Anterix, developing private cellular systems for the utilities industry in the US, has commissioned French IoT chip maker Sequans to develop a multi-band LTE Cat-4 module to work in 900 MHz spectrum, the 3.55-3.7 GHz CBRS band, as well as with public mobile operator frequencies in the US. The new Sequans product, Cassiopeia CA410, is geared for utilities that want to operate private LTE networks at 900 MHz and 3.55-3.7 GHz, and retain the option to connect to commercial networks as well.
Anterix is the largest holder of licensed spectrum in the 900 MHz band (896-901/935-940 MHz) in the mainland US, plus Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico, also. It sells private LTE spectrum access and network systems to the energy, transportation, logistics sectors, primarily. The new module will “support and accelerate the growth of the ecosystem of new OEM equipment” to go with the Anterix proposition for the US smart utilities market, plus associated sectors.
The new Cassiopeia CA410 module is to be available in two form factors, CA410L for LCC and CA410M for M.2; it will be available for “sampling” in the second half of 2023. Carlos L’Abbate, chief technology officer at Anterix, said: “Our partnership with Sequans demonstrates the power of the Anterix Active Ecosystem to advance connectivity solutions and services for utilities that enhance the value of their private LTE network investments. We’re excited to see the new solutions that our collaborators will enable as a result.”
Bertrand Debray, executive vice president and general manager for broadband IoT at Sequans, said: “Anterix is bringing tremendous value to the utility industry by offering transformative solutions to leverage the capabilities of private LTE networks and their many benefits including reliability, security, and scalability. Anterix is building a vibrant ecosystem and modern architecture for energy distribution, and we are proud that our connectivity technology will play a key part.”
Meanwhile, Sequans has combined with German in-flight connectivity firm SKYFive and New Zealand aircraft comms provider Flightcell on a “postage-stamp sized” module with air-to-ground (A2G) technology to enable broadband connectivity for aircraft operators. A2G technology overcomes limitations with terrestrial networks and satellite systems, where terrestrial networks only work at low altitude and satellite systems offer limited bandwidth, and are “very costly and difficult to install, especially on rotorcraft”, noted a press statement.
As such, SKYFive and Sequans have developed a diminutive A2G modem to offer “reliable, secure, and always-on” comms; the unit can be integrated into airborne devices “with minimal effort”, the trio declared. Flightcell, making systems for public safety aircraft, military, and commercial aircraft, is the first to adopt the new technology, integrating it into its DZMx device, following testing with Australian A2G operator Pivotel in the greater Sydney area in 2022.
Flightcell’s DZMx unit weighs around 800g, and fits into “any aircraft”. It has shipped more than 3000 DZMx units into major aviation markets. The testing by Pivotel, with new A2G base stations on several towers, upheld predicted throughput, latency, reliability, and consistency, said the group. Pivotel plans to extend its A2G network during 2023, subject to regulatory approval.
Dirk Lindemeier, chief commercial officer at SkyFive, said: “The A2G module represents a further milestone reached in miniaturizing the technology and making aircraft installation easy. We look forward to seeing entirely new aircraft types connecting to our networks very soon.”
James Mace, director at Flightcell, added: “The option to configure DZMx with an A2G module we open up new possibilities for operators of helicopters and fixed wing aircraft that are flying air ambulance, aerial firefighting, law enforcement, and other missions, as well as light business aircraft, both for our large installed base and new deliveries.”
David Choukroun, senior director of business development at Sequans, commented: “The A2G module will enable a multitude of new and exciting airborne communications applications, and the module’s high-performance capabilities, including ultra large cell range and the ability to operate reliably at the high speed of aircraft, meet the most demanding avionics requirements.”
