▲ u-blox has launched two LTE Category 1 modules that support global coverage.

LARA-R6, LENA-R8 small form factor modules
Seamless roaming and low data rates

u-blox, a leading positioning and wireless communication technology company, is introducing two new modules to increase design flexibility for product developers.

u-blox announced on the 19th the launch of two small form factor modules capable of supporting global coverage.

The two modules are comprised of five certified product families supporting global, multi-region and region-specific cellular bands, simplifying component sourcing for product developers.

Both modules provide a smooth migration path for device manufacturers to 4G technology for data streaming applications. They also provide out-of-the-box MQTT Anywhere and MQTT Flex connectivity via u-blox’s Thingstream platform, enabling low-power, low-cost connectivity with seamless roaming anywhere in the world.

■ LARA-R6: Dual receiving antennas, ensuring stable signal reception

The LARA-R6 provides a cellular modem for telematics, location tracking, and medical applications, as well as alarms, smart meters, and POS terminals.

The LARA-R6 module series features dual receiving antennas. It ensures stable signal reception for use cases that require voice communication indoors or via VoLTE (voice over LTE). The LARA-R6 module provides root of trust (RoT), secure boot, and secure communication along with periodic security updates.

The LARA-R6 series is certified globally for 18 LTE frequency bands for universal connectivity, includes 2G/3G fallback capability, and supports all required LTE bands and technologies, with products certified by mobile network operators in North America (AT&T, Verizon, FirstNet, T-Mobile), as well as products for Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, and South America.

■ LENA-R8: Single receiving antenna, optimized for price/performance

Products in the LENA-R8 series feature the ultra-low-power u-blox M10 GNSS receiver, making them ideal for high-performance asset tracking applications.

The LENA-R8 module product adopts a single receiving antenna to optimize the price-performance ratio.

LENA-R8 supports a wide range of frequency bands and 2G fallback. Provides maximum roaming coverage for global location tracking applications using a single SKU (stock keeping unit).

All products in the LARA-R6 and LENA-R8 series support CellLocate, u-blox’s cellular network-based location service, providing approximate positioning data even when GNSS signals are not available.

“LARA-R6 and LENA-R8 are important additions to the u-blox LTE Category 1 portfolio, meeting the diverse needs of compact IoT solutions targeting global markets with seamless roaming and low data rates,” said Drazen Drinic, Product Manager Cellular at u-blox. “Both modules support global roaming with a single SKU, which greatly simplifies sourcing and supply chain management. The modules’ extremely small size gives developers greater design flexibility and smaller form factor.”