functionality between different series. Not only that, but the pin layout of the HL series can also be compatible with the WP application processing series.
But the future of wireless modules is not just hardware. Software and firmware are increasingly important components in the system. With Sierra-based Airvantage Wireless (OTA) service, users can directly connect and manage a set of remote machines of any size. This can be integrated into the enterprise system using open M2M development tools and standards.
Sierra leaders Develop standard Eclipse IoT Working Groups and provides an application programming interface (API) in the GitHub open source library, including the Node.js example of the AirVantage API. This example uses the AirVantage REST API in Clojure (a simple OAUTH2 + JSON client) to collect the gateway list from the AirVantage, and collects the way the Airvantage API from Ruby, PHP, and Java; this also uses a light, flexible shell Script, implementation with the Airvantage M2M Cloud API interacts in the command line.
Similarly, Nimbelink's Skywire LTE CAT1 modem is a long-lived application, so it is necessary to consider changing wireless technologies. This modem uses the same small size and XBEE interface as the Skywire series, compatible with Nimbelink's development kits and microprocessor expansion boards, quickly and easily integrated cellular connections to the product. The standard interface using XBee can be simplified to other cellular technology migration processes, and can extend product life with the maturity of new technologies.
The cellular sector is clear from non-technical (such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Zigbee), so it has been committed to establishing its own low data rate standard. The 13th edition 3GPP specification contains a narrow band Internet (LTE CAT. NB1) standard, the first time the Internet of Things is open to open cellular networks.
This allows the cellular module to have 10-20 years of battery life in applications such as intelligent buildings and cities, utilities, white appliances, asset tracking, and environmental monitoring. Tests in Vodafone, German Telecom and Huawei have proven that the NB-IoT network has higher operating efficiency than GPRS. The NB-IoT module will be listed in the second half of 2016. The peak rate is as high as 227 kbps, up to 21 kbps, and maintain power consumption at a low level, and can provide battery life of ten to twenty years. At the same time, three radio frequency (RF) bands means that the same module can be used in most geographic areas.
Nb-IOT reduces the complexity of the device, the operation is ultra-low, and each cellular unit can support up to 150,000 devices. Most importantly, this technology can provide excellent performance in a coverage of 20 dB, which is capable of providing excellent performance.
However, wireless technology that is not allowed frequency band is also constantly developing. Bluetooth 5 promises to provide four times the current version coverage and twice the bandwidth to create an "unconnected" Internet of Things. Bluetooth 5 solves some puzzles that have been deployed in the Internet of Things.
This new technology will be released in the second half of 2016 or in the beginning of 2017, and the module coverage of this technology increased significantly compared with a significant increase in the current version, up to 50 meters, and the speed can reach 2 Mb / s. The expanded coverage will provide a stable and reliable Internet of Things to make the whole family, buildings and outdoor applications a reality, while higher speeds can send data more quickly and optimize response.
However, the technology in the silicon and modules will determine the total power consumption and battery life.
In addition, there are relevant plans, further through the complexity of these hardware modules, and achieve smart home-based service (SHAAS) mode. Since a single sensor can be used in a variety of applications, it can reduce the total number of sensors and maintenance work and reduce redundancy. For example, motion sensors can be used in security systems, lighting control, home environment management, entertainment options, family lifestyles, and even used to feed family pets.
SHAAs does not need to build your own network, you can provide a range of services to analyze the input of smart home sensors, learn families and home use methods, and make wise decisions, thereby improving family comfort, security and energy efficiency.
The information provided by the home sensor will be collected by the local center in wireless, and is securely transmitted to intelligent cloud services responsible for collecting and analyzing data. After the initial installation, the cloud algorithm can be used to accumulate enough data for one to two weeks, with "learning" family lifestyle, and can send a prompt when there is a sudden or dramatic event.
All services need to be integrated into an easy-to-use dashboard with a single user interface, while the service provider handles customer support, billing, user management, and software and services upgrades.
This makes smart home easy to use, easy to manage, and effectively provide residents with security, security, and comfort, making it more valuable source of income for service providers. Equipment and system developers need to cooperate to develop hardware, software, and network intelligence to create this level of service.
in conclusion
Like technology, the future impact on the wireless module is huge, and software is playing more and more important roles in this development process. NB-IOT and other new hardware standards provide many advantages, supplemented with universal module packages, making the design of wireless nodes easier. The complexity is transferred to the software in the module, plus OTA updates and integration with the app, will create a new market like smart home, service.
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