Sony has recently enabled its flagship IoT chipset, ALT1250, with terrestrial network (TN) L-band support, expanding its already powerful capabilities to further enhance the operation of commercial IoT devices and networks.
Sony’s ALT1250 chipset, already available for commercial devices, supports satellite (NTN) L-Band operation, standardized in 3GPP as band 255.
The addition of L-band terrestrial band support, i.e., 3GPP Band 24, enables commercial IoT devices to operate on the L-band in both TN and NTN (non-terrestrial network) modes, with the potential to significantly improve availability and efficiency through a more seamless transition of devices between satellite and terrestrial network components.
IoT terminals can be connected to terrestrial networks when within terrestrial coverage areas and switch smoothly to satellite operation within the same L-band spectrum when outside of terrestrial coverage. This dual-mode capability opens up a world of possibilities for IoT applications across various industries.
Use Cases for dual mode TN/NTN operation for IoT
The integration of Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN) with IoT devices enables a wide range of applications that were previously challenging or impossible to implement. Some key use cases include:
Asset Tracking: Global tracking of high-value assets, shipping containers, and vehicles across remote areas.
Agriculture: Monitoring crop health, soil conditions, and livestock in rural and remote farmlands.
Environmental Monitoring: Collecting data from sensors in forests, oceans, and other hard-to-reach locations for climate research and natural disaster prediction.
Maritime and Aviation: Ensuring continuous connectivity for ships and aircraft, enabling real-time monitoring and communication.
Emergency Services: Providing reliable communication in disaster-stricken areas where terrestrial networks may be compromised.
Utility Networks: Mostly relying on terrestrial coverage with public and private networks, device will be able to communicate thorough satellites in case of poor coverage or network outage.
The Power of NTN for IoT
NTN technology offers several advantages for IoT applications:
Coverage: Extending far beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, satellite NTN networks provide ubiquitous and always-on connectivity over a much wider area than traditional wireless network.
Reliability: NTN provides an additional layer of network reliability, ensuring critical endpoints maintain service continuity and operate seamlessly across networks.
Cost-Effectiveness: Using 3GPP standards-based technology, mobile satellite service providers can leverage mobile terrestrial volumes, making use of mainstream, low-cost IoT chipsets and devices which support both satellite and terrestrial connectivity. This approach minimizes the cost differential between terrestrial-only and hybrid terrestrial/satellite devices.
Efficient Resource Utilization: The dual-mode capability allows for the most efficient use of resources, seamlessly switching between terrestrial and satellite networks as needed.
Outlook for L-Band Technology
In the US, L-band is unique in that it is licensed and standardized for both satellite and terrestrial use. While terrestrial L-band networks are currently not deployed in the United States, Sony’s enhanced band support ensures that the device ecosystem is ready today and can be activated when networks are ready.
Using 3GPP standards-based technology, mobile satellite service providers can leverage mobile terrestrial volumes, making use of mainstream, low-cost IoT chipsets and devices which support both satellite and terrestrial connectivity. This approach minimizes the cost differential between terrestrial-only and hybrid terrestrial/satellite devices.
Extending far beyond the reach of terrestrial networks, the satellite NTN networks provide ubiquitous and always-on connectivity over a much wider area than traditional wireless networks. 3GPP standards-based devices allow critical endpoints to maintain service continuity, operate seamlessly across networks, and enable the most efficient use of resources while providing an additional layer of network reliability.