Sony Semiconductor Israel (Sony) has launched the ALT1350 ultra-low-power 5G LPWA chipset for cellular IoT. Offering multiple connectivity options, Sony claims the ALT1350 is the first cellular LTE-M/NB-IoT solution to enable additional LPWA communication protocols and satellite connectivity (NTN) in a single chipset.
Addressing the power consumption concerns of IoT service providers, the 5G LPWA chipset offers an optimized standby mode (eDRX) that reduces power consumption by 80% when compared to the current generation and by 85% when using it to send short messages, said Sony. In addition, the overall improvement in the system’s power consumption is said to deliver four times longer battery life for a typical device. This can enable additional features or use cases with smaller batteries.
Sony said the multi-protocol, ultra-low-power IoT chipset is a game changer that will enable IoT deployments using universal connectivity on edge processing and multiple location technologies. The chipset can be used for a variety of applications, including utilities, vehicles, tracking devices, smart cities, and connected health.
ALT1350 block diagram (Source: Sony Semiconductor Israel)
The LTE-M/NB-IoT SoC features a sub-GHz and 2.4-GHz integrated transceiver that enables hybrid connectivity for applications such as smart meters, smart cities, and trackers. Sony said this “enhances coverage, reduces costs, and further decreases power consumption utilizing IEEE 802.15.4-based protocols, such as Wi-Sun, U-Bus Air, and wM-Bus, in additional point-to-point and mesh technologies.”
The ALT1350 also incorporates a sensor hub to collect data from the sensors along with indoor and outdoor cellular and Wi-Fi-based positioning. It is tightly integrated to provide power-optimized concurrent LTE and GNSS to support a variety of tracking applications, said Sony.
The chipset supports 3GPP Release 15 LTE-M/NB-IoT with future compatibility with 3GPP release 17. Other features include an additional LPWA radio transceiver, targeting <1 GHz and 2.4 ISM bands for universal connectivity options, a secure element for application usage, and an integrated SIM (iSIM), designed for PP-0117 to meet GSMA requirements.
The ALT1350 is sampling to lead customers. Commercial availability will start in 2023.
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