California-based Semtech has announced two AirLink 5G RedCap routers that address a critical gap in industrial and commercial IoT: the need for future-proof and energy-efficient 5G connectivity scaled to real-world IoT application needs.

“5G RedCap adoption is accelerating, with connections projected to surpass 656 million globally by 2030, including eRedCap,” said Shobhit Srivastava, senior principal analyst at Omdia (omdia.tech.informa.com). “The technology delivers the right combination of attributes for industrial applications: 5G network longevity, power efficiency and 5G performance that matches real-world industrial requirements without the cost premium of traditional 5G. As LTE networks phase out through the 2030s, 5G RedCap will provide organisations with a deployment path that makes both technical and economic sense.”

The AirLink RX400 and EX400 routers deliver 5G RedCap performance while consuming less than 1W of power when idle, enabling deployments in remote, off-grid locations previously served by existing LTE networks or expensive, high-power traditional 5G products. Both routers deliver the throughput and low latency necessary for IoT applications and have a 2×2 MIMO antenna configuration to simplify integration in existing and new deployments.

Based on 3GPP Release 17 and 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, 5G RedCap technology delivers enhanced network performance and future-proof longevity as carriers continue to modernise their infrastructure. The RX400 and EX400 support 5G RedCap but also LTE Cat-4 for flexible connectivity and immediate deployments.

“Industrial IoT has been caught between traditional 5G that’s too power-hungry and expensive for off-grid applications, and 4G LTE networks that have limited long-term viability,” said Kinana Hussain, vice president at Semtech. “AirLink 5G RedCap routers change the game. With sub-1W power consumption and ruggedised designs built for extreme conditions, these RedCap routers deliver 5G at IoT economics. This enables customers to upgrade their networks today to match the long lifespan industrial operations require, finally providing a sustainable path for connecting remote critical infrastructure.”

The sub-1W power efficiency of both routers enables entirely 5G deployment scenarios such as remote infrastructure monitoring for off-grid scada or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) backhaul in energy and utilities. They can also be used for critical infrastructure monitoring in oil and gas and distributed commercial IoT in retail, manufacturing and agricultural operations. And they are suitable for temporary installations such as mobile deployments where grid power is unavailable or cost-prohibitive.

The RX400 (www.sierrawireless.com/router-solutions/rx400) is said to be the industry’s most power efficient 5G RedCap router with a rugged IP64 and MIL810H design for outdoor environments and applications requiring reliability. The combination of rugged design and low power consumption optimises it for critical infrastructure applications where grid power is unavailable, enabling solar-powered operation in remote locations.

The router supports global private LTE and 5G bands, including Anterix Band 106 (900MHz spectrum standardised under 3GPP Release 18), delivering the versatility and future-proofing for mission-critical deployments across energy, utilities and industrial sectors. The router also features a single and dual serial port, a single Gigabit Ethernet port, edge computing capabilities and optional Wifi 6.

The EX400 (www.sierrawireless.com/router-solutions/ex400) has a semi-rugged design for use in IoT applications in retail, manufacturing and agricultural operations. The router features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, edge computing capabilities and optional Wifi 6.

Both include one year of AirLink Complete with hardware warranty, round-the-clock support and remote management through the cloud-based AirLink Management Service platform. This lets organisations securely monitor, manage and automatically update router deployments at scale without overwhelming IT support teams.

Semtech (www.semtech.com) is also expanding management options for its AirLink OS-based routers through optional management via AirLink Manager and AirLink Mobility Manager platforms. These can be deployed hosted or on-premises, providing AirLink users with flexibility to choose the management option that best fits their operational and organisational requirements.