Nordic Semiconductor has launched a development kit designed for RF engineers to develop cellular internet of things (IoT), DECT NR+ and non-terrestrial network (NTN) applications.
Called the nRF9151 SMA development kit, the module replaces internal antennas with SMA connectors. allowing engineers to connect external antennas or lab equipment for more precise characterization, Nordic said.
Additionally, Nordic launched a new modem firmware that adds NTN support to the nRF9151 module in the company’s first step toward enabling direct-to-satellite communication. The firmware also supports terrestrial LTE-M and NB-IoT networks as well as global navigation satellite system (GNSS).
Nordic said this will make it easier for engineers to develop and evaluate hybrid connectivity solutions using a combination of connection types.
The typical use case for these modules includes use in remote locations with weak cellular signals, smart buildings with dense node counts and industrial environments with RF shadowing.
“As engineers push the boundaries of wireless connectivity with satellite IoT and DECT NR+, they need development tools that offer flexible and precise RF performance,” said Kristian Sæther, senior product director long-range at Nordic Semiconductor. “The nRF9151 SMA DK provides exactly that, giving RF experts the granular control needed to validate their most ambitious designs, especially for the challenging RF environment of direct-to-satellite communication.”
