ATEX certified GSM/GPRS module selected for gas metering

Pietro Cerami, Marketing Director, Pietro Fiorentini, commented: "We needed a high quality and reliable smart technology for critical gas telemetry in residential and industrial areas. SARA-G350, the ATEX certified cellular module from u-blox was therefore the right choice. This is another step towards better, more efficient, stable and safer gas distribution networks and management."

The SARA-G3 series of GSM/GPRS modules features extremely low power consumption and a miniature LGA form factor. SARA-G350 is the quad-band version for global connectivity, while the ATEX certified variant is the ideal solution for the development of smart devices deployed in potentially explosive environments. u blox also complies with ATEX regulations by manufacturing in ISO/TS 16949 certified production sites.

"It was very exciting to collaborate with a market leader such as Pietro Fiorentini in developing a product that would guarantee secure and high quality wireless communication in smart gas metering applications. Professional grade SARA-G350 ATEX follows the u-blox ‘nested design’ philosophy: to maintain form factor and software portability. This enables customers to easily upgrade their products with each new generation of u-blox wireless modules, without having to change the PCB designs. The easy migration between u-blox products contributes to a maximised investment, simplified logistics and drastically reduced time-to-market," explained Stefano Moioli, Product Management Director, Cellular, u-blox.

Pietro Fiorentini and u-blox plan further collaboration with the advent of new mobile technologies, such as NarrowBand IoT (NB-IoT).