A next-generation smart metering solution based on Nordic Semiconductor's nRF9151 module is being used in Africa, and the energy-efficient nRF9151 module is expected to revolutionize smart metering solutions in Africa, where power instability is high.

Nordic announced on the 15th that its nRF9151 module has been adopted for smart metering solutions.

The module provides a solution that maximizes battery life, energy efficiency, and communication stability based on DECT NR+ and cellular IoT technologies.

South African design and manufacturing specialist SET (Sustainable Energy Technologies) has developed a smart metering solution combining Nordic's nRF9151 module with Wirepas' NR+ firmware.

The solution will be initially rolled out in South Africa and Kenya.

Overcoming the limitations of power line communication (PLC) and cellular methods In Africa, existing PLC and cellular solutions are dominating the smart metering market.

On the other hand, the PLC method has low communication stability due to frequent power outages and the introduction of renewable energy, and the cellThe ruler method is criticized for its difficulty in managing SIM cards and service instability.

Accordingly, SET has implemented more reliable smart metering by introducing a wireless network utilizing NR+ technology.

Smart meters with NR+ technology operate by collecting data through a gateway and transmitting it to the cloud via a cellular network.

In urban environments, each smart meter can connect to more than 50 neighboring meters, enabling data sharing among more than 1,000 meters with a single cellular subscription.

nRF9151 Module, Optimized for Smart Metering Nordic's nRF9151 module is a low-power module optimized for DECT NR+ and cellular IoT applications, offering strong signal output and excellent receive sensitivity.

It also features 1MB of non-volatile memory (NVM) and 256KB of RAM to support complex metering applications.

Joseph Wamicha, CEO of SET, highlighted the advantages of NR+-based smart metering, saying, “Data can be transmitted on a minute-by-minute basis without increasing cellular subscription costs, and self-healing capabilities between smart meters ensure reliability.”

SET said that Nordic's collaboration with Wirepath reduced development costs and accelerated time to market through Nordic's technical support, reference designs, rapid engineer response, and stable supply chain.

Nordic's nRF Connect SDK is expected to further streamline the development process and accelerate the adoption of smart metering.

Through this collaboration, Nordic Semiconductor will support Africa's smart energy transition and accelerate the adoption of low-power, high-efficiency smart metering solutions.