Waspmote is an open source wireless sensor platform specially focused on the implementation of low consumption modes which allows the sensor nodes ("motes") to be completely autonomous, that is battery powered. Lifetime of Waspmote sensor nodes may go from 1 to 5 years depending on the duty cycle and the radio used. Waspmote is based on a modular architecture. The idea is to integrate only the modules needed in each device optimizing costs. For this reason all the modules (radios, sensor boards, etc) plug in Waspmote through sockets. You will need batteries to use Waspmote as an autonomous device.

The 3GPP association has published 2 cellular narrow band IoT standards in the release 13: NB-IoT (“narrow band for the Internet of Things”) and Cat-M (“category machine”). They are also known as LTE Cat-NB1 and LTE Cat-M1. Libelium has integrated the BG96 chipset by Quectel to meet these standards. This module has been included in the Waspmote ecosystem as an OEM development kit, where the NB-IoT and the Cat-M connectivities can be easily tested in pilot projects or proof of concepts applications.

The NB-IoT / Cat-M module also includes EGPRS connectivity, allowing to transmit information even if there is no coverage for NB-IoT or Cat-M and also maintaining ultra-low power consumption. Besides, the most common Internet protocols like HTTP(S), FTP(S), SSL, TCP or UDP are supported. Moreover, the module integrates a GNSS engine supporting GPS, BeiDou, Galileo, GLONASS and QZSS systems, making it suitable for tracking applications where low cost and accurate positioning is needed.

• Model: BG96 (Quectel)
• Frequency bands:
• Cat NB1 / Cat M1: LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B8/B12/B13/B18/ B19/B20/B25**/B26*/B28
• LTE TDD: B39 (for Cat-M1 only)
• EGPRS: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Data:
• Cat-NB1: Max. 32 kbps (DL), Max. 70 kbps (UL)
• Cat-M1: Max. 375 kbps (DL), Max. 375 kbps (UL)
• EDGE: Max. 296 kbps (DL), Max. 236.8 kbps (UL)
• GPRS: Max. 107 kbps (DL), Max. 85.6 kbps (UL)
• SMS:
• Point-to-point MO and MT
• SMS Cell Broadcast
• Text and PDU Mode
• GNNS: Embedded GNSS as optional. Supports GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou/Compass, Galileo and QZSS.
• Antenna connectors:
• U.FL for main antenna (cellular)
• U.FL for GNSS antenna
• External antenna: 5 dBi
• Sensitivity:
• -113 dBm @Cat NB1, CE Level 0
• -107 dBm @Cat M1, 1.4 MHz Bandwidth, CE Mode A
• SIM size: Nano-SIM (4FF standard) (not included)
• Protocols: PPP/TCP/UDP/SSL/TLS/FTP(S)/HTTP(S)/NITZ/ PING/MQTT