Leading the Future of Low-Power IoT: A Conversation with Semtech and Sony Altair on the New HL7900 Module

As the world continues to embrace the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for low-power, high-efficiency solutions grows exponentially. At the forefront of this technological evolution stand two industry experts: Sony Altair and Semtech. Their latest innovation, the Semtech HL7900 module—a global 5G LPWA module featuring the Sony ALT1350 chipset—promises to revolutionize the IoT landscape by providing ultra-low power, future-ready connectivity. 

As the world continues to embrace the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for low-power, high-efficiency solutions grows exponentially. At the forefront of this technological evolution stand two industry experts: Sony Altair and Semtech. Their latest innovation, the Semtech HL7900 module—a global 5G LPWA module featuring the Sony ALT1350 chipset—promises to revolutionize the IoT landscape by providing ultra-low power, future-ready connectivity. 

In this blog, we discuss with key leaders from Semtech(Semtech: formerly Sierra Wireless) and Sony Altair to explore how this cutting-edge module is poised to shape the future of IoT, unlocking new possibilities for smart cities, metering, asset tracking and beyond. 
 

Hi Guy and Michael, let’s start with the vision behind the development of the new HL7900/ALT1350. What are the most critical needs and challenges faced by organizations when developing a successful cellular IoT device? 

Michael: One major challenge is achieving low power consumption and extended battery life, which are essential for devices expected to last up to 20 years in the field. Customers often find it challenging to design a product that maintains low power consumption and long battery life across varying environments and network conditions. Another critical aspect is the complexity of deployments.  Wireless IoT is complex, and seamless integration isn't always straightforward. Improving customer experience through clear documentation, intuitive software, user-friendly APIs, and robust development boards is crucial. 

Guy: IoT use cases also increasingly demand higher levels of integration—combining multiple functionalities into single hardware or chipset solutions. This approach simplifies the overall solution and reduces the cost of end-to-end implementation. However, it's equally important to keep APIs and interfaces simple and straightforward. Clear and concise documentation is essential to ensure ease of use when developing and deploying these devices in real-world applications. 

How do the new Sony ALT1350 chipset and Semtech HL7900 module help solve these challenges? 

Guy: From a chipset perspective, the ALT1350 significantly outperforms previous generations. Battery-operated devices can now achieve up to 4 times longer battery life for typical use cases. Additionally, the ALT1350 offers a high level of integration to meet the simplification need we’ve talked earlier. It integrates more functions, such as location capabilities and additional short-range radio, which enhance connectivity and enable more use cases. It can for example create mesh networks, connecting devices in areas with weak cellular signals. This is particularly needed for smart cities and tracking applications. The key advantage is that customers can use a single platform to adapt in real-time their topology and connectivity needs. 

Michael: In addition to the features Guy mentioned, the HL7900 module includes an ultra-low power sensor hub MCU. This innovation monitors systems for specific conditions with minimal power use and activates the system only when necessary to send data or make decisions. For example, in asset tracking applications, the accelerometer or temperature sensors are monitored while everything else remains in sleep mode. The radio only turns on and sends data when the temperature or accelerometer data exceeds a certain threshold. This feature is crucial for achieving the low power requirements essential for many IoT designs. 

Guy: Exactly. We invested heavily in this new subsystem, and we're delighted that Semtech can utilize it for end-to-end solutions. This capability further enhances low power consumption and extends battery life for battery-operated products. 

You talked about longevity as being a key need for low-power IoT devices. How future-proof is the HL7900/ALT1350 solution? What is the expected lifespan of 5G LTE-M/NB-IoT technologies? 

Michael: Longevity is one of the most critical concerns for many of our customers, especially those involved in critical infrastructure, smart metering, and smart cities. They need solutions that will last in the field for up to 20 years without frequent replacements. Over the past few years, they've seen considerable changes in wireless standards and technologies from operators, including the shutdown of 2G and 3G networks. This raises concerns about the future of 4G and LTE. To address this, Sony and Semtech have implemented several key features in the HL7900/ALT1350 solution. One crucial aspect is the ability to upgrade software over-the-air (FOTA). This allows us to easily and remotely deploy necessary updates through our AirVantage® platform as technologies evolve over time. 

Secondly, LTE-M is designed as a low-power wide-area (LPWA) technology compatible with 5G. It's a 5G technology itself and aligns with new 3GPP releases that network operators will roll out, ensuring compatibility between Cat-M and 5G networks. Currently, there is no replacement for Cat-M in the standards, making it likely that LTE-M will continue to be supported by network operators for many years.  
Guy: Absolutely. Longevity is crucial for many IoT applications, particularly in infrastructure. For higher LTE categories, we see enhancements like eMBB in the 5G space and eventual replacements like RedCap for Cat-1 to Cat-4. However, for Cat-M and NB-IoT, there is no technology replacement within the 5G domain. These technologies are already part of the 5G ecosystem and are expected to remain in use for at least the next 15 to 20 years, as long as 5G is deployed. 

Considering that some of these devices are deployed in critical infrastructure, how have you addressed security in the design of the HL7900 module? 

Guy: One key advantage of the close collaboration between Sony, Sierra and now Semtech, is the combined expertise and investment in security. We engage in open discussions to ensure our end-to-end solution is secure by design. This includes features like secure boot and FOTA (Firmware Over-The-Air). Our silicon also incorporates isolated secure elements, which are physically disconnected from other system parts, providing an extra layer of security for various applications. This dual-directional input ensures a robust security foundation for our products. 

Michael: Absolutely, security is a combination of the chipset, module and integration. We support essential security features such as secure boot, ensuring that only official software is executed on the module. We also support secure networking protocols like DTLS and TLS to protect data during transmission, with authentication and encryption. Customers can securely load their keys onto the module to further protect connections. Additionally, we provide tools to check for vulnerabilities and disable unsecure interfaces like JTAG to keep devices safe in the field. 

There’s a general agreement that a large number of IoT projects fail. How can Semtech simplify the path to success for their customers? 

Michael: The hardware is just one piece of an overall IoT project. The real challenge lies in getting data from the edge to the cloud, ensuring it's secure, and integrating it into backend systems. This is where Semtech can significantly help. We offer complete end-to-end solutions, providing the necessary connectivity so customers don't need to negotiate separately with network operators. Our embedded SIMs eliminate the need to manage physical SIM cards. Our edge-to-cloud solution ensures secure data transmission to the cloud and backend systems. Additionally, our FOTA service supports secure over-the-air updates from the cloud. By providing all these components together, we enable customers to successfully bring their products to market. 

Guy: I completely agree. It's crucial for us to rely on partners like Semtech to leverage the advantages we've designed into our solutions. Providing an end-to-end solution simplifies the integration process for users, ensuring high-quality and scalable solutions. This collaboration aims to enhance and streamline the implementation process, making it easier for customers to achieve success with their IoT projects. 

This is not the first collaboration between Semtech and Sony Altair. What do you consider the key factors contributing to the success of this partnership, especially in low-power deployments? 

Michael: Our partnership, began a decade ago with the Sony ALT1250 inside the HL78 modules, a best-in-class LPWA module family with exceptionally low power consumption. This innovation enabled new use cases for cellular technology that were previously unfeasible due to battery constraints. Our partnership has continued to thrive, supporting millions of deployments in the field that meet long battery life and low power requirements. Together, we've created robust solutions designed to last many years. 

Guy: Absolutely. The strength of our collaboration lies in our complementary expertise. Semtech brings extensive experience in wireless communication, while Sony provides innovative chipset technology. Working together, we create exceptional products that neither could achieve alone. Additionally, we share a unified vision and goal to advance IoT capabilities with cutting-edge solutions. This shared vision has driven our successful partnership and continues to address market needs effectively. 

Well thank you for this insightful discussion. One last question for you, where can we learn more about the HL7900 module and get in touch with your teams for further information? 

Michael: You can find more information on the HL7900 module on our webpage. 

You can also contact our IoT experts who are available to help you get started. 
 
Finally you might also be interested in our webinar, "Top 5 Factors for Choosing the Right Connectivity Technologies," where industry experts share valuable insights on selecting the ideal IoT technology for long-term success.