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Dual-mode wireless SoC supports both Sigfox and IEEE802.15.4k

Dual-mode wireless SoC supports both Sigfox and IEEE802.15.4k

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By eeNews Europe



ML7404 is, Lapsi says, the first wireless chip to feature LPWA dual-mode functionality, supporting both the Sigfox standard (subscription-based LPWA using unlicensed sub-GHz), which has been adopted in more than 30 countries and expanding in metropolitan areas including Japan; and the international protocol IEEE802.15.4K that is extremely robust against interference from the same system and has the capacity to cover more terminals under one network.

 

Communication modules containing this device will be released from partner companies to simplify the development of LPWA-compatible devices that contribute increased IoT adoption. In addition, the protocol stack for IEEE802.15.4k will be provided as open-source from partner stack vendors.

 

LPWA using the sub-GHz band (which is not subject to RF licensing) is attracting attention, Lapis notes, for IoT applications. However, because the specific communication protocol varies from one country/region to the next, as of yet no method has been standardized from among the diverse array of IoT networks currently in use.

 

 

LAPIS semiconductor has previously released wireless communication LSIs for sub-GHz specified low power radio base stations: this LPWA device supports multiple methods, facilitating the early launch of IoT networks and the effective spread of applications and services.

 

Lapis/Rohm; www.rohm.com/eu

 

 

Next page; feature summary…


Key Features

1. Supports dual LPWA modes (Sigfox and IEEE802.15.4k)

The ML7404 is a dual-mode LPWA wireless communication LSI compatible with both IEEE802.15.4k and the Sigfox standard utilized predominately in Europe.

a) Compatible with the Sigfox LPWA wireless communication system currently being employed in more than 30 countries around the world.

b) Supports IEE802.15.4k, the IEEE standard characterized by DSSS based on orthogonal spreading codes and features high interference tolerance from the same system compared with other spread spectrum communication methods. Plus it can accommodate more terminals under the same network. This protocol utilizes the high reliability sub-GHz band that does not require a license.

 

Parameter

ML7404

LoRa

 

Sigfox employed in 32 countries
(as of Feb, 2017)

Sigfox

IEEE802.15.4k

 

Frequency Band

Sub-GHz (Unlicensed Band)

 

Europe: 18 (France, Germany, UK, etc)

Service Scheme

Public

Private

Private/Public

 

North/South Americas: 5 (USA, Mexico, Brazil, etc)

Communication Method

Upload

Upload/Download

Upload/Download

 

Asia/Oceania: 8 (Japan, Taiwan, Australia, etc)

Features

Employed or studied

in more than 30 countries

Robust again interference

from the same system

Over 400 appliance

members

 

Africa: 1 (South Africa)

 

 

2. The industry’s first hardware-based BPSK modulation circuit for Sigfox contributes to lower set power consumption

Sigfox uses the BPSK modulation method which is not employed by conventional sub-GHz communication. However, because standard Sigfox compliant LSIs do not support BPSK modulation, it is necessary to create BPSK symbol data utilizing control MCU software. Unfortunately, this requires that the control MCU be activated each time wireless communication is performed, resulting in unnecessary set power consumption. In contrast, the ML7404 integrates a BPSK modulation circuit that eliminates the need for the control MCU to operate (in the physical layer) during wireless communication, reducing system power consumption.

 

 

3. Development support

An optional evaluation kit bundles sample programs (simple MAC) and various test scenarios, with reference module designs currently being prepared. In addition, full support is offered, including manuals and tools that can be downloaded from LAPIS’ website (registration required). And in the future, communication modules integrating the ML7404 along with low power protocol stacks for IEEE802.15.4k will be released from partner companies.

 

 

Parameter

ML7404

Sigfox

IEEE802.15.4k

Sub-GHz

Frequency Band

750MHz960MHz

315MH~960MHz

Base Modulation Method

BPSK

4GFSK/4GMSK,
GFSK/GMSK,
FSK/MSK

Long Distance Method

UNB

DSSS

Data Rate

100bps

0.625k25kbps

0.1k200kbps

Tx Power

Max +17dBm

Rx Sensitivity

-121 dBm
@ 200kbps, 400kHz

-120 dBm
@ 2.4kbps, 433Mhz

-109 dBm
@ 38.4kbs, 920MHz

Coding Method

NRZ, Manchester, 3 out of 6

Other

Wakeup, address filter, antenna diversity

Supply Voltage

1.8V3.6V (1mW)

Transmission Current

34mA @ 20mW

34mA @ 20mW

34mA @ 20mW

Reception Current

13.6mA

13.6mA

Transmission Distance

10Km

1Km

Sleep Current (Timer-ON

1.2μA

Package

32pin WQFN

 

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