Microcontrollers and wireless modules combine to add connectivity and theft-prevention features to IoT devices for automotive, industrial, medical, and smart-home use. Many original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) integrate theft-prevention tracking capabilities into their IoT devices. This article reviews key trade-offs and considerations for selecting wireless tracking technologies and highlights the crucial role microcontroller units (MCUs) play…
How Amazon Sidewalk differs from Wi-Fi, cellular, and LoRaWAN networks
Amazon Sidewalk uses 900 MHz to send low-bitrate messages to IoT devices. It has a more extended range than Wi-Fi and requires no base stations. Amazon Sidewalk is a free community network that provides secure, reliable connectivity for smart IoT devices. This low-bandwidth, low-power network leverages sub-GHz frequencies to transmit small data packets over distances…
Where are LPWAN protocols used?
LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and LP-WAN are wireless protocols used by IoT and IIoT devices. Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) is a wireless technology specifically developed for Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. As Figure 1 illustrates, LPWAN enables a diverse range of applications. This article reviews the key advantages and limitations of LPWAN,…
What to expect from 5G-Advanced
First deployed in 2019 for mobile broadband communications, 5G is now ready for 5G-Advanced, which, for the first time, adds features focused on enterprise use cases starting with 3GPP Release 18. First outlined in 3GPP Release 18, 5G-Advanced (5.5G) (Figure 1) significantly improves network efficiency, latency, throughput, and coverage. 5G-Advanced adds evolved multiple input multiple…
Wi-Fi 7 and private 5G networks: co-existence or competition?
Integrating Wi-Fi 7 with private 5G in CPE devices can help ensure reliable, gigabit-level speeds, robust security, and centralized management across diverse deployment scenarios. Delivering high speeds and low latency, private 5G and Wi-Fi 7 (IEEE 802.11be) networks offer efficient spectrum use and robust security for a wide range of demanding applications. What are the…
Can dielectric waveguide antennas boost 5G efficiency?
5G base stations rely on phased arrays to steer signals and increase data rates. Beam steering circuits, however, consume power. Using waveguides could reduce energy consumption in base stations. Waveguides are physical structures that direct electromagnetic waves from one point to another, confining energy within specific boundaries to control propagation, direction, and mode. While waveguide…
What are 5G’s, the different types, and how are they used?
5G is much more than cell phones. IoT devices, medical devices, and industrial devices can connect to networks using technologies such as TDD, network slicing, and beamforming. 5G New Radio (NR) made its long-awaited commercial debut in late 2018. Offering significantly faster speeds and greater capacity compared to 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G NR…
How to select an IoT device antenna
When designing wireless connectivity into IoT devices, you have several options for antennas. You can design one right into a PCB, but several commercial options take the work out of designing your own.
How do you test an Open RAN installation?
Open RAN telecom networks need testing for each disaggregated component, but that’s not enough. End-to-end testing is also necessary. In How do Open RAN interfaces work?, we covered how Open RAN redefines traditional RAN architecture by disaggregating it into three primary components: the radio unit (RU), distributed unit (DU), and centralized unit (CU). This paradigm…
What is a private 5G network? How does it work?
Private networks have the potential to change many industries and become the primary application for 5G. Processes and protocols make them work.