u-blox, a leading global provider of positioning and wireless communication technologies and services, has announced two additions to its cellular LTE Cat 1 portfolio. The u-blox LARA-R6 is the smallest LTE Cat 1 module with global coverage on the market. The u-blox LENA-R8 includes a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver based on the u-blox M10 platform. Together, the modules comprise five certified global, multi-regional, and regional product variants, simplifying logistics for product developers and increasing design flexibility.
The modules offer device makers facing imminent 2G and 3G network sunsets a future-proof migration path to 4G technology for data streaming applications. Additionally, they offer MQTT Anywhere and MQTT Flex connectivity via u-blox’s Thingstream platform out of the box, thereby enabling low-power, low-cost connectivity with globally ubiquitous, seamless roaming.
LARA-R6 for maximum performance in difficult coverage conditions
The LARA-R6 professional-grade module series features dual Rx (receiver) antennas for reliable signal reception in difficult coverage areas such as indoors as well as for use cases that require voice communication over VoLTE (voice over LTE). The security-focused module provides a root of trust, secure boot, and secure communication with regular security updates. Its unique feature set makes the LARA-R6 an ideal cellular modem for telematics, tracking, and health applications, as well as for alarm panels, smart meters, and point-of-sale devices.
The LARA-R6 series includes a globally certified variant with 18 LTE frequency bands and a 2G/3G fallback for universal connectivity. It also includes a variant certified by North American mobile network operators (AT&T, Verizon, FirstNet, or T-Mobile), as well as a multi-regional variant for use in the EMEA, APAC, Japan, and LATAM markets, supporting all the required LTE bands and technologies.
LENA-R8 for cost-sensitive tracking and telematics use cases
The LENA-R8 standard grade module series targets customers in the tracking and telematics markets seeking to minimize costs associated with their bill of material and data charges. The compact module balances cost and performance with a single Rx antenna and primarily targets customer deployments in the EMEA, APAC, and South America regions. LENA-R8 supports a broad range of frequency bands with 2G fallback, providing maximum roaming coverage for global tracking applications using a single stock-keeping unit (SKU).
A variant of the LENA-R8 series comes with an ultra-low-power u-blox M10 GNSS receiver for high-performance asset tracking applications, reducing integration effort and time to market. Making no compromises in terms of GNSS performance, the module can concurrently receive up to four GNSS constellations for maximum position availability.
All variants of the LARA-R6 and LENA-R8 family support CellLocate, u-blox’s cellular network-based location service, for coarse positioning data even in the absence of GNSS signals.
“LARA-R6 and LENA-R8 are important additions to our LTE Cat 1 portfolio, meeting the growing demand for small IoT solutions targeting global markets, with seamless roaming and low data costs. Both modules offer global roaming with a single SKU, which greatly simplifies logistics and supply chain management. The small size of both modules gives product developers greater design flexibility and the possibility to create smaller form factors,” says Drazen Drinic, Product Management Cellular at u-blox.
Engineering samples will be available in February.
