Nordic’s Thingy aids cellular IoT prototypes
Based on Nordic’s nRF9160 SiP multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT module with GPS, which supports Arm TrustZone Internet-grade encryption and security and CryptoCell for application layer security, the battery-powered Nordic Thingy:91 is a rapid prototyping platform designed for cellular IoT.
It has Arm TrustZone security, includes a full range of sensors, plus embedded support via a Nordic nRF52840 advanced multiprotocol SoC for complementary ultra low power short-range wireless technologies such as Bluetooth5, Thread, Zigbee, and ANT.
The nRF9160 is a low power System-in-Package integrating a dedicated application processor and a multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem. It measures just 10 x 16 x 1mm.
A Nano (4FF) eSIM card from iBasis preloaded with 10MB of data is bundled with the Thingy:91 for automatic, instant, out-of-the-box cellular LTE-M and NB-IoT connectivity and to enable roaming in various countries with cellular IoT networks.
The device suits asset tracking and ships with a full sample asset-tracking application in place. This could take the form of shipping containers where individual items within the container can be tracked via short-range Bluetooth 5, for example location within container and temperature for cold storage goods, with the container itself and any important changes in the status of its contents tracked remotely via long-range cellular wireless technology.
The Nordic Thingy:91 is housed in a 6 x 6-cm plastic and rubber case which includes a USB connector to charge the device’s1440 mAh rechargeable Li-ion battery. Its sensor list includes environmental sensors for measuring temperature, humidity, air quality, and air pressure, plus a colour and light sensor, along with separate low-power and additional high G-force accelerometers.
The application processor includes a 64MHz Arm Cortex-M33 CPU with 1MB of flash and 256KB of ram dedicated for the application. It also has a range of interfaces to communicate with sensors and actuators.
Available now with a recommended retail price of around $119, Nordic Thingy:91 is designed to be programmed using the company’s dedicated cellular IoT ‘nRF Connect SDK’ with integrated Zephyr RTOS.