Sequans Communications announced it's on track to introduce the first LTE Category M1/NB1 chip for commercial deployments in Q4 and will demonstrate the product at CTIA’s Super Mobility Week in Las Vegas. Named Monarch, Sequans’ chip will be shown in live communication with an LTE eNodeB (base station) emulator, the Amari OTS 100 from Amarisoft.
The LTE Cat M1/NB1 standard was set earlier this year by 3GPP and is designed specifically for narrowband IoT applications, including sensors, wearables, and other low data, low power M2M and IoT devices. Monarch complies with the ultra-low-power and reduced complexity feature requirements of the release 13 LTE Advanced Pro standard.
Sequans has integrated the baseband, RF transceiver, power management, and RAM memory into a single 6.5x8.5 mm package. In addition, Monarch supports advanced features such as programmable RF filtering for global band support in a single SKU, and proprietary dynamic power management technology for operating life of 10+ years.
Sequans said it's working closely with major operators, eNodeB vendors and technology partners to address deployment plans for Cat M1 and NB1 networks, beginning first in the US. AT&T and Verizon both recently said they are planning Cat M1 deployments this year. Sequans said Monarch has already been selected by several OEMs and ODMs developing modules and devices for IoT applications such as health and fitness wearables, smart energy meters and asset trackers, industrial monitors and sensors.
