NB-IoT module certified for use in hazardous environments

Samuele Falcomer, Product Manager, Product Centre Cellular at u-blox, said: "At u-blox, we've been closely involved in the development of NB-IoT since its inception. In 2016, we sent the first pre-standard message over a NB-IoT network and then went on to launch the world's first NB-IoT module.

"Now, our u-blox SARA-N2 NB-IoT module series is in production, including the world's first ATEX-certified NB-IoT module. These successes speak to our firm commitment to driving innovation in this sphere and growing the IoT ecosystem." 

NB-IoT is establishing itself as the technology of choice for many industrial IoT applications including metering and sensor applications. This is driven in part by the technology's low power requirements, which let end devices run for years - sometimes more than a decade - on a single battery, minimising the need for maintenance.

Additionally, excellent indoor and underground signal penetration and wide-reaching coverage enable IoT applications in otherwise challenging locations such as in cellars, deep underground, or in remote areas.

According to u-blox, the SARA-N211 product variant, which targets the European market with support of Bands 8 and 20, is the first NB-IoT module to receive ATEX-certification for use in hazardous and potentially explosive environments often encountered in the oil and gas industries, in chemical plants and in mining applications, further extending the reach of NB-IoT.

ATEX pre-certification saves end-device makers time and resources by assuring compliance, while simultaneously speeding up testing and simplifying end device certification. Importantly, it minimises the risk of last-minute changes to the module to meet ATEX demands.