u-blox, a vendor of wireless and positioning modules and chips, announced Wednesday that it will provide the first LTE Cat 1 modules with voice over LTE (VoLTE) support to be certified for the AT&T cellular network. The TOBY-R202 and TOBY-R200 modules will support a range of industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
The TOBY-R2 module series supports multi-band LTE-FDD along with 3G (UMTS) and 2G (GSM) fallback in a very small LGA package.
The modules are ideal for applications that are transitioning to LTE from 2G and 3G, due to the long term availability and scalability of LTE networks. At the same time in areas with marginal LTE coverage, they also provide global 2G and 3G fallback.
With a range of interface options and an integrated IP stack, the module is designed to support a range of data-centric applications. The combination of performance, flexibility and global coverage make the module suited for medium speed M2M applications, such as smart energy gateways, remote access video cameras, digital signage, tele- health and telematics.
When power saving mode is enabled, it reduces energy consumption and allows battery-powered modules a longer operation time.
The temperature range of –40 to +85 °C guarantees operation in harsh environments and in very compact designs. It supports Voice over LTE (VoLTE) and 3G voice service (CSFB) for applications where voice is required, such as in security and surveillance systems. Transport Layer Security (TLS) provides privacy and data integrity.
The compact LGA package enables straightforward automated manufacturing. Easy migration from u-blox GSM/GPRS, CDMA, and UMTS/HSPA maximizes the investments of customers, simplifies logistics, and enables very short time-to-market.
TOBY-R2 modules are manufactured in ISO/TS 16949 certi- fied sites, with the highest production standards and the highest quality and reliability. Each module is fully tested and inspected during production. Modules are qualified according to ISO16750 – for systems installed in vehicles. USB drivers and RIL software for Android are free of charge.
The u-blox TOBY-R202 and TOBY-R200 modules come in a compact 24.8 x 35.6 mm form factor. Using u-blox’s nested design, migration between the TOBY-R2 modules and other u-blox 2G, 3G and 4G modules is easy, while enabling future-proof, seamless mechanical scalability across technologies.
The two u-blox TOBY-R2 LTE Cat 1 modules support a myriad of IoT and M2M applications requiring voice over the LTE Cat 1 network, such as smart home and buildings (alarm panels, security systems and video surveillance), connected health (patient monitoring and stay-in-place solutions), automotive emergency handling and roadside assistance, smart payments (POS systems, connected vending machines, ATMs, etc.), wearables (action cams), and smart metering (electricity and smart meter gateways).
“u-blox is a global leader in developing cellular modules designed for IoT and M2M applications,” said Drazen Drinic, Product Manager Cellular at u-blox. “We are pleased to extend our long-time relationship with AT&T to supply LTE Cat 1 modules with VoLTE capability to the AT&T network.”
“Voice is an important feature to many use cases in IoT,” said Chris Penrose, President, IoT Solutions, AT&T. “The u-blox Cat 1 LTE modules with VoLTE support will offer robust connectivity to many of our customers requiring voice support capability in the alarm and security industry, automotive and connected health markets.”
“Voice has a pivotal role to play in the Industrial IoT segments where automation, robotics and mobility will factor in, as well as in the Consumer segment for consumer healthcare, smart home and smart building applications,” said Andrew Brown, executive director at Strategy Analytics. “We project that voice could capture up to 12% of Industrial and 18% of consumer IoT applications by 2022.”
