Obtained GCF, FCC, and CE certifications
Adoption of Arm Cortex M-33 CPU
1MB flash, 256kB RAM memory

Nordic Semiconductor today announced that the nRF9160 System-in-Package (SiP), the first member of its nRF91 Series of cellular IoT modules, is now available through major global distributors including Digi-Key Electronics, Mouser Electronics, and Premier Panel.
The nRF9160 has received GCF certification, the mobile communications industry's quality mark for compliance with 3GPP LTE specifications and global cellular network interoperability, as well as separate FCC and CE regulatory certifications. This ensures the nRF9160's applicability in cellular networks and cellular IoT product applications worldwide.

The official availability of the nRF9160 is expected to make cellular IoT wireless technology readily available in all applications. Key application areas include asset monitoring and tracking, utility metering, industrial connectivity, predictive maintenance, smart cities and infrastructure, smart agriculture, and healthcare.

Measuring 10 x 16 x 1mm, the nRF9160 is suitable for compact wearable consumer and medical devices, while also enabling integration of IoT applications with cellular connectivity, requiring only an external battery, SIM, and antenna.

To achieve this ultra-high integration, Nordic collaborated with Qorvo to develop a System-in-Package (SiP) that more closely resembles an integrated chip than a module. The nRF9160 leverages Qorvo's RF front-end, advanced packaging, and MicroShield technology to deliver an ultra-compact solution that combines high performance with low power consumption.

The nRF9160 integrates Nordic's multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem and SAW-less transceiver with Qorvo's custom RF front-end solution, enabling global operation with a single SiP product.

At the same time, the nRF9160 features Arm's latest Arm Cortex M-33 CPU core, with 1MB of flash and 256kB of RAM onboard. It also integrates Arm's latest Arm TrustZone and Arm CryptoCell security features, which provide Internet-level encryption and application protection. These technologies are designed to address energy-efficient embedded IoT products that demand high performance in processing, power consumption, and security.

Another feature that the nRF9160 brings to the cellular IoT module market is integrated GPS support. This feature integrates GPS and cellular data to provide more accurate location information than using separate technologies.

The nRF9160 SiP is currently supported by a full range of solutions, including a development kit, SiP module samples, LTE-M firmware, and an SDK with application examples for cloud connectivity. Nordic's cloud-based device management tool, nRF Connect for Cloud, and the PC-based tool, nRF Connect for Desktop, are also available, along with support for Segger Embedded Studio. All these solutions are designed to help customers quickly implement sensor-to-cloud IoT applications.

NB-IoT and GPS functionality are available in limited quantities, but will be available for evaluation via a firmware update in Q1 2019.

“Nordic Semiconductor is expanding the application range of Bluetooth by removing all unnecessary technical complexity from the designer,” says Peder Rand, Product Manager for Cellular IoT at Nordic Semiconductor. “The pre-certified, ready-to-use LTE-M/NB-IoT nRF9160 SiP module makes cellular IoT the same for any application.”

“Security is paramount in IoT applications, and the nRF9160 provides Arm TrustZone to separate trusted and untrusted execution zones,” says John Leonard, technical marketing manager at Nordic Semiconductor. “This allows critical information such as cryptographic elements and key storage to be placed in a trust zone that is not directly accessible from the outside, while also providing the security features of Arm CryptoCell.”

“Our strategic partnership with Nordic Semiconductor has enabled us to successfully bring a new class of cellular IoT solutions to market,” said Eric Creviston, President of Mobile Products at Qorvo. “We are delighted that Qorvo’s RF and advanced packaging technologies will play a key role in this innovative product for the emerging low-power cellular IoT market.”