u-blox (Son Kwang-soo, President of u-blox Korea), a global leader in positioning and wireless communication technologies, has launched a new GNSS-integrated LTE-M module to improve connectivity in industrial applications.

u-blox announced on the 7th that it is launching two new products in its LTE-M cellular module series, SARA-R52 and LEXI-R52.

Designed for industrial applications, these modules are based on the u-blox UBX-R52 cellular chip and are designed for simultaneous positioning and wireless communication requirements.

Typical IoT use cases for this module include fixed and mobile applications such as water and gas metering, asset tracking and monitoring, and healthcare.

The u-blox UBX-R52 chip includes a number of new features that will allow users to eliminate the need for additional components when designing new products.

SpotNow is a new positioning feature unique to u-blox that provides position data with 10-meter accuracy within seconds.

This feature is suitable for applications that require emergency tracking, such as recycling bins, elderly tracking devices, and vacuum cleaners.

The uCPU feature allows users to run their own software on this chip without the need for an external MCU.

In addition to this, uSCM (Smart Connection Manager) is designed for automatic connectivity management, enabling optimal performance or minimal power consumption when, for example, a connection is lost and reconnection is required.

The new u-blox R52 series also includes new combo modules designed to provide simultaneous GNSS and cellular connectivity, a key feature in meeting the needs of applications requiring continuous or periodic tracking.

The u-blox SARA-R520M10 combo module integrates the u-blox M10 GNSS receiver, ensuring simultaneous tracking with low power consumption, excellent time to first fix (TTFF), and enhanced RF sensitivity.

This module is ideal for users looking for a simple solution that integrates cellular and GNSS.

While many LTE-M module products offer RF output power of 20 to 21 dBm, the new R52 series provides 23 dBm, ensuring stable connectivity even under challenging coverage conditions.

The LEXI-R52 offers the same features as the SARA-R52 but has a smaller form factor (16 x 16 x 2 mm), making it ideal for ultra-small applications such as wearables.

Samples of these products are currently available through u-blox Korea and distributors, and mass production is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2024.