Nordic Unveils nRF9151: Low Power Cellular IoT & DECT NR+ SiP

As the demand for increasingly miniaturized, battery operated connected devices continues to surge, Nordic Semiconductor has announced its latest innovation: the nRF9151 System in Package (SiP). Compared to its predecessor, the popular nRF9161, Nordic has managed to achieve a significant 20% reduction in footprint.

Designed to set a new standard in the cellular IoT space, the nRF9151 provides a highly integrated, single device solution for developers looking to leverage low power LTE technology alongside advanced mesh networking capabilities. By combining LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS and DECT NR+ into a single package, Nordic aims to deliver unparalleled versatility for next-generation wireless applications.

Despite this smaller size, the SiP does not compromise on processing capability or security. It is built around a dedicated, programmable 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 application processor and features robust hardware level security, making it an ideal core for space constrained, globally deployed IoT products.

Key Features

• Processing Power: A 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 processor dedicated strictly to application logic.
• Memory: 1 MB of Flash and 256 KB of RAM.
• Comprehensive Connectivity: Multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem (supporting 3GPP release 14), integrated GNSS for precise location tracking, and DECT NR+ support.
• Broad Frequency Support: Covers 700 to 2200 MHz LTE bands and the 1.9GHz NR+ band.
• Advanced Security: Enterprise grade protection utilizing Arm TrustZone and Arm CryptoCell 310.

Key benefits

• Enhanced Power Flexibility for Battery Devices: A major upgrade in the nRF9151 is the introduction of support for Power Class 5 (20 dBm) output power. This complements the existing Power Class 3 (23 dBm) capability. By offering this flexibility, Nordic significantly eases the design requirements for battery powered products, allowing engineers to optimize for either maximum range or maximum battery life depending on the application.

• True Global Connectivity: The SiP features an integrated modem certified for global operation, removing regional hardware limitations.

• Unleashing DECT NR+ Mesh Networks: Beyond standard cellular connections, the nRF9151 harnesses the full potential of the DECT NR+ stack. This allows devices to form massive, highly scalable mesh networks that prioritize secure, ultra reliable, and long range communication without relying solely on cellular base stations.

Applications

• Asset Tracking & Logistics: Leveraging low power cellular and GNSS for global visibility.
• Smart Infrastructure: Powering Smart City initiatives and Smart Metering rollouts.
• Industry 4.0 & Agriculture: Enabling predictive maintenance sensors in factories and long range sensors in smart agriculture environments.
• Healthcare: Ideal for the stringent size and power constraints of portable, connected medical devices.

Reference

• Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 SiP Datasheet.
• Visit Nordicsemi website for other wireless solutions.