RPMA is one of the many LPWAN IoT communication standards, but it does not get as much press coverage as SigFox or LoRa because it targets larger scale deployments, and is not really accessible to individuals. It’s still used by companies in many countries, and u-blox has just released SARA-S200 RPMA module that will also work with the Machine Network, also relying on RPMA and managed by Ingenu.
u-blox SARA-S200 module specifications:
- Connectivity
- Wireless Frequency – 2.4 GHz ISM
- Radio Spectrum – 80 MHz
- Occupied Bandwidth – 1 MHz
- Modulation – Dynamic – Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (D-DSSS)
- Multiple Access Scheme – Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA)
- Transmit Power – +22 dBm
- Receive Sensitivity – -133 dBm
- Data Throughput – 100 kB per day
- Link budget – 176 dB (FCC/IC)
- Host Interface – 7-wire SPI that includes handshaking for deep sleep modes
- Power Supply – 3.2 V to 3.4 V (typ. 3.3 V); VCC BAT: 2.2V to 5.5 V
- Power Consumption – Off: 0.1 μA (typ.); deep sleep mode: 19 μA (typ.); idle mode: 22 mA (typ.); RX: 107 mA (typ.); TX: 370 mA (typ.)
- Dimensions – 26.0x 16.0 x 2.4 mm
- Weight – 3 grams
- Package – 96-pin LGA (Land Grid Array)
- Operating temperature range – -40 to +85 °C
- Certifications – FCC, ISED (formerly known as IC), RED (formerly known as R&TTE), and additional countries as deployed (pending)
The module is an update to the first RPMA module (NANO-S100), with cost and size optimization (65% smaller) that makes it suitable for application in the Smart Meter, Smart Building, Gas & Oil, Asset/Personnel Tracking and Agricultural industries. The module supports FOTA (FW updated over the air) with the ability to also update the application firmware. A development kit for SARA-S200 is also available, but I could not find any public information about it.
Pricing and availability have not been disclosed. For more information, you may visit u-blox SARA-S200 product page, or go to nternet of Things World at the Santa Clara Convention Center, CA (May 1618 2017), where ublox and Ingenu will showcase the SARAS200 module.
Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.
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@Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft) Do you have any info how they achieve a 176dB link budget? High gain antennas? External PA? Taking the 22dBm output and the -133dB RX sensitivity into account, im still lacking a couple of dBs… Just like the neglectable amount of of 21dB 😉 after all in Europe you are allowed 10mW aka 10dbm (what a coincidence) EIRP per MHz of spectrum so the 22dBm might work under FCC only (as correctly mentioned next to the link budget). The only trick i could imagine is some additional processing gain, which is odd, as this is usually factured… Read more »
@itchy n scratchy
https://www.ingenu.com/2015/10/link-budget-more-than-how-much-you-spend-on-sausage/
@deets And what does this tell us? It sounds like the marketers guide to RF… This would be my favourite snippet: Link budget is the end result of combining receiver sensitivity, transmission power, antenna gain, legal restrictions in various regions, the natural propagation of the band chosen and *ways to enhance each*. –> unfortunately they wouldn’t mention the magic, most likely some FEC or SS but they give no hint. But then i stumbled over this highlight: It’s like RPMA has super sensitive ears that are able to hear even a panting snail trying to cross a busy sidewalk. Thanks… Read more »