u-blox SARA-R540S module, 400–450 MHz
Broadening coverage by enabling low-frequency LTE band communication
Built-in RoT, suitable for transmission of important confidential information


u-blox announced on the 20th that it is expanding its SARA-R5 LTE-M and NB-IoT communication product line by launching the 'SARA-R540S' module that supports the 400-450MHz LTE frequency band used in Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The SARA-R540S module can communicate on multiple LTE bands (31, 72, 73, 87, and 88). These low-frequency bands offer superior propagation, enabling customers in smart metering, public safety, smart grid, and smart city markets to meet stringent indoor and outdoor coverage requirements that can be difficult to achieve with standard cellular connectivity technologies.

The new module is based on the u-blox UBX-R5 cellular chipset and leverages features found in the SARA-R5 family. It supports high RF transmission power, providing improved range even in areas where coverage can be challenging, such as inside buildings.

It enables standard LTE band and power class 3 transmission with a maximum output power of 26 dBm in the 450 MHz band. It supports 3GPP bands 87 and 88 in the 410MHz frequency band, and dynamic antenna tuning allows designers to achieve maximum efficiency and coverage.

The SARA-R540S module is designed to enhance energy efficiency, a critical factor in remote and battery-powered products such as water and gas meters. Accordingly, it consumes less than 1μA in power-saving mode and features a last-gasp (last-gasp) function, which sends a final warning before a power outage, such as a power failure or power outage.

Additionally, it incorporates hardware and software that support u-blox's IoT Security-as-a-Service strategy. This makes it ideal for devices transmitting sensitive information in industrial or infrastructure applications, such as metering.

It also features a built-in hardware Root of Trust (RoT), which serves as the foundation for secure authentication of the device in the field. Advanced security is also ensured through a lightweight, pre-shared key management system specifically designed for Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) applications.