Combining advantages of existing cellular modules with high integration, convenience, and smallest form factor

Nordic Semiconductor has unveiled the nRF91 series, a low-power cellular IoT (Internet of Things) solution scheduled for official launch in the future. Additionally, Nordic demonstrated the nRF91 solution operating on the wireless network of US carrier Verizon and Norwegian carrier Telia during an event held in Oslo, Norway.

This solution is advancing innovation by applying cellular connectivity across various fields beyond mobile devices and enabling cellular connectivity with everything we can imagine. In the same manner that Nordic Semiconductor's nRF5 series enables innovation and allows Bluetooth wireless technology to be adopted in new markets, the nRF91 series has been designed as a solution that facilitates cellular connectivity with ease.

The nRF91 series is a highly integrated, low-power, global multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT SiP (System-in-Package). This SiP integrates a complete low-power cellular IoT system featuring a modem, transceiver, RF front-end, dedicated application processor, flash memory, power management, crystal, and passive components within a compact 10x16x1.2mm package.

The highly integrated nRF91 SiP offers all the advantages of existing cellular modules including regulatory compliance and cellular certification, as well as ease of use, unprecedented integration density, and the smallest form factor ever seen in the cellular industry.

Nordic has collaborated with strategic partner Qorvo on RF front-end and SiP development and manufacturing. The nRF91 SiP leverages Qorvo's proven cutting-edge RF front-end and advanced packaging and MicroShield technology to deliver a unique ultra-compact solution combining high performance and low power consumption. The nRF91 series combines Nordic's multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem and SAW-less transceiver with Qorvo's custom RF front-end solution to support global operation modes in a single SiP product.

Arm Cortex-M33 host processor and Arm TrustZone security technology, integrated A-GPS

The nRF91 combines cellular connectivity-specific security features with cutting-edge security solutions for application hardware and software, elevating the security performance of low-power IoT devices to a new dimension. By integrating the Arm Cortex-M33 processor and Arm CryptoCell-310 security IP, it enables implementation of entire low-power cellular IoT applications in a single nRF91 SiP.

The embedded host processor is equipped with TrustZone for the Armv8-M architecture, and utilizes a trusted and secure execution environment across the CPU and entire system to protect application data, firmware, and peripherals. This solution provides an efficient security environment, reducing size, BoM (Bill-of-Materials), and power consumption compared to using an external host processor.

Furthermore, the nRF91 SiP features integrated A-GPS (Assisted GPS), combining cellular and GPS technology, providing integrated positioning support capabilities for fast and accurate positioning.

The nRF91 SiP is based on Nordic's nRF91 series low-power IoT SoC (System-on-Chip). Developed jointly by Nordic's experienced cellular design team in Finland and low-power experts in Norway, this chip has been completely redesigned to optimize power, cost, and size reduction, and supports the new LTE-M and NB-IoT cellular standards. By integrating a multimode cellular modem and transceiver, as well as an application processor, flash memory, RAM memory, and power management into a single chip, it provides unprecedented integrated functionality.

The nRF91 series includes easy-to-use development tools and a complete software suite to accelerate innovation and product development. It also receives support from world-class technical support teams and an active Nordic developer community. All these elements enable developers to concentrate on developing the superior products and services they desire using cellular technology.

Thomas Embla Bonnerud, Director of Strategy and IR (Investor Relations) at Nordic Semiconductor, stated: "When we began development of the nRF91 series in early 2015, we set our sights on creating a completely different dimension of solution for cellular IoT. It was about developing a highly integrated, low-power, ultra-compact, and easy-to-use solution that drives innovation and enables rapid deployment of cellular connectivity in new markets." He added, "We are confident that the forthcoming nRF91 series will represent this differentiated solution, and we are very pleased to be able to provide demonstrations and other offerings through today's preview."