Guidance on Using PSM vs Complete Power-Off for Ultra-Low Power IoT Application (nRF9151)

RE: Guidance on Using PSM vs Complete Power-Off for Ultra-Low Power IoT Application (nRF9151)

Shashikant0 — Mon, 09 Mar 2026 04:51:04 GMT

Hello Federica

Thanks for reply !!!

[quote userid="149846" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/127308/guidance-on-using-psm-vs-complete-power-off-for-ultra-low-power-iot-application-nrf9151/562734"]Is the device stationary or moving during operation?[/quote]

A Device is stationary.

[quote userid="149846" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/127308/guidance-on-using-psm-vs-complete-power-off-for-ultra-low-power-iot-application-nrf9151/562734"]How would you describe the network conditions where the device is deployed (good coverage vs. poor coverage)?[/quote]

The device will be deployed in a poor or challenging network environment such as a basement or remote location where signal strength may be weak or unstable.”

[quote userid="149846" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/127308/guidance-on-using-psm-vs-complete-power-off-for-ultra-low-power-iot-application-nrf9151/562734"]In addition, could you clarify which power modes you are currently using or considering on the board? Some designs make use of different system-level low-power states (sleep or deep sleep).[/quote]

Currently, the device operates in a low-power architecture where the cellular module wakes up once per day to transmit data. After transmission, the module enters PSM (Power Saving Mode) to minimize power consumption. During PSM, the current consumption is around a few microamps(2.7uA as per datasheet)

[quote userid="149846" url="~/f/nordic-q-a/127308/guidance-on-using-psm-vs-complete-power-off-for-ultra-low-power-iot-application-nrf9151/562734"]Also, just to confirm: I assume you are using LTE-M or NB-IoT, and not NTN connectivity. Could you confirm this?[/quote]

Yes, the device is designed to use LTE-M / NB-IoT cellular connectivity. We are not using NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) connectivity.

RE: Guidance on Using PSM vs Complete Power-Off for Ultra-Low Power IoT Application (nRF9151)

Kazi Afroza Sultana — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:48:39 GMT

Hello,

''Could you please advise which approach is generally recommended for ultra-low-power IoT devices with very infrequent transmissions (once per day)? ''

PSM is approach you should follow.

As you are doing complete shutdown, I would like to say it's only better when you keep the device off for at least a week maybe.

You can read this Power saving techniques and can look at dev academy course Cellular IoT Fundamentals - Nordic Developer Academy

RE: Guidance on Using PSM vs Complete Power-Off for Ultra-Low Power IoT Application (nRF9151)

FedericaMayorga — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 13:50:24 GMT

Hi Shashikant,

A couple of questions that may help clarify the scenario:

Is the device stationary or moving during operation?

How would you describe the network conditions where the device is deployed (good coverage vs. poor coverage)?

In addition, could you clarify which power modes you are currently using or considering on the board? Some designs make use of different system-level low-power states (sleep or deep sleep).

Also, just to confirm: I assume you are using LTE-M or NB-IoT, and not NTN connectivity. Could you confirm this?

Best regards,
Federica from OWL Services