NB-IoT overview

Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) is the most notable leap in IoT technologies, presented by 3GPP Release 13 specification. While EC-GSM-IoT offers a simple path to cellular IoT, NB-IoT on the other hand is the real deal, in terms of IoT.

NB-IoT offers a standard technology reusing many elements of the LTE standard while having a primary focus on IoT-related requirements and features.

NB-IoT offers interesting options in terms of spectrum, as it is possible to deploy it within the existing LTE bands (in-band deployment alongside LTE), or one can use the LTE guard bands for standalone deployments that maintain the LTE spectrum for LTE services.

NB-IoT is designed for extended coverage, 10 years of battery life (for certain predefined duty cycles), limited data rates, not-so-low latency (going hand-in-hand with relatively low data rates, as it is a narrowband system), with very simple architectural definitions, and altogether with a cost baseline below that of LTE Cat M1. This offers a connectivity potential of over 50.000 devices per cell.

Exploring  NB-IoT further, one finds a Power Saving Mode and extended Discontinuous Reception (PSM and eDRX) for optimized power consumption. The IoT device complexity in NB-IoT is lower than in other GSM devices, due to simplified synchronization and signaling procedures. The uplink capacity for users in bad coverage areas has been improved through single-tone transmissions, instead of multitoned. NB-IoT also provides support for positioning, multicast capabilities, and mobility.

The capabilities and its fitness for purpose make NB-IoT the first cellular IoT technology that will see truly massive deployments. The chipset manufacturers are showing the lead in that sense, with many major chipset vendors already presenting NB-IoT chipsets. The scene is now set for true IoT growth.