The Wio LTE is a versatile IoT development board designed to simplify the integration of LTE (4G) cellular connectivity, GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) positioning, and other IoT functionalities into projects. Here’s a comprehensive overview:
Overview
- LTE Connectivity: The Wio LTE US version supports LTE Cat.1, which provides a balance between speed, cost, and power efficiency. LTE Cat.1 offers up to 10 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload speeds, suitable for many IoT applications.
- GNSS: Equipped with a GNSS module for accurate location tracking, this feature is beneficial for applications requiring geolocation.
- Microcontroller: Utilizes the nRF52840 SoC (System on Chip), which is known for its Bluetooth 5.0, energy efficiency, and robust processing capabilities.
Key Features
- Cellular Communication:
- 4G LTE Cat.1: Provides high-speed cellular data connection, allowing for real-time data transmission.
- SIM Card Slot: Accepts standard SIM cards for cellular connectivity.
- GNSS:
- GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo: Supports multiple satellite systems for enhanced location accuracy.
- IoT Capabilities:
- Grove System: Features multiple Grove connectors for easy integration with sensors, actuators, and other Grove compatible modules.
- I2C, UART, SPI: Offers various communication interfaces for connecting with different peripherals.
- Power Management:
- Battery Management: Designed with low power consumption in mind, making it suitable for battery-powered applications.
- Programming:
- Arduino IDE: Compatible with Arduino IDE for straightforward programming.
- MicroPython: Can also be programmed using MicroPython.
- Display:
- OLED Display: A small OLED screen for displaying status information, sensor readings, or GPS coordinates.
Applications
- Asset Tracking: Ideal for tracking valuable assets in real-time, leveraging its GNSS and LTE capabilities.
- Remote Monitoring: Suitable for remote monitoring of environmental conditions, equipment status, or security systems.
- IoT Gateways: Can act as a gateway for collecting data from other sensors or devices and transmitting it over cellular networks.
- Smart Agriculture: Used for precision agriculture, monitoring crop conditions, soil moisture, or livestock tracking.
- Vehicle Telematics: Enhances vehicle tracking and fleet management with real-time location data and communication.
Benefits
- Wide Coverage: LTE connectivity ensures broad coverage, allowing devices to communicate from virtually anywhere within the cellular network range.
- Ease of Use: The Grove system simplifies sensor integration, reducing the need for soldering and complex wiring.
- Flexibility: Supports both Arduino and MicroPython, catering to a wide range of developers.
- Cost-Effective: LTE Cat.1 provides a good balance between speed and cost, making it a budget-friendly option for many IoT applications.
Usage and Development
- Hardware Setup:
- Insert a SIM card compatible with your LTE carrier.
- Connect power (can be USB or battery).
- Attach any necessary sensors or peripherals via Grove connectors.
- Software Development:
- Install the necessary libraries for the Wio LTE in your Arduino IDE or set up MicroPython environment.
- Write code to handle cellular communication, GNSS tracking, and sensor data processing.
- Deployment:
- Deploy the device in the field or integrate it into your project, ensuring proper power supply and antenna positioning for optimal signal reception.
- Data Management:
- Set up a backend server or use cloud services to receive, process, and store data from your Wio LTE device.
Wio Tracker (Wireless Input Output) is an open source gateway which enable faster IoT GPS solutions. It is Arduino and Grove compatible development boards that helps you track nearly any moving thing on the planet and then upload that data wirelessly. The Wio LTE is the LTE version of Wio Tracker, so now we’ve got 2 versions of Wio Tracker and the LTE (4G) version will make some differences.
There are three main updates comparing the Wio LTE to the 2G version. Firstly, from its name we know that the Wio LTE supports LTE (4G) communication which is much faster and popular than 2G. Secondly, the Wio LTE supports in total 4 different GNSS – GPS, Beidou, GLONSS and Galileo, the QZSS is also supported as bonus. With more GNSS support, positioning will be more accurate. Thirdly, the Wio LTE‘s MCU is upgraded to STM32F405RG, which is based on Cortex-M4, makes the Wio LTE 5 times faster than the 2G version. What’s more, the flash and RAM have also been raised to 1Mbytes and 192+4k bytes.
Apart from the three main updates, the LTE version is almost the same as the 2G version. If your project is using the 2G version, it would be very easy to update to the LTE version because we have prepared transplantable and expansible AT command library. The Arduino and Grove compatibility allows for quicker development through numerous libraries and a supportive community. The GPS library which will be available with the board is not just limited to Arduino – it can function just as well if you chose to develop in C/C++. With the onboard 6 Grove connections, developers can create any combination of our 180+ sensors and actuators to build project and solve any problem. Simplifying the prototyping and development phase is our goal.
The Wio LTE is well suited for outdoor projects where the device can connect to the GPS satellites and provide a real-time location of the item it is attached to. The LTE provides a wide bandwidth which allows much faster interaction between the user and device. If you are going to build projects like a bicycle sharing service, tracking pets or livestock, locating a vehicle, or even keeping track of a child, the Wio LTE is the best solution.
Note:
- The suggest power supply for Wio LTE products is 5V/2A; The board may not be able to power up when the current is below 1A.
- Please always plug a 3.7V Lipo battery in case USB power supply is not sufficient.
- When the signal is not good, there will be noise while calling.
- We have developed 4 different versions of Wio LTE for different regions. This is the Wio LTE US version, except this version, the others also support GNSS, below table shows the difference between each version. For more detail information, please refer to this manual.
Features
- Low-cost, low-power LTE connectivity optimized for broad- band IoT applications
- Worldwide LTE and UMTS/HSPA+
- Embedded power management unit (PMU) featuring ultra-low deep-sleep current consumption
- GPS/BeiDou/GLONASS/Galileo and QZSS
- Transplantable and expansible AT Command Library for Wio Tracker
- Arduino IDE compatible
- 6 Grove Connectors
- Nano SIM and TF card 2 in 1 socket
Documents
Wio LTE US Version V1.1 Schematic
ECCN/HTS
| HSCODE | 8517180050 |
| USHSCODE | 8543708800 |
| UPC | 841454120087 |
| EUHSCODE | 8543709099 |
| COO | CHINA |
Technical Details
Technical details
| Dimensions | 54.7mm x48.2mm x0mm |
| Weight | G.W 101g |
| Battery | Lithium Cells/Batteries packed with equipment UN3481 -PI966 |
Conclusion
The Wio LTE US Version with 4G Cat.1 and GNSS capabilities provides an accessible platform for developers looking to add cellular connectivity and precise location tracking to their IoT projects. Its combination of LTE, GNSS, and an easy-to-use development environment makes it suitable for a wide array of applications, from simple tracking solutions to complex IoT systems requiring real-time data transmission.