Particle E-Series Modules – LTE Connectivity designed for IoT

Building an Internet of Things based system has always been an exciting art that usually comes with one major challenge to overcome – Connectivity. A smart system or an even intelligent system that collects data without having any network capability can’t be called an IoT system and it’s that device connectivity that gives it the IoT factor. Cellular connectivity has been one of the go-to connectivity for IoT system, and 2G networks have been the umbrella for this connectivity option mostly because it is virtually available everywhere.

Despite the success that 2G & 3G networks have brought to the adoption of Internet of Things application, they are also slowly being phased out for the more robust, better 4G networks. Countries like Australia have stopped a nationwide use of 2G networks and some other countries already making plans to do the same. Particle, a developer of networking hardware and software for connected devices that has released several IoT focused boards in the past, like the Particle Photon and Particle Cellular Modules, has recently launched new LTE modules for 4G networks. These new devices aim those people whose devices depend on 2G and 3G networks and comes with a cloud and SIM support.

The LTE modules are part of Particle’s existing E Series suite, which comes bundled with the Particle Device Cloud, Device OS, and Particle’s collection of developer tools. The E Series modules are powered by an STM32F205 ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller running at 120MHz with features a 1MB Flash, 256KB RAM, and a wealth of GPIO. The modules integrate the industry-leading u-blox Sara cellular modems that provide support for 2G, 3G, and LTE M1/NB1 radios.

The LTE E Series modules are build on their famous Electron cellular prototyping kit, and they all come with standard wireless and cellular certifications – PTCRB Certified, FCC/CE/IC/GCF Certified, and RoHS Compliant. Also, they offer an extended operating temperature range from -20 to 85C for hostile environments. The modules come in 3 family types as listed below:

• Electron development kit
• E Series evaluation board
• E Series modules

Electron Development Kit

The Electron is a tiny development kit for creating cellular-connected electronic projects and products. It comes with a SIM card (Nano 4FF) and an affordable data plan for low-bandwidth things. It also comes with Particle’s development tools and cloud platform for managing and interacting with your new connected hardware.

Below are the specifications:

• U-blox SARA-U260/U270 (3G) and G350 (2G) cellular module
• STM32F205RGT6 120MHz ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller
• 1MB flash, 128KB RAM
• BQ24195 power management unit and battery charger
• MAX17043 fuel gauge
• RGB status LED
• 30 mixed-signal GPIO and advanced peripherals
• Open source design
• Real-time operation system (RTOS)
• FCC, CE, and IC certified

E Series Evaluation Board

The E Series evaluation board is a simple breakout board for the Particles E series cellular IoT modules; It breaks out all the module pins via easy to access headers. The board features a redundant USB port, connector for the LiPo battery, a barrel jack power connector, buttons, RGB LED, and charge status LED.

The evaluation is available in an LTE Evaluation kit. The Evaluation Kit includes an E Series Evaluation Board with your choice of 2G/3G or LTE connectivity, a sample IoT sensor (temperature), and all the cellular accessories you need to build your first industrial-grade proof-of-concept on the Particle platform.

E Series Modules

The E Series module is the industrial version of Particle’s Electron dev kit. It is specially designed for mass scale manufacturing and integration. It comes with an affordable data plan for low-bandwidth applications. It also comes with Particle’s development tools and cloud platform for managing and interacting with your new connected hardware.

The below are the device specifications:

• U-blox SARA-U260/U270/U201/G350 cellular module
• STM32F205RGT6 120MHz ARM Cortex M3 microcontroller
• 1MB flash, 128KB RAM
• BQ24195 power management unit and battery charger
• MAX17043 fuel gauge
• 30 mixed-signal GPIO and advanced peripherals
• Open source design
• Real-time operation system (RTOS)
• FCC, CE, and IC certified

Particle says that their devices have a demand in industrial factory floors and agricultural farm or field as there are a hard-to-reach and widely dispersed sensor networks. Particle says the hardware is a fast and simple route to the market which provides a pre-integrated solution for all.

We launched our cellular development kit, the Electron, to give our developer community access to the power of cellular,” said Zach Supalla,  co-founder, and CEO of Particle, in a statement. “The industrial E Series line made go-to-market with 2G/3G scalable for enterprises. Now with our LTE module, businesses will evolve alongside the quickly-changing cellular landscape without missing a beat.

The Particle E Series Evaluation Kit is available, which includes an E Series Evaluation Board with LTE global connectivity, a sample IoT sensor (temperature), and accessories to build an industrial proof-of-concept for $89.

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