Thursday, 9 November 2023
Convergence can be applied throughout the IoT value chain, encompassing ‘Device’, ‘Network and Connectivity’, ‘Middleware’ and ‘Vertical applications’, depending on the business case.
Where does Convergence play and what is the role of Unabiz in Convergence?
Convergence can be applied throughout the IoT value chain, encompassing ‘Device’, ‘Network and Connectivity’, ‘Middleware’ and ‘Vertical applications’, depending on the business case and actors involved – applied when necessary to bring value to the customer.
Vertical Application Convergence
In this scenario, a unique vertical application platform gathers IoT data from different IoT technologies, such as Sigfox, Cellular, LoRaWAN, Satellite, WiFi, RFID and Bluetooth or others. It presents IoT data to the end-users in the most practical way. For example, UnaBiz distributes BOX ID for Logistics, a technology agnostic data management platform specializing in the logistics domain. Vertical Application Convergence is a rapidly developing trend in the IoT marketplace.
Network and Connectivity Convergence
On the one hand, Network Convergence, which involves radio gateways enabling multiple LPWAN’s (Low Power Wide Area Network technologies) is not a primary focus in the current IoT market. This is because, in many cases, it is more cost-effective to collocate ‘separate LPWAN’ gateways on the same towers. However, in the mid to long term, we foresee a change in market conditions and the emergence of hybrid gateways due to the growing demand of cost effective hybrid radio Networks.
On the other hand, Connectivity Convergence, which leverages roaming capabilities, is driven by multiple IoT service providers globally. Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNO) selling aggregated cellular connectivity are at the inception of Connectivity Convergence. UnaBiz partners with SORACOM to deliver cellular connectivity globally and plans to add LoRaWAN terrestrial and satellite connectivity soon. Furthermore, Unabiz is happy to offer Sigfox 0G connectivity Sigfox 0G network coverage to all LPWAN ecosystems.
UnaBiz is focused on promoting ‘‘Connectivity Convergence‘’ anticipating the next step of connecting multiple LPWAN Ecosystems.
Middleware Convergence
UnaBiz middleware platform aka UnaConnect middleware, empowers IoT customers to manage their fleets of IoT devices and ensure the secure storage of IoT data, regardless of the IoT connectivity technology being used, be it Sigfox, LoRaWAN Cellular, or Satellite.
The next step for Middleware Convergence would be to seamlessly interconnect LPWAN core Networks, e.g. Sigfox backend, LoRa Network Servers, Cellular 5G core, and potentially other IoT technologies like WiFi. It would rely on a ‘unified device identity’ scheme.
Device Convergence
Device Convergence is the most straightforward form of Convergence, enabling a single device to connect multiple LPWAN’s. Device and solution manufacturers have the opportunity to design and manufacture a single ‘SKU’ product (one single device ‘hardware and firmware’ enabling multiple LPWAN’s). This approach prevents investment risk in multiple SKU’s and opens up the access to a broader addressable IoT market.
Notably, the Sigfox 0G radio communication firmware is now open sourced: Sigfox 0G device open source library, making it implementable in most modules and chipsets available across the IoT marketplace.
Most recently, UnaBiz partnered with Semtech enabling Sigfox in LoRa Edge & LoRa Connect platform to accelerate LoRa and Sigfox hybrid mode chipset implementation (aka a single device talks Sigfox and LoRaWAN). This collaboration aims to industrialize the implementation of Sigfox 0G technology on LoRa Edge & LoRa Connect chipsets Sigfox on LRxx Semtech chipset.
This dual-mode scheme is also available on ST Microelectronics chipsets ST Micro Sigfox and LoRaWAN.
Moreover multiple module LSM1110A SJI and device Adeunis Sigfox & LoRaWAN Hybrid makers implement the hybrid mode.
Sigfox has also been massively deployed into an hybrid LTE-M/ Sigfox device solution in Japan for NICIGAS LTE M and Sigfox.
Let me summarize, how Convergence brings the highest value to customers:
- It is used when necessary. In many use cases, a single technology is a better approach.
- Convergence can be applied at any part of the IoT Value chain (device, network, connectivity, middleware and IoT applications)
- Convergence is primarely used to solve key IoT challenges: – Address more use cases -Expand Coverage & Network performance (SLA, reliability, reversibility, capacity) -Simplify integration of multiple Technologies – Optimize Total Cost of Ownership – Secure Device and Solution makers investment
Speak to UnaBiz to understand how you can be a part of this global movement!
Written by Rémi Lorrain, Vice President of Convergence at UnaBiz. This article was first published on LinkedIn Pulse.
