Unlocking the NR+ standard with Wirepas 5G Mesh and the first chipsets
We've known this for a while and it's been public for a moment.
But now we're here to tell the full story. The first NR+-compliant chipsets are here.
This means that the NR+ is really here. It's not anything we're only dreaming of.
In this article, we’ll give you a recap of the basics of the NR+ and some very very cool features. Try comparing it to other similar technologies.
Here are the basics
DECT NR+ (NR+) is the world's pioneering non-cellular 5G technology standard. It has been developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and approved by ITU-R, marking a massive milestone for connectivity.
NR+ technology exhibits exceptional suitability for a broad range of massive Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly on Smart Metering and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Notably, NR+ supports communication on any frequency within the 5G spectrum below 6 GHz that has been allocated for communication purposes. The initial profile focuses on the 1900 MHz frequency band, dedicated explicitly to DECT Classic and NR+ standards. This frequency allocation provides distinct advantages, such as the ability to communicate without duty-cycle limitations and a transmit power of 23 dBm, enhancing the performance and versatility of NR+ deployments.
In making the standard, two commercial contributors were involved every step of the way—us and our partner Nordic Semiconductor.
We've developed our pioneering Wirepas 5G Mesh. That's the first implementation of the NR+ standard for wireless mesh networks. Nordic Semiconductor has covered the physical layer. The company has recently unveiled two innovative products: Their new products on the nRF91 series are nRF9161™ and nRF9131™. Fully designed to support DECT NR+ ("NR+"). NR+ stands as the world's pioneering non-cellular 5G technology standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and approved by ITU-R, marking a huge milestone for connectivity. https://www.etsi.org/newsroom/press-releases/1988-2021-10-world-s-first-non-cellular-5g-technology-etsi-dect-2020-gets-itu-r-approval-setting-example-of-new-era-connectivity
These are the first fully compliant chipsets
Nordic Semiconductor, a leading wireless solutions provider, has recently unveiled two innovative products, the nRF9161™ and nRF9131™, designed to support DECT NR+ ("NR+"). NR+ stands as the world's pioneering non-cellular 5G technology standard developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) and approved by ITU-R, marking a milestone in connectivity. https://www.etsi.org/newsroom/press-releases/1988-2021-10-world-s-first-non-cellular-5g-technology-etsi-dect-2020-gets-itu-r-approval-setting-example-of-new-era-connectivity
The nRF9131 SiP (System in Package) offers an alternative to the nRF9161 module. Reduced in size and still providing increased design flexibility and sourcing options for businesses operating at high volumes. By integrating the System-on-Chip (SoC) and RF Front End within a mini-SiP package, the nRF9131 effectively mitigates significant RF risks and streamlines the manufacturing process. It diverges from the conventional practice of using chipsets in large-scale designs. This integration empowers companies to develop sophisticated products more efficiently. https://www.nordicsemi.com/products/nrf9131[AS1]
The Wirepas 5G Mesh stack is pre-integrated with the nRF9131 and nRF9161 SiPs, enabling seamless interoperability. Lead customers have already leveraged early samples of the SiPs to construct hardware and develop end-to-end system software using Wirepas Connectivity Suite. https://www.wirepas.com/products/connectivity-suite[AS2]
This is what's different
When considering the coverage and range of NR+ technology, it is crucial to differentiate between them. In star topology implementations, devices typically communicate directly with base stations (in the case of cellular networks) or gateways (in the case of LoRa networks). NR+ revolutionizes this approach by introducing mesh communication among the devices themselves. In this mesh network architecture, each device within the network serves as an access point for other devices within its radio range, fostering seamless connectivity and expanded coverage.
The range achieved by NR+ depends on the environmental conditions. In an open field scenario, Nordic Semiconductor's team has successfully demonstrated an impressive range of 5.5 kilometers between two nRF9131 devices, utilizing a transmit power of 19 dBm and a bitrate of 1 Mbps.
However, in urban areas, where real-life conditions prevail, the range between the two devices was measured to be up to 800 meters. In a 100-meter range within urban areas, hundreds to thousands of smart meters can be accommodated, thereby providing many access points for smart meters to connect to the network. These findings highlight the versatility and adaptability of NR+ technology in diverse environments.
This is where we're going with it
In collaboration with Nordic Semiconductor, Wirepas, a forefront wireless mesh protocol stack provider, has developed the pioneering Wirepas 5G Mesh, the first implementation of the NR+ standard for wireless mesh networks.
NR+ technology exhibits exceptional suitability for a broad range of massive Internet of Things (IoT) applications, particularly on Smart Metering and Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Notably, NR+ supports communication on any frequency within the 5G spectrum below 6 GHz that has been allocated for communication purposes. The initial profile focuses on the 1900 MHz frequency band, dedicated explicitly to DECT Classic and NR+ standards. This frequency allocation provides distinct advantages, such as the ability to communicate without duty-cycle limitations and a transmit power of 23 dBm, enhancing the performance and versatility of NR+ deployments.
As the industry embraces NR+ and its potential, Nordic Semiconductor and its partners are at the forefront of enabling advanced IoT applications and transforming how devices connect and communicate in the modern world.
