Cellular IoT and LPWAN - addressing the industry FUD
Chet Babla, ARM
Vendor:
Palma Ceia SemiDesign, Inc.
Category:
Cellular
NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver
The NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver is built to comply with the Release 13 standard from 3GPP.
Overview
The NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver is built to comply with the Release 13 standard from 3GPP. It can also operate in a Release-14-compliant mode.
Both the transmitter and the receiver offer performances that meets or exceeds the 3GPP specifications with comfortable margin.
The NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver operates in the cellular band consistent with LTE Advanced Release 13. It offers analog input and output for ease of testing on FPGA and with silicon baseband modules. It is extremely programmable with an easy SPI interface.
The receiver has internal calibration schemes for DC offset correction and provides the necessary control knobs for IQ mismatch correction
Specifications
| Operating Frequency | 699 MHz to 960 MHz/1695 MHz to 2200 MHz |
| Supported Bandwidth | 200 kHz |
| NF | < 3 dB |
| IIp3 | > -17 dBm |
| Max Input Signal | -10 dBm |
| Supported Interfaces | SPI/SDIO, JTAG, UART, I2C, GPIO, I2S |
The transceiver offers a low-power profile, including the radio, and can be upgraded to meet Release 14 using an external power amplifier that offers +23 dBm output power. Offers 15 dB margin to ACS GSM testing and 8 dB margin for ACS E-UTRA testing.
Easy Integration, Robust Design
Designed to interface with the baseband and MAC layers on a system-level chip. Comprehensive documentation and support make platform integration easy. Built to the highest standards using state-of-the-art RF design methods. Silicon-proven design by Palma Ceia customers worldwide.
Key features
Receiver
- Supported bandwidth = 200 kHz
- NF < 3 dB
- IIP3 > -17 dBm
- Max Input signal = -10 dBm
- Gain range >100 dB
- TX Current consumption: 22 mA
Transmitter
- Power range = 70 dB
- Gain step =~ 0.5 dB
- OP1dB = +10 dBm
- Return loss < -8 dB
- Minimal latency of 1 μs in the receiver
- Max output transmit power of +10 dBm
- RX Current consumption: 18.3 mA
Block Diagram
PCS NB-IOT Transceiver block diagram
Benefits
- Easy link to commercial cellular networks
- Low power design for maximizing batter life
- Robust performance for the best response in the field
- Built-n calibration for maximizing performance
- Optimized for NB-IOT 3GPP Release 13 at 200kHz
Applications
- Consumer and Industrial IoT
- M2M Communications
- Low Power Wide Area Sensor Networks
- Wearables
- Automotive Vehicle to Infrastructure Communications
What’s Included?
- GDS
- User Documentation
- Test Bench
Files
Note: some files may require an NDA depending on provider policy.
Silicon Options
| Foundry | Node | Process | Maturity |
|---|---|---|---|
| TSMC | 40nm | LP | — |
Specifications
Identity
Part Number
PCS NB-IOT Transceiver
Vendor
Palma Ceia SemiDesign, Inc.
Provider
Palma Ceia SemiDesign, Inc.
HQ:
United States
Palma Ceia SemiDesign ("PCS") designs and licenses high-performance analog IP for existing and emerging mixed signal markets for broadband, wireless communications, and infrastructure, medical and automotive applications. PCS specializes in AFE as well as specialty PLL, data converters, LNA and PA designs.
Headquartered in Moutain View CA, PCS has design operations in McKinney, TX.
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Frequently asked questions about cellular IP cores
What is NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver?
NB-IoT (LTE Cat NB1) Transceiver is a Cellular IP core from Palma Ceia SemiDesign, Inc. listed on Semi IP Hub. It is listed with support for tsmc.
How should engineers evaluate this Cellular?
Engineers should review the overview, key features, supported foundries and nodes, maturity, deliverables, and provider information before shortlisting this Cellular IP.
Can this semiconductor IP be compared with similar products?
Yes. Buyers can compare this product with similar semiconductor IP cores or IP families based on category, provider, process options, and structured technical specifications.