u-blox (Country Manager for Korea, Kwang-soo Son), a global leader in location tracking and wireless communication technology, has launched an ultra-compact module for applications requiring medium-speed transmission.

u-blox announced on the 30th that it is launching the LEXI-R10, an ultra-small LTE Cat 1bis IoT module measuring 16x16 mm.

This module provides a perfect solution for size-constrained designs, making it ideal for use cases such as asset tracking or aftermarket telematics.

With a size of 256 mm², the LEXI-R10 is three times smaller than the u-blox LENA-R8 (810 mm²), meeting the demands of the market for ultra-small LTE Cat 1bis modules and can be a perfect alternative for applications requiring Cat 1bis connectivity without requiring 2G fallback or location tracking functions.

The LEXI-R10 is designed as a single-mode LTE dedicated module. In contrast, the LENA-R8 is based on the embedded u-blox M10 GNSS platform and provides a reliable option for applications requiring 2G fallback and location tracking capabilities.

LTE Cat 1bis was first introduced in 3GPP Release 13 in 2016, but it has recently been attracting market attention as many regions around the world are planning to end or have already begun ending 2G cellular services.

LTE Cat 1bis is available worldwide via LTE networks and is more cost-effective than LTE categories with higher transmission speeds.

The LEXI-R10 module is an ultra-compact single-mode module that provides indoor location tracking and a U.S. MNO-certified core.

In addition, this module provides Wi-Fi connectivity, allowing it to scan for available Wi-Fi hotspots. The information obtained in this way can be utilized in location tracking applications through location-based services such as u-blox CellLocate Wi-Fi.

Samuele Falcomer, Senior Manager of the Cellular Product Center at u-blox, said, “The u-blox LEXI-R10 is a suitable choice for applications where size constraints are critical during design. For example, it perfectly meets the requirements of pet or person trackers. Thanks to its ultra-compact size, design engineers can try out designs that were previously unthinkable.”

The first samples of the u-blox LEXI-R10 are expected to be available in the first quarter of 2024.