The Arduino MKR NB 1500 is part of Arduino’s MKR series, focusing on providing IoT (Internet of Things) solutions with an emphasis on narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) connectivity. Here’s an overview of its key features and capabilities:
- Microcontroller: It uses the SAMD21 Cortex®-M0+ 32-bit low power ARM MCU, known for its energy efficiency and processing power suitable for IoT applications.
- Memory:
- Flash Memory: 256 KB (for the SAMD21)
- SRAM: 32 KB
- Operating Voltage: 3.3V
- Input Voltage (recommended): 5-12V
- Digital I/O Pins: 8 (of which 4 provide PWM output)
- Analog Input Pins: 7 (12-bit ADC)
- DC Current per I/O Pin: 7 mA
- Clock Speed: 48 MHz
Features
- NB-IoT Connectivity:
- NB-IoT Module: Equipped with a u-blox SARA-N211 module, which provides:
- Narrowband IoT: Allows for long-range communication with low power consumption, making it suitable for IoT devices in remote locations or where Wi-Fi or other connectivity options are not available or practical.
- Global Coverage: Compatible with NB-IoT networks around the world, offering flexibility for international IoT deployments.
- NB-IoT Module: Equipped with a u-blox SARA-N211 module, which provides:
- USB Interface: Features a micro USB port for programming, power supply, and USB communication.
- Power:
- LiPo Battery Charging: Includes a built-in charger for a single cell lithium polymer (LiPo) battery, supporting battery-powered IoT devices.
- Battery Connector: Has a JST connector for connecting a LiPo battery.
- Programming: Compatible with the Arduino IDE, allowing for straightforward development using Arduino’s ecosystem.
- OTA (Over-the-Air) Programming: Supports firmware updates over the NB-IoT network, which is highly convenient for updating IoT devices remotely.
- Secure Communication: Offers hardware encryption for secure data transmission over cellular networks.
Unique Capabilities:
- Narrowband IoT: Designed for long-range communication with low data rates, making it ideal for applications where low power consumption and long battery life are critical.
- Battery Management: The built-in LiPo charging capabilities and the power-efficient design make it suitable for long-term, battery-powered IoT deployments.
- Global Connectivity: With NB-IoT, the MKR NB 1500 can connect to various NB-IoT networks worldwide, facilitating international IoT projects.
- Low Power Consumption: Optimized for energy efficiency, enabling IoT devices to run for extended periods on battery power.
Use Cases:
- Smart Agriculture: Monitor soil moisture, weather conditions, or livestock in remote fields where traditional connectivity might be unavailable.
- Environmental Monitoring: Collect data on air quality, water levels, or wildlife monitoring where NB-IoT’s long range and low power consumption are beneficial.
- Asset Tracking: Track vehicles, shipping containers, or other assets over long distances with minimal power usage.
- Smart Cities: For applications like street lighting control, waste management, or parking lot monitoring.
- Energy Management: Monitor energy consumption in remote locations or control energy distribution in smart grid applications.
- Industrial IoT: For condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, or remote machine control in industrial settings.
- Remote Control and Monitoring: Ideal for controlling or monitoring devices in areas with limited connectivity options.
The Arduino MKR NB 1500 provides developers with a compact, versatile, and power-efficient platform for IoT projects that require NB-IoT connectivity. It’s an excellent choice for applications where long-range communication, low power usage, and global network compatibility are essential.
Tech specs
The Arduino MKR NB 1500 is based on the SAMD21 microcontroller.
| Microcontroller | SAMD21 Cortex®-M0+ 32bit low power ARM MCU (datasheet) |
| Radio module | u-blox SARA-R410M-02B (datasheet / summary) |
| Secure Element | ATECC508 (datasheet) |
| Board Power Supply (USB/VIN) | 5V |
| Supported Battery | Li-Po Single Cell, 3.7V, 1500mAh Minimum |
| Circuit Operating Voltage | 3.3V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 8 |
| PWM Pins | 13 (0 .. 8, 10, 12, 18 / A3, 19 / A4) |
| UART | 1 |
| SPI | 1 |
| I2C | 1 |
| Analog Input Pins | 7 (ADC 8/10/12 bit) |
| Analog Output Pins | 1 (DAC 10 bit) |
| External Interrupts | 8 (0, 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 16 / A1, 17 / A2) |
| DC Current per I/O Pin | 7 mA |
| Flash Memory | 256 KB (internal) |
| SRAM | 32 KB |
| EEPROM | no |
| Clock Speed | 32.768 kHz (RTC), 48 MHz |
| LED_BUILTIN | 6 |
| Full-Speed USB Device and embedded Host | |
| Antenna gain | 2dB (bundled antenna at the Arduino Store) |
| Carrier frequency | LTE bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28 |
| Power class (radio) | LTE Cat M1 / NB1: Class 3 (23 dBm) |
| Data Rate (LTE M1 Half-Duplex) | UL 375 kbps / DL 300 kbps |
| Data Rate (LTE NB1 Full-Duplex) | UL 62.5 kbps / DL 27.2 kbps |
| Working region | Multiregion |
| Device Location | GNSS via modem |
| Power Consumption (LTE M1) | min 100 mA / max 190 mA |
| Power Consumption (LTE NB1) | min 60 mA / max 140 mA |
| SIM Card | MicroSIM (not included with the board) |
| Length | 67.64 mm |
| Width | 25 mm |
| Weight | 32 gr. |