Our flagship modem, the MTC2-N9151 is based on the Nordic nRF9151 SIP. The MTC2-N9151 ushers in a new paradigm for LooUQ with a truly “smart” modem.

MTC2-N9151 embedded modem

The nRF9151 has an Arm Cortex-M33 as a dedicated application processor, fully programmable by the user, with 1MB of FLASH, 256kB of RAM, and a broad array of peripherals. With the MTC2-N9151 you do not need a separate MCU chip in your design save costs and streamlining your product design.  Running at 64MHz, the MTC2-N9151 can handle even the most demanding IoT sense and control applications.

By leveraging the straight forward development features of the Nordic Connect SDK, the MTC2-N9151 is fully integrated into the Nordic style of embedded application development. LooUQ provided templates and overlays get you up and running quickly and on the road to rich Zephyr RTOS applications. Security is rock solid too, the nRF9151 module includes the Arm TrustZone and Arm CryptoCell, these advance security features are seamlessly supported in Nordic Connect SDK and helping you guard against current and future security risks.

Communications is top-shelf with support for LTE-M and NB-IoT across all public provider networks. But you can go infrastructure free with optional DECT-NR+ firmware. DECT-NR+ is a robust 5G specified wireless technology for building private IoT networks. When running standard LTE firmware, a GNSS receiver is also available.

When you are ready to go out of this world, future firmware releases for the nRF9151 will support NTN (non-terrestrial networks). For information about that see Nordic Semiconductor enables new possibilities.

GNSS features include an onboard LNA for passive GNSS (GPS) antennas. If the need exists, the N9151 has a power-injection circuit for powering remote active GNSS antennas with an embedded LNA. Both the onboard LNA and power-injection circuits are switched automatically based on GNSS activity to conserve power when not needed.

With all these features you might think that the MTC2-N9151 is a power hungry beast, but just the opposite. Nordic’s insightful design make the nRF9151 one of the least power consuming cellular modules available. LooUQ has also incorporated features to further reduce power consumption, like configurable LED operations and switchable low-power mode in multi-MCU systems.

The MTC2-N9151 is fully compatible with Nordic NCS (Nordic Connect SDK). NCS support the popular Zephyr RTOS for a rich development environment that is specifically designed for embedded applications. With the N9151 1 MB of flash and 256 MB of RAM, the RTOS provides new opportunities for advanced embedded applications. To take advantage of this capability, LooUQ provides board files including devicetree overlays and default configuration files entirely created to Zephyr standards.

MTC2-N9151 Features

  • LTE (LTE-M and NB-IoT) and GNSS available with base firmware

  • DECT-NR+ (5G) firmware available for infrastructure free networking

  • Class 3 or Class 5 LTE operation

  • 30mm (W) by 40mm (H) (30mm x 45mm total board space)

  • 4mm total height (part height 1.4/1.5 mm) 2.48mm PCB clearance

  • M.2 connector host interface, follows LooUQ MTC.2 specification

  • 32 assignable I/O pins with flexible pin multiplexing

  • 8 I/O pins can be ADC (fixed pin assignment)

  • 4 smart-serial peripherals (SPI, I2C, UART, I2S)

  • 4 PWM channels

  • Both SWD and trace debugging signals on the host interface

  • Simple 3-5 volt power source

  • GPIO interface voltage of 1.8v-3.3v

MTC2-N9151 3D-step-static
MTC2-N9151-dim
LooUQ_MTC2-Template
Design Tools

LooUQ provides design resources to simplify integrating the MTC2-N9151 into your design. Like the 3D step model above.

Compact Form-Factor

Compact yet powerful, versatile MCU with cellular communications.

 Resources

Nordic Semiconductor nRF9151 Module Specifications

LooUQ MTC.2 Interface Guide

 
Reference Design Templates

 LooUQ uses DipTrace for our product development and format for our template libraries, we also provide Eagle files for your use. 

LooUQ provides  development boards reference designs to make adding the MTC2-N9151 to your design seamless, just copy what you need. Both boards are available on our store ready to use, or leverage our design files to build your own. 

Both of the development boards below provide full access to the GPIO pins via standard headers, along with a SWD header (2x5, shrouded) for debugging/flashing. There is a RC-filtered reset circuit on both PCBs.

  • The UXplor board includes two power supplies (3.8v, 1.8v/3.3v jumper selectable, switch controlled) for the MTC2-N9151 sourced from the USB-C connector. The UXplor also includes a RGB LED (TI LP5817 controller) attached via I2C and integrated pull-ups; LooUQ provides a driver for the LED on out GitHub site. The UXplor is geared for software development and sensor prototyping, requiring only antennas to start work on your design. 

  • The Breakout board is the same excluding integrated power It is design for use of external bench power, enabling precise power/current measurement.

UXplor Development Board Files

Breakout Development Board Files

Interested in using the MTC2-N9151 in your design?