Nordic teams for IoT software SIM
Nordic Semiconductor has signed a key deal for a software-only SIM that simplifies the roll out of millions of devices on the Internet of Things (IoT).
The collaboration will use Onomondo’s SoftSIM to reduce SIM and BoM costs, simplifies design and lowers power consumption for cellular IoT end-products based on Nordic’s nRF91 Series
Because cellular IoT leverages mature and widespread cellular infrastructure, network access requires each end-device to carry a unique Subscriber Identification Module (SIM). Traditional SIMs are physical devices that need to be plugged-in to cellular products, and later developments such as non-physical eSIMs still demand additional supporting hardware.
The SoftSIM developed by Onomondo in Copenhagen, Denmark, is a totally software IoT SIM alternative that is platform agnostic. The SIM is downloaded from the cloud and then executed as software by the nRF9160 SiP’s embedded ARM Cortex-M33 application processor. The SoftSIM is using functionality implemented using ARM TrustZone security environment to secure the chip.
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The collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor means that users can employ the nRF9160 and SoftSIM to eliminate the friction that physical SIMs and even eSIMs stored in specific memory chips in the IoT device require.
This eliminates not only the need for the manufacture and shipping of physical SIM cards but also their associated overheads. In addition, SoftSIM eliminates the need for a physical SIM socket on the end-device design, reducing the bill-of-materials (BoM) and component costs, simplifying design, and decreasing the size of the end product.
Using the SoftSIM also reduces the idle mode power consumption almost completely as the SIM runs in software. Generally that means average savings of approximately 40µA compared to using a physical SIM or eSIM. Lower power consumption enables extended battery life or the use of smaller cells.
“Nordic’s nRF9160 is the most power optimized and highly integrated cellular IoT SiP on the market, but we continuously seek to enhance battery life further,” said Kristian Sæther, Product Director – Cellular IoT, Nordic Semiconductor.
“Now Onomondo’s innovative SoftSIM brings new benefits for users by consuming far less power than a traditional SIMs, while also reducing SIM overhead costs. That makes the collaboration between the two companies perfect for customers seeking cellular IoT deployments with better power efficiency, global coverage, and flexibility.”
www.nordicsemi.com; www.onomondo.com
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