Iridium Communications Inc., a global provider of voice, data, aircraft surveillance, and satellite positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) services, today announced that Altair Semiconductor, the world leader in mobile IoT chips, is integrating Iridium NTN Direct℠ capabilities into Altair’s next-generation ALT1350 and ALT1set5 platforms.
with Terrestrial cellular IoT and Iridium satellite connectivity in a single chipsetDevice manufacturers, module manufacturers and mobile network operators (MNOs) will be able to extend IoT connectivity beyond the reach of terrestrial networks through the Iridium satellite network, without adding a separate satellite modem to their designs.
Extending Mobile IoT Connectivity Beyond Terrestrial Networks
The partnership combines Altair’s mobile IoT chipset technology, among the most integrated low-power connectivity solutions available, with 3GPP Iridium standard-based non-terrestrial network (NTN) services, giving device manufacturers another chipset option for products that require connectivity beyond terrestrial cellular coverage. With the ultra-low power ALT1350, these connectivity requirements can include asset tracking, logistics, smart metering and utilities, agriculture, vehicle telematics, industrial monitoring and remote infrastructure. With the ALT1550, these capabilities extend beyond the new generation of 5G eRedCap devices powered by AI, such as smart glasses, AI assistants and other wearable devices, which need to stay connected wherever they go.
“Altair has deep experience in developing integrated, low-power IoT solutions, and we are excited to work together to extend our reach with Iridium’s global satellite network,” said Tim Last, executive vice president, Iridium. “As the market leader in IoT satellites, Iridium offers device manufacturers a powerful new way to develop connected products. Integrating Iridium NTN Direct into the Altair chipset will enable solutions and applications that require reliable, low-power connectivity beyond the boundaries of terrestrial networks.”
“Adding Iridium NTN Direct to our ultra-low-power LTE-M/NB-IoT ALT1350 and 5G eRedCap ALT1550 chipsets reflects our commitment to giving customers more flexibility in how and where their IoT devices connect,” said Dima Feldman, VP Product Management and Marketing, Altair Semiconductor.
“With Iridium’s true global LEO satellite connectivity along with terrestrial cellular, device manufacturers can more easily develop solutions that can be reliably used anywhere.”
Iridium NTN Direct utilizes Iridium’s constellation of LEO satellites and globally coordinated L-band spectrum to extend standards-based connectivity beyond the terrestrial network. The service is designed to support NB-IoT and direct-to-device (D2D) applications using chipsets based on compatible 3GPP standards, providing MNOs, chipset manufacturers and device manufacturers with a path to improve connectivity through the Iridium satellite network.
Altair joins a growing ecosystem of partners bringing Iridium NTN Direct services to market. A combination of chip manufacturers, module manufacturers, OEMs, device manufacturers, and IoT developers is leading the next generation of NTN mobile integration with Iridium NTN Direct.