CAT-M1 (LTE-M) is a cellular technology, belonging to the lower version of the same series of 4G, which can fully reuse the existing 4G resources and has the characteristics of low power consumption, low cost and high speed. It is usually called Lte cat 1 or Cat 1 in China. Designed specifically for the needs of applications targeting Internet of Things (IoT) or machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.Although the 4G Cellular module mainly uses Lte cat 4 and the download rate can reach 150m, most IoT scenarios do not require such a high rate.
LTE-M is a low-power wide-area (LPWA) air interface that lets you connect IoT and M2M devices with moderate data rate requirements. It offers extended battery life and greater built-in range compared to standard cellular technologies such as 2G, 3G, or higher LTE classes.
Using "categories" in LTE radio technology, each device connected to the LTE network has a differentiated function. Lte cat 1 devices, for example, can provide download speeds of up to 10 Mbps, while LTE cat 4 devices can use carrier aggregation and allow download speeds of up to 150 Mbps.Cat M1 refers to a group of devices operating on a narrow 1.4 MHz channel with a download rate of 589 Kbps and an uplink speed of 1.1 Mbps.
Wide coverage: extend coverage indoors as well as in underground or semi-underground locations (such as underground pipes, basements or other remote areas).
Enhanced security and reliability: LTE-M networks are secure and reliable, operating on licensed spectrum with carrier-grade security.
Long battery life: The LTE-M system is very power-efficient, providing a 10x improvement in battery life without the need for an external power supply.
Low cost: Lower module and invocation costs make it easy to produce and scale IoT devices that support LTE-M.
Future development: LTE-M is a standard set by 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) and therefore has all the reliability and continuity of Lte cat 4 and subsequent 5G.
Broad application support: LTE-M has very low latency (< 100ms) and supports two-way communication, so it is suitable for static and mobile use cases.
Prospects for Lte cat 1 In the process of intergenerational migration of cellular IoT connectivity, the original 2G/3G connectivity can only be made by NB-IoT and Lte cat 4.Among them, scenarios with low frequency, small packets, low mobility, low delay sensitivity and high cost sensitivity can be carried out through NB-IoT; Medium rates, some requirements for latency and mobility, and affordable support for voice and cost can be handled by Lte cat 1.
Asset tracking
With the rise of the self-driving car movement, connected cars are more popular than ever. Today's cars contain a plethora of sensors that contribute to safety, performance, automation, and other functions.Lte cat 1 is ideal for high-mobility assets such as cars as LTE connectivity, as it manages cell tower handoffs and high-speed LTE, and is comparable to a typical smartphone with no resource charges.
Wearable devices
Most of today's smartwatches have data capabilities as an option, which is understandable. It is beneficial to use connected devices on your person. Lte cat 1's low power consumption improves the usability of IoT wearables.It is capable of pinpointing to locate missing persons, sending notifications when certain criteria are met, granting access to protected facilities through authentication.
Most wearable use cases contain sensitive data, such as personal data and security credentials. They are also always connected to humans, the world's most mobile asset. As a result, cellular communication types like Lte cat 1 are more prevalent. Most of today's smartwatches have data capabilities as an option, which is understandable.Lte cat 1's low power consumption improves the usability of IoT wearables. It is capable of pinpointing to locate missing persons, sending notifications when certain criteria are met, granting access to protected facilities through authentication.
Most wearable use cases contain sensitive data, such as personal data and security credentials. They are also always connected to humans, the world's most mobile asset. As a result, cellular communication types like Lte cat 1 are more prevalent.
Vending machine
Vending machines are a good example of large-scale Internet of Things applications, because they can be placed in thousands of places. However, network coverage can be an issue if the device is placed anywhere. For example, vending machines in subway stations need to be covered underground, which is difficult for most connection types.Also, if your IoT sensor is on all the time, you'll change the battery in a few minutes. Lte cat 1 helps minimize costs and ensure reliable coverage in this scenario.
Security system
There is no room for error when it comes to security. As a result, Lte cat 1 cellular connectivity is used in many IoT security systems. The alarm panel is the backbone of the common minimum data. Because of the minimum power requirement, the user does not forget to replace the battery frequently.In addition, Lte cat 1 also offers voice capabilities via VoLTE (dubbed over LTE), making it ideal for IoT applications such as alarm panels that require human involvement. In terms of security, cellular networks are better for immediate use than Wifi/Bluetooth because there are no restrictions for reasons such as geography and distance.
