Wireless Communication
Wireless communication is about far more than choosing a radio technology. At Move we work with everything from NFC and Bluetooth to LoRaWAN and cellular networks. The right solution depends on where the product has to work, how far it has to reach, how much data has to be moved and how little power it may use.
Wireless communication
The right radio for the right application
We work with the most common wireless technologies for local communication, for communication across larger areas and for products that need to connect almost anywhere in the world. They include NFC, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, Thread, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and LTE.
From NFC to LTE
The common technologies under one roof
Application first
Not just the radio we usually use
Low power connectivity
Radio and power consumption considered together
Antenna and mechanics
Radio performance from the first layout
It has to start with the application
But the choice of wireless technology should never start with the question: “Which radio do we usually use?” It has to start with the application.
Does the product just need to communicate with a phone a few metres away? Do a hundred sensors need to communicate within a building? Does a battery-powered device need to send a few measurements from a field several kilometres away? Or does a product need to be able to send data straight to the cloud, wherever the customer installs it?
From a few centimetres to mesh networks
The different technologies solve very different tasks.
NFC can be the obvious choice for very short distances, for example identification, commissioning or configuration. Bluetooth, and Bluetooth Low Energy in particular, is strong for local communication with phones and other products. Zigbee and Thread can be used for networks of many devices, where mesh communication is relevant. Thread, for example, was developed as a low-power, IPv6-based mesh network for IoT devices.
Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN
Wi-Fi offers a high data rate and a direct IP connection, but places different demands on power and network infrastructure. LoRaWAN was developed to send relatively small amounts of data over long distances with low energy consumption, and can be particularly interesting for battery-powered sensors and distributed IoT systems.
Directly over the cellular network
If the product has to communicate directly over the cellular network, LTE, LTE-M or NB-IoT may be relevant. NB-IoT was developed specifically as a low-power wide-area technology, with a focus on low power consumption and improved coverage in places such as buildings and remote areas, among other things.
Connectivity and low power go hand in hand
In battery-powered products, the radio is often one of the biggest energy consumers. Modern MCUs and sensors can use extremely little power in sleep, while establishing a connection and transmitting data can cost a relatively large amount of energy. That is why connectivity and low power design have to be considered together.
Fewer, smarter transmissions
It is about how often the radio has to wake up, how long the connection takes to establish, how large the data packets are and whether information can be processed locally first, among other things. It can be far more energy-efficient to collect a hundred measurements locally and send one compressed result than to transmit every single measurement.
The antenna matters as much as the radio
Antenna choice and placement are at least as important as the radio technology itself. The antenna's performance is affected by the board layout, ground plane, enclosure, battery, metal parts, cables and the surroundings of the product. Even the user's hand can affect a small wireless device.
A poor antenna solution does not just mean shorter range. It can also mean higher power consumption, because the connection gets worse, packets have to be resent or the radio has to work at a higher transmit power. That is why we develop the PCB, antenna and mechanics in close collaboration and build radio performance into the product's design early.
Several technologies in one product
A product may also need several wireless technologies. Bluetooth can be used for local commissioning and service, for example, while LTE or LoRaWAN handles the normal connection to the backend. In other products, wireless connectivity can be designed modularly, so different radio modules can be fitted depending on the market or the customer.
Always a compromise
The right wireless design is therefore always a compromise between range, data rate, latency, power consumption, component cost, subscription, antenna conditions and available infrastructure.
A connection that works in the real world
At Move we see wireless communication as an integrated part of product development. Radio, antenna, electronics, embedded software, mechanics and cloud all have to work together. The goal is not just to make a connection in the laboratory. The goal is to create a connection that works reliably and energy-efficiently once the product is out in the real world.
Frequently asked questions
Which wireless technology should I choose?
It depends on range, data volume, latency, power consumption, coverage and where the product will be used, among other things. We often assess several technologies early, before the architecture is locked.
What is the difference between Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy?
Bluetooth Low Energy was developed with a focus on lower energy consumption, and is therefore often relevant for sensors, battery-powered products and communication with smartphones.
When is LoRaWAN relevant?
LoRaWAN is particularly interesting when small amounts of data have to be sent over long distances with low power consumption. It is used for distributed sensors and IoT systems, among other things.
When do NB-IoT or LTE make sense?
Cellular connectivity is relevant when the product has to communicate without depending on the customer's Wi-Fi or a local gateway. At the same time, it calls for consideration of coverage, subscriptions and power consumption.
How important is the antenna?
Very important. Antenna choice, placement, PCB layout and enclosure can have a major influence on range, connection stability and energy consumption.
Can a product use several wireless technologies?
Yes. It is common to combine technologies, for example Bluetooth for local configuration and LTE, NB-IoT or LoRaWAN for the normal connection out of the product.
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