NimbeLink is expanding its award-winning Skywire family of cellular modems with the addition of a 4G LTE CAT 1 embedded modem. This new product is comparable in price and speed to 15 year-old 2G technology, but is specifically designed to bring 4G LTE capabilities to the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M) applications.
Skywire Cellular Modem based on the Gemalto module, LTE CAT 1, Verizon, Firmware 4.3.2.0 26357+
$99
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NL-SW-LTE-GELS3-D
Skywire Cellular Modem based on the Gemalto module, LTE CAT 1, Verzion, Firmware 4.3.3.0 36343
$99
∗
NL-SW-LTE-GELS3-E
Skywire Cellular Modem based on the Gemalto module, LTE CAT 1, Verzion, Firmware 4.3.3.0f-40869
$99
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∗ Standard lead time is 1 week
This is particularly important because 2G technology is aging. AT&T has already announced that 2G service will be discontinued in 2017, and while Verizon will continue to offer 2G service for several more years, that company is also planning to discontinue it. The solution for IoT and M2M product developers is to start incorporating 4G LTE Cat1 modems into their cellular-enabled products now. Based on the Gemalto Cat 1 LTE chipset, the Skywire 4G LTE Cat 1 embedded modem is the first Cat 1 LTE modem with FCC and carrier-required end-device-certification. All devices accessing the cellular network require this certification, which can take months to obtain and cost tens of thousands of dollars. Pre-certification eliminates the cost and delay and helps speed products to market. Like other modems in the NimbeLink's Skywire family, the new Cat 1 LTE modem is the smallest in the industry and is compatible with a variety of NimbeLink development kits, adapters, and microprocessor capes, allowing fast, easy integration of cellular connectivity into new and existing products. It also shares the Digi's Xbee® Standard interface with all other modems in the Skywire family, ensuring long product life. Its U.FL port provides antenna flexibility, and the modem requires just voltage and a UART or USB connection and supports a wide range of voltages for design flexibility.
