Cat M1, also known as LTE M, low-cost machine-type communication (MTC) or LTE-enhanced MTC (eMTC) was developed by 3GPP as part of Release 13 of the LTE standard.
Cat M1 aims to meet the needs of IoT devices based on the existing LTE carriers. eMTC supports peak data rates of 1Mbps for uplink and downlink. The speed and reliability of LTE Cat M are not as good as expected to cope with the IoT requirements of surveillance cameras and logistic tracking devices, leaving a technological emptiness in the field of middle-rate IoT connectivity.
Cat M1 offers fast enough bandwidth to serve as a replacement for many current 2G and 3G IoT applications. It is different than NB IoT in several other ways: Cat M1 supports cellular tower handoffs, so it works with mobile applications, such as asset tracking and fleet management. It also supports voice features in IoT applications, such as medical alert devices and home alarm systems where the ability for people to talk is important.
There are some differences in VoLTE between Cat 1 and Cat M1. As already stated, Cat 1 can fully support VoLTE at its high bandwidth but, due to the fact that Cat M1 belongs to the narrow bandwidth category, it cannot provide the best user experience.
The key missing item is cellular network readiness. Cat 1 is considered as native in LTE, whereas Cat M1 has to be purchased by the mobile network operators (MNO) as an add-on. Cat 1 doesn’t require software and hardware upgrades for the base station, so there are no network coverage costs.
In the rapidly evolving field of Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), communication technology is undoubtedly the core driving force behind its continuous progress. LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1, two highly anticipated communication technologies, each play an indispensable role in IIoT. However, what are the differences between them, and what unique features do they possess? Let's delve deeper into this topic.
First, we need to clarify the different positioning of LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1. LTE CAT 1, or LTE User Equipment Category 1, is a crucial technology in the 4G communication realm. It was primarily developed to meet the needs of IoT devices for wide-area network connectivity, especially in terms of mid-to-low-speed data transmission and cost-effectiveness. LTE CAT 1 not only supports global coverage and roaming, enabling devices to seamlessly switch between operator networks in different regions, but also provides stable and reliable connectivity, ensuring the continuity and quality of data transmission. Moreover, its low power consumption and cost make it an ideal choice for massive machine-type communication (eMTC).
On the other hand, LTE CAT M1, also known as LTE-M or eMTC, is a low-cost LPWAN (Low-Power Wide-Area Network) technology introduced by 3GPP in the 13th release of the LTE standard. Compared to LTE CAT 1, CAT M1 focuses more on low-power, low-cost IoT application scenarios. It offers upload and download speeds up to 1Mbps, with a latency of only 10 to 15 milliseconds, providing a fast and stable communication experience for IoT devices. Furthermore, CAT M1 supports cellular tower switching, making it excel in mobile application scenarios such as asset tracking and fleet management.
In terms of technical details, LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1 have significant differences. LTE CAT 1 utilizes a wider frequency band for communication, ensuring faster data transmission speeds and stability. In contrast, CAT M1 employs narrowband communication technology, which, while slightly slower than CAT 1, offers advantages in terms of power consumption and cost. Additionally, CAT M1 supports voice functionality in IoT applications, which is of significant value in certain scenarios.
In IIoT application scenarios, LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1 each demonstrate unique advantages. LTE CAT 1, with its global coverage, stability, and relatively low cost, has become the preferred technology for IoT devices to connect to wide-area networks. It is suitable for applications requiring higher data transmission speeds and extensive coverage, such as smart meters and intelligent security systems. CAT M1, on the other hand, leverages its low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and fast and stable communication experience to gain widespread adoption in IoT devices. It is particularly suitable for applications requiring mobility support, low power consumption, and low cost, such as smart agriculture and intelligent logistics.
In conclusion, LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1, as the communication pioneers of Industrial Internet of Things, play significant roles in various application scenarios. They have not only propelled the rapid development of IIoT, but also presented unprecedented opportunities and challenges to traditional industries. As technology continues to progress and application scenarios expand, it is expected that LTE CAT 1 and CAT M1 will continue to play a crucial role in the future of IIoT.
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