The wireless network infrastructure we are currently using supports massive amounts of communications between people and machines. And as the Internet of Things (IoT) continues to add more connected devices into this ecosystem, the machine-to-machine communications will increase exponentially. With numbers estimated in the tens of billions over the next decade, managing the network, hardware, software, data and security of the IoT is going to present a considerable number of challenges for manufacturers of IoT devices, telecoms, and network operators. Skyworks Solutions has just unveiled an LTE (News - Alert) Category M-1 and NB-1 front-end solutions to provide next generation communications for M2M and IoT applications requiring embedded cellular connectivity.
Skyworks Solutions (News - Alert) manufactures analog and mixed-signal semiconductors to empower wireless networking connectivity to bring people, places and things for applications in the automotive, broadband, cellular infrastructure, connected home, industrial, medical, military, smartphone, tablet and wearable markets. The connectivity the company provides within so many different verticals is part of the next generation of communications that is currently taking place in the digital world.
The next-generation LTE Category M-1 and NB-1 front-end solutions Skyworks just announced are multi-band modules that leverage half-duplex RF operations. The M-1 and NB-1 address Release 13 specifications of the 3GPP LTE standard providing dependable, secure, low-power connectivity in a compact package to deliver an integrated, turn-key solution. With this technology, original equipment manufacturers will be able to significantly accelerate the time to market of the products while simplifying the design process, shortening the development time and meeting operator requirements globally.
“With leading cellular network operators announcing plans to enable the latest IoT standards on their networks in 2017, Skyworks is pleased to be pushing the performance envelope and offering our customers a single SKU [stock-keeping unit], low-cost LTE solution that operates over multiple frequency bands and supports migration from 2G,” says VP of sales & marketing Carlos Bori.
The modules the company has developed allow wireless cellular communications for applications in consumer IoT devices, wearables, smart meters, action cameras and more that require LTE connectivity. Skyworks also said this development is paving the way for 5G machine-to-machine next generation communications networks.
The new portfolio of Skyworks' LTE front-end modules for IoT applications are made up of the SKY68000, SKY68001 and SKY68011.
Edited by Alicia Young