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 >  Company Profile > 2017 News Release > Dual-Mode LPWA Communication LSI"ML7404"


 

Dual-Mode LPWA Compliant Wireless Communication LSI "ML7404"


The Industry’s First Dual-Mode LPWA (Low Power Wide Area)
Compliant Wireless Communication LSI

~ Supports both Sigfox and IEEE802.15.4k standards and expands transmission range by more than 10 times for IoT equipment  ~


Summary

WQFN 32

LAPIS Semiconductor has recently announced the availability of an RF LSI optimized for LPWA (Low Power Wide Area), which is expected to usher in a new area of wireless IoT communication.

The ML7404 is the first wireless communication LSI in the industry to feature LPWA dual-mode functionality, supporting both the Sigfox standard (subscription-based LPWA using unlicensed sub-GHz), which has been adoped in more than 30 countries and expanding in metropolitan areas including Japan, and the international protocol IEEE802.15.4K*1 that is extremely robust against interference from the same system and has the capacity to cover more terminals under one network. This dual-mode capability enables use in a wide range of applications/specifications.

Communication modules containing this device will be released from partner companies to simplify the development of LPWA-compatible devices that contribute increased IoT adoption. In addition, the protocol stack for IEEE802.15.4k will be provided as open-source from our partner stack vendors.

LPWA

In recent years, LPWA using the sub-GHz band (which is not subject to RF licensing) is attracting attention for IoT applications. However, because the specific communication protocol varies from one country/region to the next, as of yet no method has been standardized from among the diverse array of IoT networks currently in use.

LAPIS Semiconductor has previously released wireless communication LSIs for sub-GHz specified low power radio base stations ahead of the competition, helping to achieve a smarter world through IoT. This time we developed an LPWA device that supports multiple methods, facilitating the early launch of IoT networks and the effective spread of applications and services.

 

【Terminology】

  • *1 : IEEE802.15.4k
  • A long-range wireless protocol part of the IEEE family of standards. Sensitivity is improved using the direct sequence spread spectrum method (DSSS). The IEEE802 series standardizes physical layers such as wireless LAN, Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Wi-SUN.

Key Features

1. Supports dual LPWA modes (Sigfox and IEEE802.15.4k)

  • The ML7404 is a dual-mode LPWA wireless communication LSI compatible with both IEEE802.15.4k and the Sigfox standard utilized predominately in Europe.
(a) Compatible with Sigfox

Sigfox, a type of LPWA wireless communication system currently being employed in more than 30 countries around the world.

(b) Supports IEE802.15.4k

The 802.15.4k standard defined by IEEE is characterized by DSSS*2 based on orthogonal spreading codes and features high interference tolerance from the same system compared with other spread spectrum communication methods. Plus it can accommodate more terminals under the same network. This protocol utilizes the high reliability sub-GHz band that does not require a license.

Parameter ML7404 LoRa   Sigfox employed in 32 countries
(as of Feb, 2017)
Sigfox IEEE
802.15.4k
Frequency
Band
SubGHz
(Unlicensed Band)
  Europe 18 (France, Germany, UK, etc)
Service
Scheme
Public Private Private / Public   North/South
Americas
5 (USA, Mexico, Brazil, etc)
Communication
Method
Upload Upload/Download Upload/Download   Asia/Oceania 8 (Japan, Taiwan, Australia, etc)
Features Employed or studied
in more than
30 countries
Robust again
interference from
the same system
Over 400 appliance
members
  Africa  1 (South Africa)

【Terminology】

  • *2 : DSSS(Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum)
  • A type of spread spectrum method that spreads and transmits baseband signals within a wider band. Pseudo noise is frequency diffused and de-spread during reception, providing greater resistance against interference.

2.The industry’s first hardware-based BPSK modulation circuit
for Sigfox contributes to lower set power consumption

  • Sigfox uses the BPSK modulation method which is not employed by conventional sub-GHz communication. However, because standard Sigfox compliant LSIs do not support BPSK modulation, it is necessary to create BPSK symbol data utilizing control MCU software. Unfortunately, this requires that the control MCU be activated each time wireless communication is performed, resulting in unnecessary set power consumption. In contrast, the ML7404 integrates a BPSK modulation circuit that eliminates the need for the control MCU to operate (in the physical layer) during wireless communication, reducing system power consumption.
 

3. Development support

  • An optional evaluation kit bundles sample programs (simple MAC) and various test scenarios, with reference module designs currently being prepared. In addition, full support is offered, including manuals and tools that can be downloaded from LAPIS Semiconductor’ website (registration required). And in the future, communication modules integrating the ML7404 along with low power protocol stacks for IEEE802.15.4k will be released from partner companies.

Specifications

Parameter ML7404
Sigfox IEEE802.15.4k SubGHz
Frequency Band 750MHz ~ 960MHz 315MHz~ 960MHz
Base
Modulation
Method
BPSK 4GFSK/4GMSK,
GFSK/GMSK,
FSK/MSK
Long Distance Method UNB DSSS
Data Rate 100bps 0.625k ~ 25kbps 0.1k ~ 200kbps
Tx Power Max+17dBm
Rx Sensitivity -121dBm
@ 200kbps,400kHz
-120dBm @ 2.4kbps,433Mhz
-109dBm @ 38.4kbs,920MHz
Coding Method NRZ, Manchester, 3 out of 6
Other Wakeup, address filter, antenna diversity
Supply
Voltage
1.8V ~ 3.6V (1mW)
Transmission Current 34mA @ 20mW 34mA @ 20mW 34mA @ 20mW
Reception Current 13.6mA 13.6mA
Transmission Distance* ~10Km ~1Km
Sleep Current
(Timer-ON)
1.2µA
Package 32pin WQFN
* May vary depending on reference values, communication conditions, and the ambient environment

Sales Plan and Applications

Gas and water meters, sensor networks, building health monitoring, smart agriculture, security systems, and other industrial applications requiring long-distance wireless communication
  • Part No : ML7404
  • Sample Release : July 2017
  • Sample Price (Reference) : $10 (Excluding tax)
  • Mass Production : December 2017
  • Production Quantity : 100,000pcs./month
  • Packaging : T&R (1000pcs/reel)
  • Recommended Applications : Gas and water meters, sensor networks, building health monitoring, smart agriculture, security systems, and other industrial applications requiring long-distance wireless communication

Inquiry

For customers' inquiry regarding this release: please go to   the inquiry page

* Information in the press releases is current on the date of the press announcement, but is subject to change without prior notice.

*Please note that the names of companies and products described in this document are the trademarks or registered trademarks
  of their respective companies and organizations.

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