High-speed automotive LTE module is world's smallest

Operating over a temperature range from -40 to +85°C, the UMDZ series provides maximum transmission speeds (up/downstream) of 150/50Mbps. The LTE module features a variety of external interfaces, including USB 2.0,  I2C, GPIO, SDIO, UART, audio (analogue) and USIM.

High-speed data communications which connect vehicles to the outside environment is currently attracting a great deal of attention. Applications of the technology are gradually increasing to include access to tourist information and online cloud services via the internet, utilisation of big data and eCall systems. However, the devices implementing LTE technology must undergo interoperability testing and certification to provide assurance of a stable connection with base stations. Since they are being used for automotive applications, the LTE modules need to provide high reliability in tougher vibration and temperature environments than modules for consumer devices.

ALPS will use evaluation, simulation and other elemental technologies, as well as the EMC Evaluation Center at ALPS Electric’s Furukawa Plant, to perform the testing and evaluation. Since the performance can be optimised and certification acquired at the module level, this will help to reduce the development and evaluation workload of automotive equipment manufacturers.

The UMDZ series will be introduced in 2015.