Options for nRF91 - Without GPS or standalone modem

[Jeffa]

Hi.

I was wondering if there are any options in the pipeline for the nRF91 series. Any pin-compatible variations of the SoC, like a device without GPS or BLE or other variations of the nRF91-series but with other/less functionality. Or is there perhaps a device capable of NB-IoT/LTE-M without the SoC functionality? A stand-alone modem for NB-IoT? 

Best regards,

Jesper Toftenes

Bitvis AS

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

There will be product options of nRF9160, described in the PS:

• nRF9160-SIAA: LTE-M only product
• nRF9160-SIBA: NB-IoT only product
• nRF9160-SICA: LTE-M/NB-IoT/GPS product

 

Other than the limited wireless technology in SIAA and SIBA, the SiP still contains the same architecture, peripherals and has the same electrical specifications. None of the variants (nRF91 in general) supports BLE.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[Jeffa]

Hi Andreas, thanks for the quick reply!

So my understanding is that there are options for either LTE-M, NB-IoT or both incl. GPS? 

But all include the Cortex-M33? 

Is there any plans for including BLE with an NB-IoT product in the future? Or plans for just the NB-IOT modem alone? 

Thanks! 

[Andreas]

Hi,

 

Only the nRF9160-SICA variant includes GPS, the LTE-M only and NB-IoT only variants do not support GPS. All variants include the M33. We have no plans for a modem alone, and probably will not have anytime soon. We will be releasing SW for 'thin modem' operation though, basically making the SiP act like a standalone modem, you just hook up to it using your serial interface of choice.

 

For details about future plans you will have to contact our regional sales manager who is handling your area. Let me know if you do not know who this is or if you need contact information.

 

Best regards,

Andreas

[Steinar]

Andreas, Just to clarify
I purchased the nRF9160 Development kit with the clear understanding that GPS functionality is included. In fact it have the nRF9160-SICA on board.
The next line on the chips says: BAA-E22.15
And the third: 11S7V
From what I understood and still hope I am right, is that this Kit then support GPS at least when it comes to the HW.
The kit box has sticker marking: "nRF6831 0.8.2 2018.49".
Now, the asset tracker just sends random GPS locations from Trondheim (near Nordic Semi office).
The information is also sent to the cloud, and all this is now checked and working
But when can we expect the "real" GPS functionality. As far as I remember this was promised long time ago.
My problem is that I need to come up with some real working solution asap.

Rgs
Steinar

[Mark]

Hi Andreas,

I'm very much interested in some kind of "thin modem" sample software. I have built/loaded/tested the at_client app, and the RF performance of the 9160_DK is encouraging. But I would like to check throughput under some low signal strength conditions. Ideally, with the DK as a thin modem, attached to a windows or linux system. Is the "thin modem" on the way?

Cheers,

Mark