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Nordic Thingy:91 X Cellular IoT prototyping platform

Multi-sensor cellular IoT prototyping platform

The Nordic Thingy:91 X is a versatile prototyping platform designed for the development of cellular IoT applications. It is built around the nRF9151 System-in-Package (SiP) which supports LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS, and NR+, making it suitable for global use. This platform is particularly ideal for asset-tracking applications due to its capability to utilize multiple location tracking methods including cellular, Wi-Fi, and GNSS in conjunction with nRF Cloud Location Services. The device is also equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors that monitor environmental conditions and movement, enhancing its utility in various IoT applications.

To facilitate development and customization, the Nordic Thingy:91 X includes expansion options through a debug board connector and an expansion board connector compatible with Qwiic, STEMMA QT, and Grove systems. User interaction is enabled via two programmable buttons and visual feedback is provided through RGB LEDs. Connectivity features include a USB interface powered by the nRF5340 System-on-Chip (SoC), which also supports Bluetooth Low Energy (LE) for specific use cases. Additionally, the nRF7002 Wi-Fi companion IC enhances Wi-Fi location capabilities, complementing the robust connectivity options provided by the dual antennas for LTE and GNSS.

The device is designed to be immediately operational with minimal setup, as it comes bundled with SIM cards from Onomondo and Wireless Logic, preloaded with data. This allows for an easy connection to the nRF Cloud right out of the box. Power management is efficiently handled by the nPM6001 and nPM1300 PMICs, with the latter also providing battery charging and fuel gauging functionalities. The included 1350 mAh Li-Po battery supports extended field testing, making the transition from prototype to field deployment smoother.

The Nordic Thingy:91 X utilizes nRF Cloud, an IoT-optimized cloud service that integrates seamlessly with the device. It supports nRF Cloud Location Services, which offer efficient location data computation. The device’s firmware, developed using the nRF Connect SDK, is open source and can be customized to meet specific needs. It facilitates secure data transmission from Thingy:91 X to nRF Cloud, where it can be accessed through a user-friendly interface.

The nRF Connect SDK provides a comprehensive toolkit for developers working with Nordic Semiconductor devices. It includes the Zephyr RTOS, various samples, networking protocols, libraries, and hardware drivers, all essential for cellular IoT development. This SDK is crucial for leveraging the full capabilities of the Nordic Thingy:91 X in developing cutting-edge IoT solutions.

Download PDFNordic Thingy:91 X product brief [PDF] 

 

Key features
  • Battery-operated prototyping platform for the nRF9151 SiP
  • Certifications: FCC (USA), CE (EUR)
  • LTE-M/NB-IoT/NR+, GNSS and Bluetooth/Wi-Fi antennas
  • Wi-Fi locationing enabled by nRF7002 Wi-Fi 6 companion IC
  • User-programmable buttons and LEDs
  • Environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, air quality, and air pressure
  • Magnetometer and low-power 3 axis accelerometer
  • 6-axis IMU with gyroscope
  • Rechargeable Li-Po battery with 1350 mAh capacity
  • nPM1300 PMIC for battery charging and fuel gauging
  • Board controller: nRF5340 for connectivity between USB interface and nRF9151
    • Bundled with SIM cards from Onomondo and Wireless Logic preloaded with free data

Precompiled application and modem firmware

Selected version
thingy91x_mfw-2.0.2_sdk-2.9.0-preview [Latest version]

Changelog:

thingy91x_mfw-2.0.2_sdk-2.9.0-preview [Latest version]

First release for Thingy:91 X

Changelog:

  • Includes FW from nRF Connect SDK 2.9.0-preview
  • Includes Modem Firmware v2.0.2

The following samples and applications are part of the package:

 

 

Hardware files

Selected version
1.0.0

Changelog:

1.0.0

  • First release for Thingy:91 X (PCA20065)

Feature Brief

for the nRF91x1 SiP modem firmware

nRF91x1 SiP LTE firmware - what it is and how it works

The nRF91x1 SiP LTE firmware is provided as pre-compiled binaries, signed and encrypted by Nordic Semiconductor.

  • Details

    • Pre-compiled binary, signed and encrypted
    • LTE Rel-14 Cat-M1 (LTE-M/eMTC)
    • LTE Rel-14 Cat-NB1/2 (NB-IoT)
    • Type B half duplex (HD), frequency division duplex (FDD)
    • Cat-M1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 66
      and 85.
    • Cat-NB1 operation is enabled on E-UTRA Bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 65, 66
      and 85.
    • Power saving
      • Power Save Mode (PSM)
      • Idle-DRX and Connected Mode-DRX, DRX/extended-DRX in both
      • Independent clock and sleep state control
      • Support for 3GPP CP-RAI and AS-RAI (Release Assistance Indication)
      • Support for MAC Inactivity Monitoring
      • Support for NIDD (Non-IP Data Delivery)
      • First LTE search optimizations
      • Modem Sleep notifications
      • Pre-evaluation of a connection
      • LTE based positioning
    • Interface to Application CPU
      • AT-command Interface for control
      • Socket Interface for Data
      • Modem production test support
      • Antenna Tuner per band Configurability with limited MIPI-RFFE support
    • Integrated TLS(1.2)/DTLS(1.2) and TCP/UDP/IPV4/IPV6 Dual Stack
      • Storage of TLS and Cloud credentials
    • SMS PDU Mode
    • Differential FOTA support enables small upgrade images
    • Support for SIM ATK and remote provisioning via Bearer Independent Protocol
      • eSIM support
    • GPS L1 C/A  and QZSS L1C/A positioning
    • GPS L1 C/A and QZSS L1C/A receiver during LTE PSM and Idle DRX/extended-DRX modes
    • GPS time based configurable IO-pin / pulse
    • Single shot, fixed interval and continuous tracking modes
  • TLS Cipher suites

    • mbed TLS Name / NIST Name
      Value
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA384
      {0xC0,0x24}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA  
      {0xC0,0x0A}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-256-GCM-SHA384 {0xC0,0x2C}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256
      {0xC0,0x23}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA 
      {0xC0,0x09}
      TLS-ECDHE-ECDSA-WITH-AES-128-GCM-SHA256 {0xC0,0x2B}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA        
      {0xC0,0x14}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256   
      {0xC0,0x27}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA      
      {0xC0,0x13}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-128-GCM-SHA256
      {0xC0,0x2F}
      TLS-ECDHE-RSA-WITH-AES-256-GCM-SHA384  {0xC0,0x30}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-256-CBC-SHA     
      {0x00,0x8D}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA256  
      {0x00,0xAE}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CBC-SHA
      {0x00,0x8C}
      TLS-PSK-WITH-AES-128-CCM-8
      {0xC0,0xA8}
      TLS-EMPTY-RENEGOTIATIONINFO-SCSV {0x00,0xFF}

nRF91x1 SiP LTE firmware 

Programming app available in nRF Connect for Desktop

Selected version
2.0.2 nRF91 firmware binaries

Changelog:

2.0.2 nRF91 firmware binaries

This release support nRF9131 LACA A0, nRF9151 LACA A0, and nRF9161 LACA A0 SiP.

This release does not support nRF9160 SiP.

Highlights: 

General

  • Maintenance release with corrections for service reliability and new features.

Cellular IoT

  • Delayed IPv6 updates until after PSM sleep for improved power efficiency.
  • Lets applications select specific permitted networks, offering greater connectivity control.
  • Notifies when (Release Assistance Indicator) RAI options are available during cellular connections.
  • Enables device power class (power class 5 or 3) adjustments with a locking option.
  • Added support for a new cipher suite to enhance security.
  • Introduces SIM card power-saving options to minimize power usage.
  • Option to deactivate the SIM card when no network is detected, saving power, and reducing unnecessary searches.

Location services / GNSS

  • Reduces position outliers, especially in weak signal conditions, for more accurate location data.

 

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

This release is aligned with v1.2 of the nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference Guide.

Some of the new features requires support also from the nRF Connect SDK.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect for Desktop and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

 

2.0.1 nRF91 firmware binaries

This release support nRF9131 LACA A0, nRF9151 LACA A0, and nRF9161 LACA A0 SiP.

This release does not support nRF9160 SiP.

Highlights: 

General

  • Added support for the nRF9151 LACA A0 SiP module.
  • Added support for IMEI read, write, and test operations through nRF Util development tool.

Cellular IoT

  • Introduced support for power class 5, enabling a 20dBm TX transmitter mode with nRF9151.
  • Socket option for power optimized way to resume data transmission after PDN disconnect and connect procedures. 
    • This feature is particularly useful for DTLS + CID and UDP connections.
  • Enhanced network selection optimization during initial search.

Location services / GNSS

  • Improved fix accuracy and availability in periodic fixes when the fix period is 60s or less.
  • Updated speed and altitude operational envelope limits for dynamics modes to further reduce possible GNSS outliers.
  • Updated QZSS health data handling to match IS-QZSS-PNT-005.
  • Addressed modem instability when GNSS 1PPS functionality was turned on/off repeatedly.

 

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

This release is aligned with v1.1 of the nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference Guide.

Some of the new features requires support also from the nRF Connect SDK.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect for Desktop and nRF Connect Programmer tools.

 

2.0.0 nRF91 firmware binaries

This release support nRF9131 LACA A0 and nRF9161 LACA A0 SiPs, not nRF9160 SiP.

Highlights: 

Cellular IoT

  • Improved network selection when using MVNO subscriptions, leading to efficient power utilization.
  • Power consumption enhancements and quick recovery from unexpected network registration issues, ensuring seamless communication.
  • Improvements for application-driven monitoring of data transmission over the air interface, providing better insights and control.
  • Improved reliability and increased data throughput for an optimized user experience.
  • Enhanced modem error recovery mechanisms and reduced current consumption in error situations.
  • Added support for limited %XRFTEST RX tests.

Location services / GNSS

  • GNSS position outlier reduction, particularly in weak signal conditions, for more accurate location information.
  • GNSS TTFF and sensitivity performance improvements, ensuring quicker and more reliable position fixes.
  • Optimized GNSS duty cycle for reduced power consumption, extending battery life.

A complete list of new functionality, changes and bug fixes is in the release notes found here or inside the .zip file.

This release is aligned with v1.0 of the nRF91x1 Cellular AT Commands Reference Guide.

Some of the new features requires support also from the nRF Connect SDK.

It is recommended to use the latest version of nRF Connect for Desktop and nRF Connect Programmer tools.