Nordic Semiconductor expands IoT series with nRF9151 device

Nordic Semiconductor, recognised for its proficiency in delivering low-power wireless connectivity solutions, has announced an enlargement of its nRF91 Series cellular IoT devices. Joining this expanding series is the nRF9151 System-in-Package (SiP), a product designed to elevate Nordic's consolidated cellular IoT solution—spanning across hardware, software, tools, and its nRF Cloud Services—by delivering improved capabilities and promoting smooth integration.

The nRF9151 brings to the market a compact, pre-certified, and highly integrated device that houses a System-on-Chip (SoC), power management, and RF front-end, all fashioned by Nordic Semiconductor. Compared to previous constituents of the nRF91 Series, the nRF9151 is engineered for increased supply chain resilience and bears a substantial footprint reduction of 20%. It facilitates more compact products without performance compromises, a distinct advantage in applications such as wearable devices, smart sensors, and other IoT applications where space conservation is paramount.

The nRF9151 caters to more diverse design needs by featuring Class 5 20dBm output power support, mirroring the nominal Class 3 23dBm. This is an added advantage for developers, as it diminishes the requirements for battery-powered products. "Our decision to develop the nRF9151 stems from a deep understanding of market demands and the need for solutions that seamlessly address the challenges faced by our customers," says Kjetil Holstad, EVP of Strategy and Product Management. He added, "With the nRF9151, we aim to fill a crucial gap in the market, streamlining the development process, and reducing both power consumption and footprint."

One of the key features of the nRF9151 is its compatibility with the nRF9161 and nRF9131. It utilises the same modem firmware and support in Nordic's unified and scalable software solution, the nRF Connect SDK, enabling customers interested in the nRF9151 to initiate their development journey using the nRF9161 DK, with a seamless transition to the nRF9151.

Nordic Semiconductor's end-to-end cellular IoT solution further consolidates with the augmentation of the nRF9151. The conventional design approach for cellular IoT included components from diverse suppliers, resulting in potential challenges in cost, performance, and power efficiency for developers. Nordic Semiconductor, however, provides an integrated solution encompassing hardware, software, tools, cloud services, and consistent support, thereby streamlining the design and implementation process and reducing the time-to-market.

Cellular IoT, with its global reach, durability, low power consumption, and advanced security features, is fast becoming the backbone of various applications, including asset tracking, smart metering, smart city, and smart agriculture. Nordic Semiconductor's complete cellular IoT solution is designed to aid businesses in bringing their applications to market efficiently and swiftly.