Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, is delighted to announce the commercial availability of the RG255C-GL 5G RedCap Sub-6 GHz LGA module, delivering comprehensive 5G and 4G coverage across the globe.

Based on Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.’s Snapdragon® X35 baseband chipset, the RG255C-GL offers exceptional wireless performance, empowering seamless low-latency 5G communication and advanced features including 5G LAN, URLLC, and network slicing.

The RG255C-GL, conforming to 3GPP Release 17 standards, features a compact LGA form factor measuring 32.0mm x 29.0mm x 2.4mm. With impressive data rates of 223 Mbps downlink and 123 Mbps uplink, it is tailored for applications such as CPEs, MiFi, Router, Gateway, or Industrial PDA. Additionally, this module supports LTE Cat 4 and 5G Sub-6 SA mode, ensuring compatibility with Rel-15 and Rel-16 networks for seamless integration and versatile deployment.

Furthermore, the module is compatible with Quectel 4G module EG2x series modules with smaller sizes, which can meet customers’ different application demands for medium speed, large capacity, low latency, and high reliability, making it ideal for customers to design in to current device applications.

“Having the RG255C-GL 5G RedCap module commercially available offers our customers access to the benefits of 5G without the accompanying expense and power consumption,” commented Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“This technology paves the way for diverse IoT applications requiring worldwide 4G and 5G coverage with ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) and network slicing.”

RG255C-GL is designed for the global market and covers nearly all the mainstream carriers worldwide. The module features Qualcomm® IZat location technology, offering GPS, GLONASS, BDS, and Galileo positioning functionalities. With its integrated GNSS receiver, customers can streamline their product design while enjoying enhanced positioning capabilities with greater speed and accuracy.

A wide range of interfaces including USB 2.0, PCle 2.0, PCM, UART, SGMII and SPI alongside a large number of drivers means that this module is ideal for a wide range of RedCap applications.

Quectel prioritizes security throughout the development of its IoT modules. Starting from product architecture to firmware/software development, Quectel integrates top industry practices and standards to address potential vulnerabilities. They collaborate with third-party independent test houses to mitigate risks and implement security measures such as generating SBOMs and VEX files, as well as conducting firmware binary analysis throughout the entire software development lifecycle.

The RG255C-GL RedCap module will be available alongside a series of antennas, providing developers with the ability to purchase module and antennas at the same time, reducing cost and time to market.

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Sequans Communications, S.A., a leading cellular IoT chipmaker, announces that it has been granted financing of 10.9 million EUR from the French government as part of the France 2030 initiative to support the development of technologies deemed to be strategically important to the national interest.

Such financing will be received with an upfront payment followed by three milestone payments over the duration of the project. The France 2030 initiative, operated for the state by Bpifrance, aims to transform key sectors of the French economy, including the telecom sector, called for projects to accelerate the development of 5G and beyond as “sovereign solutions”.

In its proposal, Sequans outlined a plan to create a new generation massive IoT chip supporting 5G NR eRedCap (5G new radio enhanced reduced capability) that meets the requirements of the 3GPP standard defined in Release 18 and beyond. 5G NR eRedCap will comply with the latest 5G NR networks and address massive IoT applications with cost-effective, low-power, and ultra-reliable connectivity required for industrial, utilities, medical, asset tracking, and automotive applications.

Georges Karam, Sequans CEO, said:

“We are grateful that our proposal was chosen by France 2030 as it strengthens and secures our massive IoT low-power 5G product portfolio development. In addition to 5G NR eRedCap support, this new chip will be backward compatible with existing 4G networks, providing a smooth transition path from 4G to the latest 5G networks for the next ten years”.

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Fibocom is delighted to announce the successful implementation of the 5G RedCap module solution, the cutting-edge innovation integrates with advanced 5G capabilities, to multiple application scenarios through collaborative efforts with industry partners from diversified segment markets. By achieving momentum across industries, the 5G RedCap module solution that Fibocom offers is capable of delivering a high-performance and cost-effective connectivity service for industry customers at the early stage of the 5G RedCap rollout.

Fibocom announces an industry-leading momentum of implementing deployable and commercialized 5G RedCap module solution to 5G IoT scenarios, in collaboration with well-known customers including but not limited to Askey, Quanta Computer, PLANET, companies of whom have profound influence in the vertical markets respectively.

Rigorous engineering testing and verification has been conducted to ensure the seamless integration of the latest generation 5G RedCap on customers’ devices. Enabling ultra-reliable data transmission and efficient network utilization under the 5G network catering to diverse application scenarios such as in-home connectivity, enterprises-level connectivity, and industrial-grade connectivity, etc.

Designed to offer a “lightweight” version of 5G and expand the proliferation of 5G in the IoT landscape, Fibocom has introduced a series of 3GPP R17 compliant 5G RedCap modules based on different chipset platforms, FG131, FG132, and FM330 during MWC Barcelona 2024. These RedCap modules are positioned to provide high-performance and cost-effective module solutions to industry customers fulfilling the smooth migration from 4G to 5G. It is worth noting that scalable form factor options are available for customers to adapt to the diversified market demands. Fibocom 5G RedCap module solution provides enhanced network performance, simplified hardware and antenna design while conserving low power consumption. By implementing Fibocom’s 5G RedCap module solution in customers’ terminal devices such as CPE, ODU, mobile hot-spot, dongle, industrial router, gateway, power equipment, in-vehicle smart device, camera, etc., allowing these devices to access 5G network in real-time and deliver superior data transmission performance in complex IoT environments, making it an ideal solution for the efficient management of business projects.

Askey Computer

“Askey is proud to partner with Fibocom on the development of the NR Lite 5G RedCap Camera, incorporating the advanced FG132 module. This collaboration represents a significant stride in our commitment to delivering top-tier networking solutions,” Said James Lee, BU Head of Camera R&D at Askey. “I am full of enthusiasm for this innovative outdoor camera designed to elevate video quality and provide global customers with unparalleled video services. With a range of accessories enhancing functionality, this collaboration aims to redefine the standards for 5G-connected cameras in outdoor environments.”

Quanta Computer Inc.

“Quanta and Fibocom have maintained a solid and close collaboration among LTE Cat1 to 5G solutions, build up a robust foundation for our partnership. While the upcoming RedCap market on the horizon, we are both poised for success. With the technical expertise and collaborative partnerships, Quanta and Fibocom are committed to deliver unique products and services, drive innovation in wireless communication industry and achieve the goal of expediting customer success.” Said Steve Cheng, VP & GM of Quanta Computer Inc.

PLANET Technology

“Aiming for the 5G infrastructure opportunities, PLANET continues to release a variety of 5G NR cellular communication solutions. The comprehensive product line includes the Industrial 5G IoT Fiber Gateway and the Industrial 5G NR Outdoor Unit (ODU) for harsh environments, the Enterprise 5G NR VPN Security Gateway and the 5G NR Compact Cellular Gateway. We believe that by applying Fibocom’s 5G RedCap module technology to PLANET already strong 5G cellular solution, we will be able to optimize product performance by providing high speed, low latency and secure data transmission. Making the deployment of 5G private network more flexible and cost effective. At the same time, satisfying the demand to accelerate industrial 5G private network deployment and IoT network.” Said Kent Kang, Senior Director of Product Engineering Department at PLANET.

“We are proud of the joint announcement of the commercially deployable 5G RedCap solution with our customers from diversified markets based on Fibocom’s 5G RedCap module portfolios. As an enabler in the ecosystem value chain, Fibocom will keep exploring the capabilities of 5G RedCap in the aspects of hardware design, network performance and power efficiency,” said Ronald Chan, VP of APAC Sales Department at Fibocom.

“We look forward to unleashing the full potential of 5G RedCap with our industry customers and helping customers to realize the monetization of 5G RedCap with less time to market.”

The post Fibocom Collaborates with Industry Partners to Accelerate 5G RedCap Commercialization in Extended Markets appeared first on IoT Business News.

Fibocom announces the launch of the industry-first T300-based 5G RedCap Module FM330 series in collaboration with MediaTek during MWC Barcelona 2024. Expanding the landscape of 5G with MediaTek’s T300, the new RedCap module series features incomparable wireless performances in high transmission reliability, cutting-edge hardware density design, and excellent power efficiency. The FM330 series is positioned to expand the 5G landscape to a broader range, covering consumer-level, enterprise-level and industrial-level scenarios.

Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, launches a new series of 5G RedCap module integrated with MediaTek’s T300 5G modem, which is the world’s first 6nm radio frequency system-on-chip (RFSOC) single die solution for 5G RedCap.

By integrating a single-core Arm Cortex-A3 processor in a significantly compact PCB area, the FM330 series are optimal solutions that offer extended coverage, increased network efficiency and device battery life for industry customers.

Compliant with 3GPP R17 standards, the FM330 series supports mainstream 5G frequency bands worldwide and is capable of reaching a maximum bandwidth of 20MHz, thus ensuring the peak data rate of up to 227Mbps downlink and 122Mbps uplink, sufficient to meet the demand for 5G applications with less data throughput while balancing the power efficiency. In hardware design, it adopts the M.2form factor measured at 30x42mm benefiting from the unique RFSOC solution integrated with T300, in addition to the optimized antenna design in 1T2R, which significantly saves the PCB area. Moreover, FM330 series is pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 6 module FM101, easing the concerns for customers’ migration from 4G to 5G. Furthermore, the module provides 64QAM/256QAM (optional) modulation scheme to greatly optimize the cost and size.

5G Dongle solution built-in with Fibocom 5G RedCap module FM330

5G dongles are gaining popularity in providing portable high-speed, ultra-reliable, and on-device connectivity anywhere, anytime, broadening the landscape of 5G FWA to more use cases. Fibocom’s FM330 series supports mainstream operating systems including Windows, Linux, and Android to match the diversity of terminals. Equipped with a standard USB peripheral interface, itis easy to access the internet with plug and play, and can be widely applied to terminal devices such as PC, tablets, drones, industrial routers, and more. Fibocom will leverage the one-stop 5G dongle solution to help customers adapt to the fast-growing marketplace and realize 5G monetization with less time to market.

“As a key part of the newly announced T300 5G modem, RedCap is a means for us to democratize access to 5G features, making it easier for customers to deliver a wide range of 5G-enabled IoT devices,” said Evan Su, General Manager of Wireless Communications Business Unit at MediaTek. “We’ve been working closely with Fibocom as a partner to ensure faster, more reliable 5G products around the world and power the next generation of connectivity.”

“We are honored to introduce the FM330 series with MediaTek at the world-class stage during MWC 2024, the T300 is an advanced chipset platform that is equipped with multiple cutting-edge designs and will be 100% integrated into Fibocom’s FM330 series modules,” said Simon Tao, VP of MBB BU at Fibocom.

“The exclusive and robust partnership we shared with MediaTek will reflect on the evolution of 5G towards next stage and beyond, and we have the confidence to expand the 5G adoption to a large-scale ecosystem with scalable, customized wireless solutions.”

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TCL, a pioneer in display technology across feature-rich smartphones, tablets, and connected devices, launched today at MWC 2024, TCL LINKKEY IK511, one of the world’s first 3GPP R17 5G RedCap USB dongle powered by Snapdragon® X35 5G Modem-RF System from Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

The product marks a significant milestone in the commercialization of the 5G RedCap for M2M (Machine to Machine) and consumer use cases, advancing TCL’s commitment to making 5G accessible for everyone, everything, everywhere.

5G RedCap is a new technology defined in 3GPP R17. It reduces costs and power consumption compared to 5G eMBB [1] which can help users quickly enjoy the convenience brought by 5G with less investment. This can liberate the 5G connectivity potential for wider application scenarios.5G RedCap will be the important momentum for the upcoming 5G deployments.

With the TCL LINKKEY IK511, TCL aims to expedite the deployment of 5G applications by promoting the adoption of the 5G RedCap. TCL LINKKEY IK511 is a perfect product for the M2M field, speeding up the industrial rapid development of digitalization.

“Qualcomm is enabling a world where everyone and everything can be intelligently connected. The Snapdragon X35 5G Modem-RF System, one of the first commercially available 5G RedCap modems, is advancing a unified 5G platform for IoT and entry tier broadband devices to help expand the 5G ecosystem to new devices, form factors and experiences. The TCL LINKKEY IK511 is an advanced implementation of RedCap that makes it easy and fast to bring 5G connectivity to new M2M devices and use-cases.” said Gautam Sheoran, vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.

“TCL has been leading in the global MBB field for many years, we have always been committed to developing leading and practical products to help users around the world ‘connect the unconnected, create seamless connection.’ The TCL LINKKEY IK511 is amongst the first batch of 5G RedCap devices based on cutting-edge Snapdragon X35 Platform which can bring more potential for new 5G network. Together with Qualcomm Technologies, TCL will bring 5G to more customers and help to mark a new chapter in the future of connectivity and interconnected devices, to accelerate global connectivity.” said Jesse Wu, General Manager of Smart Connected Device at TCL Communication.

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Quectel Wireless Solutions, a global IoT solutions provider, today announces the Quectel RG255G, a 5G RedCap MediaTek-based module.

5G Redcap, which is short for reduced capability, is a 5G variant defined in 3GPP Release 17 that combines the low latency and reliability of 5G with features such as network slicing in a cost-competitive chipset design with a lightweight architecture. For deployments that would benefit from these attributes but do not need the full capabilities of 5G, RedCap provides an elegant and cost-effective option.

The module, which is the world’s first 5G modem-RF system-on-chip (SoC), features MediaTek’s 5G RedCap UltraSave capability which results in 60% lower power consumption compared to existing 4G IoT modems, 70% lower power consumption compared to 5G extended mobile broadband (eMBB) modems and an additional 10% power saving with Release 17 power saving features enabled.

“We’re delighted to announce the Quectel RG255G 5G Red Cap module which will enable customers to access many of the advantages of 5G without having to accept the full cost and power demands of the technology,” said Norbert Muhrer, President and CSO, Quectel Wireless Solutions.

“We see 5G RedCap enabling a wide range of IoT use cases and applications that demand ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC) and network slicing.”

The Quectel RG255G offers downlink performance of 220Mbps and uplink performance of 121Mbps on 256QAM or 91Mbps on 64QAM. Available in three form factors, LGA, M.2, Mini PCIe, the RG255G family operates in 20MHz bandwidth and offers support for LTE Cat 4 as well as GNSS. The modules also offer multiple interfaces including USB 2.0 and PCIe 1.0.

“The T300 series is the world’s first 6nm radio frequency system-on-chip (RFSOC) single die solution for RedCap,” said Evan Su, General Manager of Wireless Communications Business Unit at MediaTek. “We see RedCap as a key means to democratize access to 5G features, providing our customers with the ability to optimize components and deliver 5G enabled devices for a wide range of applications at various price points.”

The RG255G module is ideal for applications that include power monitoring, point of sale, industrial automation, smart energy and smart grid, mid-speed mobile broadband and wearable devices.

Quectel’s IoT modules are developed with security at the core. From product architecture to firmware/software development, Quectel incorporates leading industry practices and standards, mitigating potential vulnerabilities with third party independent test houses and have incorporated security practices like generating SBOMs and VEX files as well as performing firmware binary analysis into the entire software development lifecycle.

The RG255G series will be available alongside a series of antennas, providing developers with the ability to purchase module and antennas at the same time, reducing cost and time to market.

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• Cutting-edge 5G RedCap modules and devices sampled to be commercially available in the second half of the year
• Industry collaboration signals strong support for the mainstream introduction of 5G for IoT

Telit Cinterion, an end-to-end IoT solutions enabler, announces the integration of its groundbreaking 5G RedCap M.2 card, the FN920C04, into Digi International’s Digi IX20 industrial router and Digi EX15 enterprise router.

This historic integration, in collaboration with Nokia, marks a significant milestone for all parties, demonstrating a shared commitment to evolving 5G technology and future-proofing customer networks.

5G RedCap, a foundational 5G technology, addresses the unique requirements of mid-speed IoT applications in the era of 5G Standalone (5G SA) networks. With a focus on improved quality of service, low latencies, enhanced capacities, and heightened security, 5G RedCap is the ideal solution to ensure extended device lifecycle and longevity in the mid-speed IoT market.

In contrast to early 5G technologies tailored for enhanced Mobile Broadband, 5G RedCap reduces performance levels and economic barriers to those needed for mid-speed IoT applications. Compared to 4G, 5G RedCap provides an improved uplink data rate, which is crucial for router/ gateway and camera applications. Additionally, it enhances power efficiency, making it essential for battery-operated devices like telematics units, ensuring extended device operation.

Telit Cinterion has developed a comprehensive family of RedCap modules that leverage the Snapdragon® X35 5G Modem-RF System — including LGA modules like the FE910C04 and M.2 cards such as the FN920C04 — to provide seamless hardware integration into diverse applications. The dual-mode capability, including fallback to LTE Category 4, allows for a smooth transition from 4G LTE to 5G RedCap, ensuring optimal on-field connectivity. These modules set the industry benchmark for security and implementations, offering embedded processing through Telit Cinterion AppZone.

Digi International’s Digi IX20 industrial router, the rugged and secure centerpiece of this collaboration, is a versatile networking solution designed for mission-critical applications. One of its most attractive features is its field-replaceable Digi CORE® Plug-In Modem, which allows customers to deploy today, and easily move from 4G LTE to 5G RedCap. This flexibility enables seamless transitions, future-proofing investments, and the ability to keep pace with the ever-evolving connectivity ecosystem.

Additional features of the Digi IX20 industrial router include:

• Compact and economical cellular routing platform with an industrial feature set
• Redundant connectivity with dual SIMs and Digi SureLink®
• FirstNet Capable models for first responder communications
• Built-in Digi TrustFence® for device security, secure encrypted connections, ongoing monitoring, and support
• Digi Remote Manager® platform for easy setup, mass configuration, and management
• Dual Ethernet ports and a serial (RS-232) port for machine connectivity
• Digi WAN Bonding value-added service for WAN aggregation and seamless failover

Digi International’s Digi EX15 offers affordable, primary or backup enterprise connectivity for office, retail, and branch networks that cannot tolerate network downtime. With the Digi CORE Plug-in Modem, dual Ethernet and Wi-Fi, Digi EX15 offers flexible connectivity for enterprise networking.

Additional features of Digi EX15 include:

• Compact and economical cellular routing platform for enterprise networks
• Zero-touch provisioning and cloud management with Digi Remote Manager®
• Serial port for remote, out-of-band management
• Digi WAN Bonding value-added service for WAN aggregation and seamless failover

Initiated in 2023, Telit Cinterion’s collaboration with Digi International and Nokia is indicative of the industry’s unity in supporting the mainstream introduction of 5G for IoT. Telit Cinterion, Digi and Nokia are at the forefront of this monumental shift, focusing their collective efforts on shaping the future of industrial connectivity.

The state-of-the-art 5G RedCap modules and devices sampled at MWC Barcelona will be available for commercial purchase during the second half of 2024.

“This collaboration represents an incredible achievement in the evolution of 5G mid-speed industrial connectivity,” said Harald Remmert, CTO of Managed Solutions, Digi International. “The integration of Telit Cinterion’s 5G RedCap modules into our routers showcases our commitment to providing industry-leading and future-proof solutions for IoT applications.”

“Nokia has played a significant role in driving industry standards and the adoption of RedCap technology. We are committed to supporting the growth of the ecosystem to enable the further development of 5G industrial and enterprise applications. This joint live demonstration highlights the seamless integration of Digi’s routers powered by Telit Cinterion’s 5G RedCap modules with our 5G networks,” commented Ari Kynäslahti, Head of Strategy and Technology at Nokia Mobile Networks.

“We are proud to be leading the charge in 5G IoT solutions,” said Manish Watwani, Chief Marketing and Product Officer, Telit Cinterion.

“The integration of 5G RedCap technology into Digi International’s routers is reflective of our commitment to providing cutting-edge, high-performance connectivity for the evolving needs of the IoT landscape.”

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Providing comprehensive and efficient solutions for mid-to-high-speed IoT applications.

VeriSilicon today announced that it has collaborated with Innobase, a wireless communication technology and chip provider, to jointly launch a 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode modem solution.

The chip powering this new modem solution by Innobase has been taped out and verified, and is now in mass production and will be officially released to the global market soon.

5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) is an IoT-serving cellular technology defined by international standardization organization 3GPP in 5G Release 17. It is aimed at mid-to-high speed IoT application scenarios, and together with 4G LTE forms a complete cellular IoT ecosystem.

The joint launch of the modem solution comes as part of a strategic partnership between VeriSilicon and Innobase that will allow VeriSilicon to further expand its portfolio of wireless communication IPs and offer customers both 4G and 5G modem IP solutions. The two parties will also provide customers with a series of complete user equipment (UE) reference designs, covering critical components such as radio frequency (RF) transceivers and power management chipsets.

Lu Wenbo, Senior Vice President of Innobase, said, “We are delighted to collaborate with VeriSilicon to fully leverage Innobase’s Yunbao Modem and VeriSilicon’s wireless connectivity technology. This allows us to offer our customers leading IoT communication connectivity solutions. We have developed the world’s first commercially available IP that meets the 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode communication standards, and completed chip verification for mass production. It supports data and voice services of various application scenarios including RedCap communication modules, affordable 5G smart phones, wearables, Internet-connected smart vehicles, industrial IoT, video surveillance, and smart grids.”

“4G and 5G technologies are the mainstream mobile communication standards with long lifecycles and extensive application scenarios. Innobase has pioneered the launch and successful mass production of a 5G RedCap/4G LTE dual-mode modem chip, which demonstrates Innobase’s robust R&D and product commercialization capabilities,” said Wiseway Wang, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Custom Silicon Platform Division of VeriSilicon.

“VeriSilicon is dedicated to the development and industrialization of low-power, high-performance IoT wireless communication technologies. Based on VeriSilicon’s accumulated expertise in RF technologies and proprietary ZSP Digital Signal Processor (DSP) IPs, we have developed comprehensive wireless communication solutions that incorporate RF IPs, baseband IPs and software protocol stacks. By leveraging the advantages of advanced 22nm FD-SOI process in terms of low power consumption and high RF performance, we can deliver all-in-one wireless system designs, supporting diverse technical standards and applications such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cellular IoT, and multi-mode satellite navigation and positioning. These solutions have been integrated into multiple customer SoCs with mass production.”

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“Operators and vendors must prove RedCap’s use cases and drive maturity in the ecosystem to pursue new revenue and monetisation opportunities.”

5G reduced capability (RedCap) is a connectivity standard that enables IoT devices to operate more efficiently and to use less bandwidth than traditional 5G devices (for example, smartphones), which reduces the cost of the associated applications because they do not require full 5G capacity. RedCap technology has the potential to increase the addressable market for 5G while providing additional capabilities over existing low-performance IoT solutions. Both vendors and operators should view 5G RedCap as an opportunity to diversify network use cases and drive network monetisation. However, operators and vendors must also ensure that they consider the strengths and limitations of the technology as part of proving its use cases and driving maturity within the ecosystem.

RedCap technology can offer a functional ‘middle ground’ between high performance 5G and NB-IoT

RedCap technology was first standardised in 3GPP’s Release-17 in 2022. It allows IoT devices to leverage a subset of the capabilities of the 5G network to support applications that fall between the performance requirements of 5G and narrow band IoT (NB-IoT). In this way, 5G RedCap provides a middle ground of connectivity; leveraging some of 5G’s advanced capabilities (such as low latency, high reliability and a higher peak data rates), as well as outperforming 5G enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) in terms of component costs and battery life (see Figure 1).

Figure 1: Comparison of RedCap’s capabilities with those of enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), LTE-M enhanced machine type communication (eMTC) and NB-IoT

In some scenarios, RedCap could offer a viable alternative to the two existing 4G-based IoT standards: LTE Category (Cat) 1–4 and NB-IoT. The technology will offer the following benefits over existing IoT standards.

• Reduced latency compared with existing LTE-M (eMTC) and NB-IoT technologies. This enables RedCap to support applications that require near real-time data communication.
• Higher peak data rates than LTE Cat 1 and NB-IoT to support new IoT applications that require greater bandwidth.
• Capacity to leverage new 5G capabilities including the benefits of the 5G core, such as network slicing and advanced positioning.

The reduced capabilities of RedCap devices will also offer the following benefits, which are not offered by 5G URLLC or eMBB for IoT devices and applications.

• Improved power efficiency. Compared with eMBB and URLLC, RedCap’s improved power efficiencies create a middle ground in terms of functionality and battery life.
• Reduced costs. As well as potentially lower costs than traditional devices, RedCap devices can use half-duplex frequency division duplex (FDD) transmission mode to leverage less costly switches rather than expensive duplexers.

There are also other new 5G IoT technologies that must be considered by stakeholders, such as mMTC, advanced 5G sensing and passive IoT. However, 5G RedCap offers an alternative to these technologies that is optimal for certain use cases and could create different opportunities in new and existing applications.

RedCap technology will enhance existing applications and enable new use cases, but the ecosystem is not yet mature

The following key applications for RedCap are anticipated.

• Industrial wireless sensors. This includes connected sensors for remote monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy management and asset tracking. While RedCap’s higher cost and power consumption currently limit its suitability in narrowband applications, its benefits in terms of latency and reliability make it suitable for more-critical applications. Its ability to leverage 5G improved positioning and network slicing also expands its addressable market beyond that of 4G IoT.
• Wearables. Small, connected devices (including smart watches, health monitoring devices, fitness trackers and AR/VR headsets) can be worn on the body and equipped with sensors and processors to collect and transmit data. RedCap technology enables wearables to access 5G’s lower latency, higher data rates and advanced positioning, but with a smaller device size, improved power efficiency and reduced costs.
• Surveillance devices. This includes cameras or recording devices, such as security cameras, body cams and facial recognition systems. RedCap technology could offer a lower cost alternative to 5G eMBB connectivity for these applications, potentially improving the business case for 5G connected cameras.
• Smart grids. Smart electrical grids are connected to the network to improve efficiency, reliability and sustainability. The numerous applications of smart grids are dependent on connectivity, such as smart metres, and grid sensors and for real-time monitoring. RedCap is able to bring improved latency, peak data rates and reliability to these applications compared with traditional IoT connections such as NB-IoT and LTE-M.
• Fixed–wireless access (FWA). RedCap technology can lower cost, lower performance and more compact customer premises equipment (CPE) for 5G FWA. This could help FWA to better address some emerging market opportunities where CPE prices are the main barrier to adoption.

Although 5G RedCap will offer a new balance of cellular connectivity for IoT that will be applicable across a range of applications, it remains an emerging technology that needs to prove that it can add value to end users. At the moment, RedCap has still not reached substantial commercialisation and its ecosystem remains immature, which could slow adoption of the technology.

Operators and vendors should see 5G RedCap as a key opportunity, but one that still needs proof and ecosystem support

Although RedCap will not serve all IoT applications, its potential to augment operators’ IoT offerings and to support new market segments makes it a valuable opportunity. Over the past year, trials of RedCap chipsets and products have continued to break ground and its performance enhancements in 5G Advanced are expected to further increase its utility. Consequently, both vendors and operators should see 5G RedCap as an opportunity to diversify network use cases and drive network monetisation. However, investment to support RedCap’s capabilities will only be justified if the industry can prove its advantages and use cases for customers.

Operators and vendors should consider themselves as key enablers of RedCap, not only in terms of connectivity, but also in driving ecosystem maturity. In applications such as surveillance, smart grids, sensors and wearables, both operators and vendors should build specialised partnerships, support new device manufacturers and demonstrate the benefits that RedCap can offer both existing markets and new applications. By doing so, operators and vendors can accelerate the pace of ecosystem maturity to increase RedCap adoption and new revenue opportunities.

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MediaTek debuts RedCap modem technology and chipset family to expedite the transition to 5G-NR for consumer, enterprise, and industrial IoT applications.

Leveraging its industry expertise in 5G connectivity, MediaTek announced it is expanding its family of modems and chipsets to support 5G RedCap.

The new solutions, the M60 modem IP and the MediaTek T300 chipset series, will make it easy for MediaTek to facilitate the transition to 5G-NR for a wide range of applications that require long lasting and efficient battery life, such as wearables, light-weight AR devices, IoT modules, and devices built with edge AI in mind.

RedCap, which stands for “reduced capability,” is designed to bring the benefits of 5G to NR consumer, enterprise, and industrial devices. Taking full advantage of the evolution of 5G networks to the Standalone (SA) network architecture, RedCap promises to deliver reliability for devices that have low bandwidth requirements, offering many of the benefits of 5G without the cost and complexity of typical 5G solutions.

“Our RedCap solutions are a significant part of our mission to democratize 5G, providing our customers the ability to optimize components and deliver 5G-enabled devices from a range of applications and a range of price points,” said JC Hsu, Corporate Senior Vice President at MediaTek.

“The migration to 5G RedCap will replace legacy 4G/LTE solutions, offering significantly better power efficiency and more reliable user experiences compared to leading edge 5G eMMB modem solutions and legacy 4G LTE Cat 4 and Cat 6 devices.”

As the world’s first 6nm Radio Frequency System-On-Chip (RFSOC) single die solution for RedCap, the MediaTek T300 series is breaking new ground in the RedCap space. This RFSOC will allow brands to capitalize on the emerging RedCap market and create innovative designs for enterprise, industrial, consumer, AR, and data-card applications. Built on the highly efficient TSMC 6nm process, the MediaTek T300 series integrates a single-core Arm Cortex-A35 in a significantly more compact PCB area. The MediaTek T300 series supports up to 227 Mbps downlink and 122 Mbps uplink data rates.

Both the T300 series and the M60 5G modem IP support the 3GPP R17 standard and combine MediaTek’s industry-leading power efficiency with coverage enhancements and extremely low latency. By leveraging MediaTek’s UltraSave 4.0 technology and reducing unnecessary paging receptions, the M60 offers up to a 70% reduction in power consumption compared to similar 5G eMBB solutions and up to 75% power savings compared to 4G LTE solutions.

MediaTek’s RedCap solutions are driving a new wave of efficiency, reliability, and cost-savings for 5G-enabled devices across the consumer, enterprise, and industrial sectors to meet ever-evolving connectivity requirements and expectations. The MediaTek T300 series devices will sample in the first half of 2024, with commercial samples in the second half of 2024.

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At the Global Mobile Broadband Forum (MBBF) 2023, Huawei and its industry partners released the latest commercial RedCap achievements, demonstrating that RedCap has entered large-scale commercial use worldwide.

This marks a key milestone of the RedCap industry. Currently, more than 10 carriers from seven countries across the globe have piloted commercial RedCap. The RedCap connections are expected to exceed 100 million in the next three years, consolidating a new foundation for digital connections that drives the development of new 5G applications.

As a lightweight 5G technology, defined in 3GPP Release 17, RedCap can ensure an optimal balance between costs and performance for various industries such as manufacturing, electric power, home broadband, vehicle to everything (V2X), and smart wearables. The cost of RedCap modules (down to USD10) is 80% lower than that of 5G eMBB modules. RedCap has 10-fold higher network capacity than 4G and its devices consume 20% less power than 4G devices. It also supports key 5G capabilities such as URLLC, network slicing, edge computing, and 5G LAN to meet diversified network requirements of industry applications.

This MBBF gathers industry partners including global carriers, industry customers, and device and module vendors to discuss the network deployment, ecosystem, applications, and future development of the RedCap industry. In a keynote speech, Ding Xin, Vice President of TD Tech, shared RedCap industry insights and ecosystem progress by pointing out that RedCap defined new lightweight 5G IoT to enable massive connections and allow us to usher in a new era of cellular IoT.

A series of RedCap commercial achievements were released at the 5G Industry Summit: Huawei, together with China Mobile, China Telecom, and China Unicom, has implemented the end-to-end commercial deployment of RedCap in more than 10 cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Foshan, Ningde, Jinan, and Suzhou, spanning industries like manufacturing, electric power, and V2X. They will continue to build a series of commercial RedCap benchmarks. Leading global carriers, such as e& UAE, STC Saudi Arabia, Zain KSA, STC Kuwait, Zain Kuwait, STC Bahrain, and AIS Thailand have also completed the technical verification or commercial pilot for RedCap.

The end-to-end RedCap ecosystem has matured. Huawei and its industry partners including Lierda, Aumiwalker, Hangzhou For-X, and Hongdian exhibited more than 10 products encompassing RedCap modules, DTUs and CPEs at this MBBF. It is estimated that more than 50 industry devices will have been launched by the end of 2023, accelerating the deployment of RedCap applications and scaling up of its connections.

Looking ahead, Huawei will work alongside global carriers, industry customers, and device and module vendors to promote large-scale RedCap network deployment and enrich applications, realizing a prosperous ecosystem that will inject new impetus into the development of the 5G industry and vitalize the mobile economy.

The post Huawei and Industry Partners Set Sail for Global RedCap Commercial Release appeared first on IoT Business News.

• NR-Light or RedCap, a new class of 5G, fills the gap between high-speed mobile broadband devices and extremely low-bandwidth devices
• First generation 5G RedCap IoT modules offer worldwide coverage with LTE Cat 4 fallback and flexible form factors
• Modules integrate perfectly with Telit Cinterion connectivity and services, encompassing NExT data plans, connectivity activation, AppZone and OneEdge

Telit Cinterion, a global enabler of the intelligent edge, today announced the introduction of its first-generation 5G RedCap IoT modules, leveraging Snapdragon® X35 5G Modem-RF System, the world’s first 5G NR-Light modem-RF system.

By leveraging Snapdragon X35, Telit Cinterion offers its customers an unparalleled evolution path from mid-speed LTE to cost-effective 5G, ensuring they remain at the forefront of technological progress and can transition seamlessly to the latest technology when the time is right.

As defined by 3GPP Release 17, the 5G New Radio (NR) RedCap is a new, mid-tier 5G device class to serve ‘middle of the range’ IoT use cases. RedCap benefits from the scale of 5G NR networks, while using fewer 5G NR capabilities for an optimum balance of features versus cost and power consumption.

The new 5G RedCap modules offer efficiency and reliability and include two new compact LGA modules — the PVR81 and FE910C04 — pin-to-pin and software compatible with Telit Cinterion LTE modules, as well as the FN920C04 M.2 standard adapter card. These modules offer premium throughput of 220Mbps/100Mbps in DL/UL, surpassing LTE Cat.4 capability through higher QAM modulation. The modules ensure backward compatibility with R15/16 and LTE Cat 4 fallback, guaranteeing seamless communication and coverage.

Purpose-built to cater to a variety of industries, the new 5G RedCap IoT modules feature a rugged design, making them suitable for a wide range of demanding applications, including agricultural and construction telematics, industrial gateways, health care and security and surveillance. With the continuous expansion of IoT applications, these modules provide a future-proof solution that extends the lifecycle of LTE Cat 1 and Cat 4 modules, ensuring long-term viability and performance with compatible hardware form factors that allow customers to upgrade their devices to 5G while keeping the same hardware design. The incorporation of state-of-the-art positioning accuracy with dual-band L1/L5 high-performance embedded GNSS further enhances their capabilities.

Notably, the new 5G RedCap IoT modules simplify connectivity with an onboard eSIM ready for connectivity activation and NExT connectivity. Additionally, OneEdge and embedded processing capability enabled by AppZone ensure advanced capabilities for device management and processing.

The first-generation 5G RedCap modules come with multiple SKU options, including fully global variants on all form factors, catering to customers’ diverse requirements across the world. The 5G RedCap IoT modules, powered by Snapdragon X35, provide a solution that is not only forward-looking but also capable of adapting to the changing technological landscape. As IoT applications continue to shape industries, these modules empower businesses to embrace innovation and drive progress.

“We are excited to continue our collaboration with industry leaders such as Telit Cinterion to advance ecosystem commercialization of NR-Light globally,” said Preethika Adyanthaya, Director of Product Management, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “This announcement showcases the combined strength of Telit Cinterion’s expertise in IoT solutions and Qualcomm Technologies’ leading connectivity technology, enabling a new and wide range of use cases in various product categories.”

“Our collaboration with Qualcomm Technologies represents a significant milestone in our commitment to delivering cutting-edge IoT solutions,” said Marco Contento, VP of Product Management, Mobile Broadband, Telit Cinterion.

“The 5G RedCap modules powered by Snapdragon X35 provide a future-proof evolution path for a wide variety of IoT applications, ensuring our customers are equipped with the latest technology to drive innovation in their respective verticals.”

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Fibocom showcases the new 5G RedCap modules portfolio including the new FG131 series and FG132 series at MWC Shanghai 2023. By addressing multiple key features of 5G RedCap, the FG131 module series allows the smooth and fast transition from 4G to 5G benefiting from the form factor design, and delivering a highly cost-effective solution for CPE, ODU, mobile hot-spot, USB Dongle users.

Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, demonstrates the 5G RedCap module portfolio at MWC Shanghai 2023.

Along with the FG132 module series, the brand new FG131 series is introduced to scale up the 5G NR light deployment for use cases such as CPE, ODU, mobile hot-spot, and USB Dongle, etc.

Leveraging ubiquitous cellular coverage, optimized power-saving, and reduced complexity, 5G RedCap is gaining more and more attention within the IoT industry. The newly launched Fibocom 5G RedCap module FG131 series offers a high-performance and ultra-reliable wireless solution for application scenarios that are cost-sensitive and power-enduring. Packaged in LGA form factor at the size of 37mm*39.5mm, Fibocom FG131 is pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 6 module FG101 and FG621 series that allows smooth migration from 4G to 5G RedCap. Compliant with 3GPP Release 17, it supports 5G SA and reaches peak rates of up to 226Mbps downlink and 120Mbps uplink theoretically. With these key features combined, the Fibocom 5G RedCap module FG131 series delivers a new level of 5G network experience while maintaining high reliability and cost-effectiveness, especially for terminal devices used in mobile scenarios.

Additionally, the Fibocom FG132 series has adjusted to three form factor designs and multiple regional versions that align with customers’ requirements to accelerate the deployment of 5G RedCap worldwide. It is worth noting that these compact designs are pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 4 module NL668 and L716 series, and the dimension of FG132 (29mm*32mm in LGA form factor) account for only half the size of standard 5G module (41*44mm), significantly reducing the complexity of hardware design at the early stage of 5G RedCap adoption into terminals that shaped variously, for example, IP cameras, drones, wearable XR, etc. Moreover, the M.2 and miniPCIe form factors are the popular selections among manufacturing customers as both of them allow flexible connectivity ports while maintaining the compact size, thus making it easier for manufacturing customers to upgrade the existing LTE devices quickly without changing the hardware design. For example, industrial gateways, utility meters, etc.

“5G RedCap offers several advantages that make it particularly appealing for supporting IoT applications, and we are glad to scale up Fibocom’s RedCap portfolio with new FG131 series,” said Shawn Zhu, VP of Global Marketing, Fibocom.

“We are expecting to see RedCap gaining further prominence by providing the highly-integrated and fast-to-deploy RedCap modules across the IoT industry, ensuring IoT customers utilize all possible benefits of high-speed, reliable, power-efficient capabilities enabled by RedCap.”

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Fibocom introduces the 5G RedCap module series FG132-NA to its cellular product portfolio during Computex 2023. It is designed to offer downscaled connectivity service to mid-tier applications under the 5G landscape by bringing a realm of key advancements such as smaller compact size, optimized power efficiency and lower cost efficiency.

Fibocom, a global leading provider of IoT (Internet of Things) wireless solutions and wireless communication modules, announces the global launch of the new RedCap module series FG132-NA during Computex 2023.

Compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standard, FG132-NA series adopt the key features from 5G in both network reliability and spectrum utilization, while significantly improving the performance in energy efficiency and expanding the diversity of IoT scenarios.

5G has achieved remarkable milestones in the past few years by accelerating the digital transformation of manufacturing, private networks, online education and more use cases with its ultra-fast speed, low latency and high reliability. As technology evolves, 5G RedCap is introduced to connect the “dots” in IoT under the 5G landscape, which of them are the scenarios that require ultra-low latency and high reliability, but less bandwidth and long battery life. Therefore, RedCap is the technology tailor-made for smart grids, live streaming, industrial automation and smart wearables with its great performance in speed transmission and power efficiency, unleashing the full potential of 5G in IoT.

Fibocom FG132-NA series modules are compliant with 3GPP Release 17 standard, supporting 5G SA and are backward compatible with LTE Cat 4 networks. In terms of hardware architecture, the module series is adopting 1T2R antenna design along with LCC+LGA and M.2 form factors to satisfy the customers’ expectations in a diverse of use scenarios. The size of LCC+LGA form factor can be measured at 29*32mm, which is pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 4 modules for customers to upgrade to 5G smoothly. While the plug-and-play M.2 form factor offers a comprehensive solution for tablets and industrial gateways with a compact size at 30*42mm. By leveraging the 5G key advancements, FG132-NA supports up to 220Mbps downlink speed and 100Mbps uplink speed, as well as 5G slicing, 5G LAN, assuring the speed performance and network reliability in the daily operation of manufacturing factory, IPC, smart grids, etc.

In addition to a set of innovations, Fibocom FG132-NA also supports Open CPU with OpenWRT software, which allows customers to develop FWA applications such as CPE, Mobile hotspot, and DTU flexibly.

Jason Zhu, General Manager of MTC Product BU, Fibocom, said:

“5G RedCap is crucial to the mid-tier 5G deployments as it adapts multiple capabilities from tradition 5G while making lower power consumption and cost-ratio achievable.”

“We are thrilled to launch the FG132-NA series RedCap module at Computex, providing the ideal wireless solution for customers to expand the 5G ecosystem and driving the IoT applications toward ultra-reliable 5G connectivity at affordable price. With the rising migration from 4G to 5G, we are looking forward to unleashing the full potential of 5G in the global IoT markets with Fibocom RedCap modules.”

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