u-blox (Korea Country Manager Kwang-soo Son), a global leader in location tracking and wireless communication technology, has launched its first cellular and satellite multimode IoT module, ensuring seamless connectivity even when terrestrial cellular networks are unavailable.

u-blox announced on the 6th the SARA-S520M10L, a cellular and satellite IoT module featuring accurate low-power location tracking and ubiquitous connectivity.


The communication and location tracking capabilities of this module are ideal for asset tracking, platooning, shipping, mining, utilities, and smart agriculture applications. Furthermore, it provides highly useful functions for anti-theft systems, industrial monitoring and control, as well as applications requiring communication in safety-critical environments.

The u-blox SARA-S520M10L is the smallest multi-mode cellular and satellite IoT module on the market. This module provides connectivity via terrestrial cellular networks and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellites. Measuring approximately 400mm² and featuring LTE-M/NB-IoT, L-band satellite connectivity, and built-in navigation, this module is pin-compatible with other u-blox cellular-only modules in the SARA form factor. This module can provide position correction functions using up to four satellite constellations.

This product is the first u-blox module designed based on u-blox's second-generation UBX-R5 chip, the UBX-R52/S52. The S52 products were developed to support both LTE-M/NB-IoT cellular standards and satellite IoT communication.

Several factors have contributed to the growing demand to complement standard cellular connectivity using satellite communication within the IoT ecosystem. The need for global ubiquitous connectivity has steadily increased over the past few years, rising significantly particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. While the history of critical goods must be traceable within the supply chain, the coverage of terrestrial cellular networks covers only a fraction of the globe. At the same time, the IoT market is expanding at a steady pace, including use cases requiring network connectivity support in areas where cellular connections are unstable or non-existent.

Alessandro Bonetti, Senior Manager of Cellular Products at u-blox, said, “The u-blox SARA-S520M10L is u-blox’s first IoT module to integrate both cellular and satellite connectivity. Comparable solutions on the market require two separate subsystems for cellular and satellite connectivity. The SARA-S520M10L is built on a single, highly integrated multimode modem system-on-chip (SoC), reducing product size and design complexity.” He added, “Combining this versatile SoC with u-blox’s proprietary GNSS technology provides the perfect solution for mobile and fixed IoT applications in demanding environments such as remote areas, mountainous regions, or the middle of the ocean.”

The first samples of the u-blox SARA-S520M10L are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2024.