Sequans Communications announced that SoftBank Corp., a subsidiary of SoftBank Group Corp. and a telecommunications operator in Japan, has validated Sequans’ Monarch chip for NB-IoT operation on its network.
Validation on the SoftBank network proves Monarch’s reliability and technological excellence as an NB-IoT chip solution. Sequans’ Monarch is an optimized LTE-M/NB-IoT chip platform that provides full support for power saving mode (PSM) and extended discontinuous reception (eDRX) to enable the long battery life needed by many IoT use cases, and it provides the enhanced coverage modes that extend coverage for deep-indoor and remote deployments.
Monarch comprises baseband, RF, power management, and RAM in a single package. Monarch also supports advanced features such as programmable RF filtering for global band support in a single-SKU, and proprietary dynamic power management technology, enabling rock bottom low power consumption of 1 micro amp.
Monarch is a single-chip LTE Cat M1/NB1 solution designed specifically for narrowband IoT applications, including sensors, wearables, and other low data, low power M2M and IoT devices. Monarch complies with the ultra-low-power and reduced complexity feature requirements of the 3GPP release 13 LTE Advanced Pro standard, defining narrowband, low data rate LTE technology for machine-type-communications (MTC).
Monarch achieves a very high level of integration whereby baseband, RF transceiver, power management, and RAM memory are integrated into a tiny 6.5 x 8.5 mm package, running Sequans carrier-proven LTE protocol stack, an OMA lightweight M2M (LWM2M) client for over-the-air device management, and a rich set of AT commands.
Support for programmable RF filtering allows a simple, reduced bill-of-materials hardware design that enables single SKU devices supporting global LTE bands.
Monarch is ideal for adding Cat M1 and/or NB1 LTE connectivity to narrowband, low data rate M2M and IoT devices, including utility meters, industrial sensors, health and fitness bands, asset trackers, and numerous additional devices for smart home, smart city, and wearable applications.
“Sequans Monarch is one of the most mature solutions in the industry,” said Hironobu Tamba, vice president, head of Smart IoT Division, SoftBank Corp. “The validation of Monarch for NB-IoT operation is an achievement is of key importance, especially for customers who want to deploy battery-powered IoT devices, such as meters and sensors, cost-effectively.”
“New NB-IoT devices based on Monarch can now launch quickly with this official stamp of approval from SoftBank,” said Georges Karam, Sequans CEO. “Our customers are getting ready to launch a wide range of very interesting IoT devices, including a children’s tracker and a smart city security device, and we look forward to seeing them come to life very soon.”
The validation of Monarch for NB-IoT operation follows validation for LTE-M operation received from SoftBank last year.
