The RYZ024A module supports Cat-M1 today and will enable dual-mode (Cat-M1 and NB-IoT) next year via a software upgrade.
Renesas Electronics Corporation is expanding its low-power WAN product line as part of its strategy to deliver connectivity devices used for smart cities, smart homes, medical devices, and industrial applications. The new RYZ024A supports Cat-M1 and NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) internet connectivity without the need for a gateway and consumes just 1µA (microamp) while in power savings mode, significantly less than competing products. The RYZ024A supports extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) and has an extended voltage range from 2.2V to 5.5V which makes it ideal for battery-powered applications. Renesas announced the details of the new product at electronica, Munich, Germany, November 15-18, 2022.
The RYZ024A module delivers seamless Cat-M1 wireless connection capability, just like its predecessor, the RYZ014A module, but the new module also includes the option to integrate NB-IoT. While both Cat-M1 and NB-IoT are Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, NB-IoT is more power-efficient and so increases the operating life of battery-powered systems. Cat-M1 consumes all of the available spectrum, whereas NB-IoT only uses a fraction of it. Additionally, NB-IoT has exceptional coverage depth, even underground and inside of confined places. The module offers coverage at the cellular network’s periphery as well as deep indoor situations with two power amplifier output levels of 20dBm and 23dBm (decibel-milliwatts).
The RYZ024A is being created in partnership with Sequans, a pioneer in cellular IoT technology, and will undergo extensive testing before being certified to comply with all key radio frequency regulatory specifications established by groups like the Global Certification Forum (GFC) and the PCS Type Certification Review Board (PTCRB). Engineers may now begin developing IoT systems for major carriers in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe because the certification ensures compliance with difficult RF regulatory and carrier-specific criteria.
Engineers will be provided with the hardware and software they require, including an evaluation kit, a software stack, and RF certifications, from Renesas in order to create IoT-capable, power-constrained systems based on the RYZ024A. Due to the product’s comprehensive hardware and software support for integrating the RA or RX family of MCUs, designing in the RYZ024A module would result in a PCB size reduction of 60% and a development time reduction of up to 90% when compared to conventional chipset-based designs.
The “Solar Powered Location Tracker” solution, created by Renesas, is a modular asset tracking system with adaptable wireless alternatives for effective data transmission. A core MCU (RA2L1) that balances low-power needs, interfaces, performance, and flexibility is in charge of the solution. This solution offers connectivity options and an optimised power supply system that has been tested to hasten the development of tracker platforms, along with complementary Renesas products like power ICs and communication modules for Wi-Fi (DA16600MOD), Cat-M1 and NB-IoT module (RYZ024A), among others.
