u-blox and ORBCOMM have announced a partnership to start developing solutions for the convergence of terrestrial and satellite IoT communications markets.

With this partnership, u-blox will directly integrate support for ORBCOMM’s satellite communication protocols into its UBX-R52/S52 LPWA (low-power wide-area) modem SoC (system-on-a-chip). The result: a chipset highly optimized, smaller, less complex, and that offers dual connectivity at a lower cost. This chipset will be at the core of future u-blox module products supporting terrestrial LPWA and satellite IoT protocols, enabling connected solutions almost anywhere in the world.

“The UBX-R52/S52 chipset is a mature technology platform with proven market acceptance among IoT solution providers. Specifically designed for IoT applications with long lifecycle needs, it will further strengthen u-blox’s leadership in asset tracking. u-blox partnership with ORBCOMM will integrate satellite protocol support alongside cellular protocols. This integration will expand the addressable market for IoT applications, including remote locations without reliable cellular coverage,” said Martin Leach, Head of Product Center Cellular at u-blox.

The AX88279 is a high-integrated, easy-design and cost-efficient USB Ethernet controller solution. It is suitable for various smart home and office network applications, which require establishing 2.5G Ethernet network connectivity through the USB 3.2 interface, such as laptops, USB Ethernet dongles, docking stations, smart mobile device cradles, POS terminals, game consoles, smart cameras, set-top boxes, 5G/LTE router, and embedded systems with USB 3.2 interface.

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