External view of module

Product lineup

All of the above lineups are compatible with 3gpp Release-15. This is against the backdrop of the global situation in which 5G services are being partially launched using existing LTE services when deploying 5G services. Therefore, we plan to support the New Radio standard (5G full function) in the future.

Module specification

schedule

Depending on the exam situation, the schedule may change, so please contact us for the latest information.

1. eMBB

eMBB (Enhanced Mobile BroadBand) refers to high-capacity communication. It has a much higher throughput than conventional LTE communication, with a theoretical value of over 215G[bps] (New Radio standard applied), and Semtech's verification confirmed a peak throughput of 5-7G[bps]. In addition, communication latency has also been improved, and is expected to be reduced from the conventional 15[ms] (LTE) to around 3-5[ms].

What is NSA/SA

<NSA: Non-Stand Alone>

This configuration combines the LTE core network EPC and the newly established 5G base station (en-gNB). Of the packets from wireless terminals, the Control-Plane (C-Plane) layer, which handles data used for wireless communication, is controlled by LTE macrocells, while the User-Plane (U-Plane) layer, which handles user data, is controlled by small cells using 5G base stations.

 

<SA: Stand Alone>

Both the C-Plane and U-Plane are controlled by 5G base stations/core networks. This allows all 5G technologies (eMBB, mMTC, URLCC) to be controlled by a single network, and enables "network slicing" that applies each technology according to the application. Of course, it is compatible with NSA, and can communicate with existing LTE terminals.

2. mMTC

mMTC (massive Machine Type Communication) refers to multiple connections. While LTE communication allows for a maximum of 100,000 devices to be connected simultaneously per square kilometer, mMTC is designed to ensure communication even when a maximum of 1 million devices are connected simultaneously, which is 10 times the current number.

 

With multiple connections of devices, it is expected to be introduced to applications that have not been converted to IoT so far. Along with that, there are concerns about the battery side. mMTC is expected to be the next-generation standard for LPWA communication on LTE networks: LTE Category-M1/NB-IoT, and can be introduced from existing LTE-M/NB-IoT via Firmware Update.

 

<Expected Applications>

Smart meters, wearable devices, etc.

3. URLCC

URLCC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications) refers to highly reliable and low latency communications. As mentioned above, eMBB has a communication latency of 15 ms on the LTE network, but by introducing URLCC, it guarantees a latency of 0.1 ms/network reliability = 5 nines (99.999%). This is expected to be useful mainly for remote monitoring/control.

 

Since URLCC will be introduced after the New Radio standard (NR Release 16), the service is expected to start around 2022.

 

<Expected Applications>

V2X (Automotive), FA equipment, etc.

mmWave

mmWave uses frequencies in the 30G to 300GHz band, and is called millimeter wave because its wavelength is 10mms or less. Traditionally, it has been used mainly for satellite communications, and 3gpp defines the 24.2G to 52.6GHz band as the band for 5G communications. Its characteristics include a strong tendency to travel in a straight line and the wave's nature of not going around obstacles, and some frequencies have bands where oxygen absorption occurs, making it difficult to use for long-distance communications. Other points to keep in mind when designing are as follows:

<Power consumption>

One of the issues is an increase in current consumption due to an increase in peak current during high-speed communications. Semtech suggests that the use of mmWave will increase power consumption by +4W, and up to +50W if the application is CPE (Customer Premise Equipment).

<Heat resistance>

One of the issues is the impact of heat generation from RF components due to high-speed communication. However, Semtech modules are capable of monitoring the module temperature at the software level, for example, by periodically monitoring the temperature with AT commands and safely shutting down the system when the temperature threshold is exceeded. In addition, a thermal model during communication is also provided, which can be used to verify temperature rises in advance.

<Antenna design>

As mentioned above, mmWave is greatly affected by the environment, so Semtech recommends performing characterization/calibration on the product. Conventional antenna design involves designing the characteristic impedance of the RF line on the board and improving EMI within the device, but mmWave communication now uses a modular antenna. This requires adjustments not only to the antenna installation position in the product form, but also to the antenna module itself. A typical example is the design of "beamforming."

beam forming

beamforming principle

Massive MIMO antenna example

Beam forming is a technology that increases the directivity of radio waves in a specific direction. Conventionally, radio waves are emitted in all directions at a specific frequency centered on the transmitting antenna, but beam forming is a technology that narrows the direction of radio wave emission to a certain direction and increases the gain. As mentioned above, mmWave is a frequency band that is less likely to propagate to the opposite side than LTE, so beam forming improves propagation to a specific direction/frequency.

The principle of beamforming is "phase." When frequencies of the same phase are combined, the amplitude is amplified (a), and when they are out of phase, the amplitude is attenuated or canceled out (b). Using this property, beamforming oscillates and amplifies the frequencies contained in the transmitted radio waves that are in phase with the original frequency, and oscillates the opposite phase frequency to cancel out the reflected waves (noise) caused by the transmission. This makes it possible to transmit the desired data in the desired direction over a longer distance using the mmWave frequency band.

Beamforming is achieved by Massive MIMO antennas. This is a modular antenna IC that can transmit and receive from up to 128 arrays, and adjusts beamforming to these arrays. Semtech recommends Qualcomm: QTM525/QTM527.

Agenda for this video

• INTRODUCING SIERRA WIRELESS
• What you can do with 5G IOT
• EM919x Product Brief
• EM919x series comparison
• What MACNICA can do

If you are interested, please listen to it.

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