Fibocom launched the FG132-NA RedCap module series for 5G IoT connectivity during this week’s Computex in Taipei.

Compliant with 3GPP release 17, the module adopts the key features from 5G in both network reliability and spectrum use, while improving the performance in energy efficiency and expanding the diversity of IoT scenarios.

5G has achieved remarkable milestones in the past few years by accelerating the digital transformation of manufacturing, private networks, online education and more use cases with its fast speed, low latency and high reliability. As technology evolves, 5G RedCap aims to connect the dots in IoT under the 5G landscape for the scenarios that require low latency and high reliability, but less bandwidth and long battery life.

Therefore RedCap is tailor-made for smart grids, live streaming, industrial automation and smart wearables with its transmission speed and power efficiency.

The modules comply with 3GPP release 17, supporting 5G SA, and are backwards compatible with LTE Cat 4 networks. In terms of hardware architecture, the module is adopting 1T2R antenna design along with LCC+LGA and M.2 form factors to satisfy expectations in diverse use cases.

The size of LCC+LGA form factor is 29 by 32mm, which is pin-compatible with Fibocom LTE Cat 4 modules for users to upgrade to 5G smoothly. The plug-and-play M.2 form factor suits tablets and industrial gateways with a size of 30 by 42mm.

By leveraging 5G advancements, the module supports up to 220Mbit/s downlink and 100Mbit/s uplink, as well as 5G slicing and 5G LAN, assuring the speed performance and network reliability in the daily operation of manufacturing, IPC and smart grids.

It also supports Open CPU with OpenWRT software, which lets users develop FWA applications such as CPE, mobile hotspot and DTU flexibly.

“5G RedCap is crucial to the mid-tier 5G deployments as it adapts multiple capabilities from tradition 5G while making lower power consumption and cost-ratio achievable,” said Jason Zhu, general manager at Fibocom. “We are thrilled to launch the FG132-NA series RedCap module at Computex, providing the ideal wireless solution for customers to expand the 5G ecosystem and driving the IoT applications towards ultra-reliable 5G connectivity at affordable price. With the rising migration from 4G to 5G, we are looking forward to unleashing the full potential of 5G in the global IoT markets with Fibocom RedCap modules.”

Mass production of the module will start next year.