Quectel Wireless is partnering Skylo, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) operator, to enable seamless satellite connections across all devices.

Quectel’s 5G-ready BG95x and BG77x series of LPWA modules modules will support satellite NTN, bringing seamless connectivity to devices, sensors, machines and more for an improved user experience.

Quectel NTN-ready modules running the Rel-17 NTN firmware will not require users to make any changes to the way they design their hardware. Any device, sensor or machine can be upgraded to support satellite connectivity. This means consumer and enterprise users worldwide will be able to connect via cellular or satellite without having to manually toggle between the two or require a separate device.

“Quectel is thrilled with this latest breakthrough in our technology, ushering in a new era of IoT and connectivity,” said, Neset Yalcinkaya, vice president at Quectel. “The fact that IoT devices can now access satellite connectivity using the same module as cellular means we can support use-cases and a level of coverage that simply wouldn’t have been possible in the past, from maritime and shipping, to outdoor wearables and automotive.”

Skylo’s network allows compatible cellular devices to switch seamlessly between cellular and satellite, resulting in ubiquitous coverage with no gaps in connectivity and no need for any special or extra antenna. Skylo operates its own 3GPP standards-based NTN RAN and core and is installed in existing ground stations that allow for large geographic coverage supported by geostationary satellite networks, enabling quick expansion into areas or regions and no need to wait for new constellations.

“We’re truly excited to partner with Quectel to bring NTN to the mass market, giving customers a better connectivity experience as well as accessibility for new applications,” said Tarun Gupta, CPO for Skylo. “This advancement is also an upgrade to existing modules that will allow for NTN capabilities using 3GPP standards-based firmware, making space-based connections no different than roaming between two networks.”

Quectel and Skylo were together at last week’s CES in Las Vegas to share how their respective technologies are coming together to offer ubiquitous connectivity to IoT devices. The companies will soon support early adopters to active NTN on their devices and products.

Also at CES, Quectel launched three combo antennas to help IoT designers and developers optimise device performance: YEMN016AA low profile five-in-one 5G and GNSS screw mount antenna; YEMN017AA five-in-one puck antenna that offers multiple mounting options; and YEMA013AA nine-in-one adhesive mount flat, rectangular combo antenna.

Each combo antenna has been designed to offer increased choice and performance for IoT deployments so users can ensure their devices can access the connectivity they need across a variety of wireless technologies.

“We’re delighted to launch the Quectel YEMN016AA, YEMN017AA and YEMA013AA to bring new functionality and performance to the combo antenna market,” said Colin Newman, director of antenna business development at Quectel. “To accelerate time-to-market and simplify product design, organisations need high-performance, easy, versatile mounting antenna boxes that provide maximised choice in terms of connectivity access and design flexibility. These new products offer this with the additional benefits of being backed by Quectel’s unparalleled support in design, customisation, testing and manufacturing.”

The YEMN016AA 5G screw mount low profile antenna box measures 204 by 86.6 by 31mm, making it suitable for space constrained situations in which a low-profile antenna is needed. The combo antenna has been optimised for 5G and 4G networks with four-by-four 5G and 4G MIMO and GNSS L1 and L5, offering cellular and satellite capabilities.

The ultra-wide-band 5G and 4G antenna provides brad coverage from 600 to 6000MHz and is backwards-compatible to support 3G and 2G networks at Cat-M and NB-IoT. The antenna is designed to work with various GND plane sizes or in free space for ease of integration with connection options from 300 to 5000mm, terminated with SMA connectors.

This screw mount omnidirectional antenna is easy to install with durability with its IP69 Kibilac ASA enclosure featuring IK09 impact protection. The antenna is compatible with Quectel’s RM520x modules. The firm also provides antenna design support such as simulation, testing and manufacturing for custom antennas to meet application needs.

The YEMN017AA can be widely used for wireless applications. The five-in-one combo antenna features functions including two LMH and two MH cellular antennas and one GNSS L1/L5 antenna, to provide performance, efficiency and flexibility. It can be screw, surface or pole mounted to provide deployment options. In common with the YEMN016AA, the YEMN017AA also offers an IP69 Kibilac ASA enclosure, again with IK09 impact protection, and is supported by antenna services.

Both the YEMN016AA and the YEMN017AA are being used for applications in intelligent transportation, such as autonomous driving, for smart security in cameras with motions sensors, in the industrial sector for heavy equipment telematics and for first responders.

The YEMA013AA is a 5G adhesive mount antenna for 5G and 4G networks. It offers eight-by-eight 5G and 4G MIMO and GNSS L1 and L5 antennas in a 264.6 by 157.6 by 30.5mm form factor. The antenna is used for passenger transport applications in the bus, rail and air industries, in the automotive sector for heavy equipment and vehicle tracking and telematics, in remote asset and pipeline monitoring, and for first responder and emergency services. It is particularly suitable for those using industry routers and supports applications in IoT or M2M and use cases involving HD video over LTE.

At CES, Quectel demonstrated its smart module capabilities with compute-intensive and edge intelligence applications. Using its SG865W-WF smart module, the demonstration showed how future use cases of industrial applications, digital signage, unattended retail, fleet management and healthcare could be enabled with edge intelligence and machine vision functionality.

The SG865W-WF is an Android smart module with built-in octa-core Kryo 585 CPU, Adreno 650 GPU, Adreno 995 DPU, Adreno 665 VPU, Hexagon DSP and Spectra 480 ISP. The module supports Wifi 6, Bluetooth 5.1 and two-by-two Wi-Fi MIMO technology.

Interfaces such as LCM, camera, touch panel, I²S, PCIe, uart, USB, I²C and SPI allow the module to serve IoT applications including a visual inspection system deployed in Quectel’s own automated module production line.

Using Qualcomm’s QCS8250 system-on-chip, the SG865W-WF smart module and industrial equipment including a camera, lens and light, the machine vision offering uses edge computing to deliver the real-time analysis needed to identify defective samples including scratches, dirt and abnormal surface printing on each module, screening out any defective modules during production. By deploying this, Quectel has improved accuracy and high-speed defect detection, improving the production efficiency and quality of its products.

“We are committed to driving digital transformation across all industry sectors through our broad IoT portfolio, working closely with our technology partner, Qualcomm,” said Norbert Muhrer, president and CSO of Quectel Wireless. “The visual inspection we have implemented in our own factories is an excellent example of how we are not only creating the ground-breaking smart modules needed for advanced applications, but also using the technology in our own manufacturing to create a best-in-breed, industry leading defect detection system, helping us greatly improve quality while saving production costs.”