Qualcomm Wants Its Modem To Be an IIoT Standard
- By CDOTrends editors
- May 25, 2021
Qualcomm Technologies has launched a purpose-built Internet of Things (IoT) modem solution equipped with 5G connectivity and optimized for Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications.
The Qualcomm® 315 5G IoT Modem-RF System is a modem-to-antenna solution designed to support the IoT ecosystem in building upgradeable LTE and 5G devices for IoT verticals. It seeks to accelerate the adoption of 5G connectivity for IoT and expand the overall opportunity for 5G in the IoT industry.
According to the company, the modem was built for industrial and enterprise applications, provides gigabit connectivity, operates with low power, and has new thermal-efficient capabilities.
Vieri Vanghi, vice president of product management, said that the Qualcomm 315 5G IoT modem was built to meet manufacturing plants' physical demands and complement existing 5G devices companies already have in place. The chip can work in conditions ranging from -40 to 85 degrees Celsius, he added.
"The most important thing is that this device will enable smaller form factors than what you typically see today," said Vanghi.
Also, the chip supports 4G and 5G connections and 5G stand-alone mode, but not older technologies.
Vanghi noted that data rates are less than those on some of the company's mobile broadband chips and that this tradeoff allowed Qualcomm to make this chip smaller and more affordable.
"We have a reference design that enables a much smaller footprint, a 50% reduction if you look at the module level," he explained.
Another design element of the modem is that it is pin-to-pin compatible with LTE modules.
Vanghi said this means that the new chip can be swapped into existing devices, allowing customers to bring 5G connectivity to existing infrastructure.
The company expects the IoT modem to power many industrial IoT needs in industry segments ranging from energy, automation and manufacturing to precision agricultural, construction and mining. Qualcomm expects customers to use this modem to reconfigure factories and move from a wired facility to a wireless one.
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