SARA-R4 series - System integration manual
UBX-16029218 - R20
System description
Page 6 of 128
C1-Public
1
System description
1.1
Overview
The SARA-R4 series modules are a multi-band LTE-M / NB-IoT / EGPRS multi-mode solution in the
miniature SARA LGA form factor (26.0 x 16.0 mm, 96-pin). They allow an easy integration into
compact designs and a seamless drop-in migration from other u-blox cellular module families.
SARA-R4 series modules provide software-based multi-band configurability enabling international
multi-regional coverage in LTE-M / NB-IoT and (E)GPRS radio access technologies.
SARA-R4 series modules offer data communications over an extended operating temperature range
of
–
40 °C to +85 °C, with low power consumption, and with coverage enhancement for deeper range
into buildings and basements (and underground with NB-IoT).
SARA-R4 series modules are form-factor compatible with the u-blox LISA, LARA and TOBY cellular
module families and are pin-to-pin compatible with the u-blox SARA-N, SARA-G and SARA-U cellular
module families. This facilitates migration from other u-blox LPWA, GSM/GPRS, CDMA, UMTS/HSPA
and higher LTE categories modules, maximizing customer investments, simplifying logistics, and
enabling very short time-to-market.
With many interface options and an integrated IP stack, SARA-R4 series modules are the optimal
choice for LPWA applications with low to medium data throughput rates, as well as devices that
require long battery lifetimes, such as used in smart metering, smart lighting, telematics, asset
tracking, remote monitoring, alarm panels, and connected health.
Secure cloud product versions are available within the SARA-R4 series modules, including a unique
and immutable root-of-trust. This provides the foundation for a trusted set of advanced security
functionalities. The scalable, pre-shared key management system offers best-in-class data
encryption and decryption, both on-device as well as from device-to-cloud. Utilizing the latest (D)TLS
stack and cipher suites with hardware-based crypto acceleration provides robust, efficient, and
protected communication.
Furthermore, the SARA-R422 series modules support a comprehensive set of 3GPP Rel. 14 features
for LTE Cat M1 and Cat NB2 that are relevant for IoT applications.
The dedicated SARA-R422M8S module is pre-integrated with the u-blox M8 GNSS receiver chip and
a separate GNSS antenna interface which provides highly reliable, accurate positioning data
simultaneously with LTE communication. In addition, the module offers unique hybrid positioning, in
which the GNSS position is enhanced with u-blox CellLocate® data, providing location always and
everywhere.
Customers can future-proof their solutions by means of Over-The-Air firmware updates, thanks to
the uFOTA client/server solution that utilizes LWM2M, a light and compact protocol ideal for IoT.
SARA-R4 series modules will also support VoLTE over Cat M1 and CSFB over 2G RAT. The flexibility
extends further through dynamic mode selection as M1-only/preferred or NB-IoT-only/preferred.
