Nordic cellular IoT connectivity powers wireless shipping label for real time global asset tracking and smart logistics operations

Wireless IoT device company, Minew, has released a cellular IoT-powered shipping label built on Nordic Semiconductor's nRF9160 low power SiP module. The 'MTB04 5G Shipping Label' is a durable and easy-to-deploy tracking solution for smart global logistics designed to provide near real time global visibility and condition insights for high value shipments, reducing potential loss, claims, and compliance risk.

The lightweight, IP67-rated 'peel-and-stick' shipping label can be effortlessly attached to any parcel, container or truck, and integrates an accelerometer, ambient light, and optional temperature sensor providing near real time feedback on any irregular force the parcel may have been subjected to, or if it has been exposed to light or fails to stay within defined temperature tolerances, for example.

Connectivity across the globe with nRF915

Intelligent network switching between LTE-M and NB-IoT provides reliable, uninterrupted connectivity across regions. To extend this global connectivity the next generation of the MTB04 5G Shipping Label will integrate Nordic's nRF9151 SiP module that will support 3GPP NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) technology in a future firmware release. This will provide the shipping label with uninterrupted global coverage anywhere on the planet as it will be able to roam from a ground network to NTN, in the same way roaming occurs on today's terrestrial networks.

The sensors are supervised by the nRF9160 module's 64 MHz Arm® Cortex®-M33 dedicated application processor, including 1 MB Flash and 256 KB RAM. The nRF9160's multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem and GNSS periodically relays the sensor data to the Cloud along with location updates.

"MTB04 has been designed for logistics companies and operators who need trustworthy, end-to-end visibility for valuable or sensitive goods," says Eason Huang, Product Director, Minew. "Fast deployment and real time updates matter to these companies, and Nordic's cellular IoT solution ensures seamless tracking and condition monitoring without extra deployment, offering simple and rapid setup that significantly reduces costs. This ensures reliable, out-of-the-box connectivity across regions and borders throughout the shipment journey."

Seamless tracking and condition monitoring

Target applications include pharmaceutical and broader cold-chain logistics, high-value industrial equipment and components, cross-border logistics providers needing global outdoor coverage, or long haul truck and container shipments. In fact any industry where compliance, chain-of-custody, and exception reporting are critical.

The MTBO4 5G Shipping Label is one-time use and powered by a 2500 mAh non-rechargeable battery that provides a generous four months of battery life with a default reporting period of every three hours. For shipments requiring only daily reporting, the battery can comfortably last for more than a year. This extended battery life is made possible in part by the low power characteristics of the Nordic module. For example, the nRF9160 supports eDRX to extend battery life by allowing the modem to enter a longer, low-power sleep mode between network interactions. When you are not using the radio but still attached to the network, the PSM floor current is 2.7 µA, not just for the modem but for the whole module.

"The nRF9160 was chosen for its ultra-low power consumption, highly integrated compact design, and multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT support," continues Huang. "These critical features enable the MTB04 smart shipping label to achieve years of battery life, reliable connectivity, and a small form factor.

"During development, the nRF Connect SDK was very helpful in the development of the application code. It provided ready-to-use drivers, libraries, and example projects that significantly reduced development time. This along with comprehensive documentation, reference designs, and development hardware-and responsive application engineers and a developer community-materially de-risked and improved the velocity of this launch."

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