Qualcomm has announced two modem chipsets with satellite IoT capability.

The 212S and 9205S modem chipsets power off-grid industrial use cases that require standalone non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity or hybrid connectivity alongside terrestrial networks. They can help IoT enterprises, developers, ODMs and OEMs harness real-time information and insights to manage business projects.

Qualcomm is engaged with Skylo, an NTN service provider, to help enable and operate this connectivity medium.

“Earlier this year Qualcomm announced the Qualcomm Aware platform, a revolution that allows companies to better monitor and track valuable assets virtually anytime and anywhere around the world,” said Jeff Torrance, senior vice president at Qualcomm. “Our 212S and 9205S chips take our IoT tracking and monitoring capabilities one step further, providing connectivity and coverage even in the most remote areas. These products also further showcase our ability to bring and scale superior innovations to even the most challenging and complex IoT environments.”

Parthsarathi Trivedi, CEO of Skylo, added: “We’re proud to collaborate with Qualcomm to provide satellite connectivity on these ground-breaking new IoT modems to help off-grid devices have coverage in challenging cellular environments. As a leading NTN service provider, we’ll help to deliver satellite connectivity through the Qualcomm Aware platform using our network of satellite operators to power a range of IoT use cases with optimised integrations through the 212S and 9205S modems for stationary and in-transit uses.”

The 212S modem lets stationary IoT devices use satellite communication for better off-grid connectivity. It is designed with low power consumption for applications in remote, fixed locations, helping promote an extended usable life.

Applications include gathering telemetry and data from water and gas tanks, meters, and other infrastructure equipment. It is also well-suited to utility grid monitoring, early fire detection reporting, on-shore and off-shore mining installations, and environmental management.

The 212S is Qualcomm’s first IoT-NTN-only modem that supports the 3GPP Release 17 standards for satellite communications. It is designed for cost efficiency and value, with only the essentials necessary for satellite communications and nothing more. It is also compatible with the firm’s recently announced QCM4490 processor to deliver low power satellite connectivity to industrial handheld devices. This integration powers time-critical, two-way messaging capabilities and one-way payload delivery between devices and user end points or the Qualcomm Aware cloud, all while helping promote extended usable device time.

The 9205S modem helps IoT devices connect to cellular and satellite networks for virtually gap-free coverage, and integrates GNSS to provide location data.

It is suitable for industrial applications that require always-on, hybrid terrestrial and satellite connectivity for goods and assets on the move. Applications include transoceanic shipping container tracking, agricultural equipment and livestock tracking, and global fleet and freight tracking for supply chain management including for logistics partners that perform remote deliveries.

The 9205S uses virtually the same architecture as the 9205 modem, making it easy to upgrade equipment designs to include satellite connectivity and enable hybrid connectivity. The 9205S helps enable hub-type use cases through an applications processor and peripheral support for various IoT applications.

Like the 212S, the 9205S adheres to 3GPP Release 17 for satellite communications, making it easy to establish IoT-NTN connectivity using GEO and GSO satellites and eliminates the need for orientation-specific device positioning. 

Both the 212S and the 9205S integrate with the Qualcomm Aware platform for NTN connectivity services and device management in remote areas or to manage business projects that rely on accurate, real-time data for critical decision-making.

The 212S will be available later this year and the 9205S is available now.