Building reliable connectivity for devices that operate at the edge of cellular coverage or beyond it often comes down to how precisely the RF path is designed and validated. Engineers working on LTE M, NB IoT, DECT NR Plus or early satellite IoT platforms need development hardware that exposes the entire RF chain without the limitations of embedded antennas. Nordic Semiconductor’s new nRF9151 SMA Development Kit is built for that purpose. It pairs SMA antenna connectors with updated modem firmware that now supports 3GPP Release 17 NB IoT NTN, allowing teams to prototype terrestrial and satellite links on the same hardware.
RF Access For Accurate Testing And Validation
Many evaluation kits lean on integrated antennas, which simplify early application work but make RF characterisation difficult. The nRF9151 SMA DK takes the opposite approach. The internal antenna is removed and replaced with SMA connectors so engineers can attach test antennas or connect the board directly to lab equipment. This setup is valuable when characterising link budgets, antenna patterns or sensitivity in environments that involve RF shadowing or long range communication. It also helps teams isolate variables when developing devices for remote sites or dense indoor deployments where path loss can vary widely.
Firmware Support For Terrestrial And Satellite Links
The accompanying modem firmware extends the nRF9151 platform into satellite communication by adding NB IoT NTN support. With LTE M, NB IoT and GNSS already available, the module now covers a broad range of connectivity types that suit asset tracking, industrial monitoring and remote sensing applications. Having NTN available directly on the module avoids the need for external satellite modems during development, which can complicate prototyping and limit how much of the system can be evaluated on a single board. For engineers planning hybrid connectivity devices, this firmware update offers a path to assess how terrestrial and satellite channels behave under different operating conditions.
Hardware Layout Built For Flexibility
The DK arrives with matched antennas for LTE, NTN, NR Plus and GNSS, along with IoT SIM cards and trial data from several network providers. This allows teams to move quickly from evaluation to field trials without assembling multiple kits. The SMA layout also enables straightforward power and sensitivity measurements, which are often essential when optimising link performance for DECT NR Plus or verifying satellite reception in non ideal antenna placements. The board’s design aligns with Nordic’s unified nRF Connect SDK workflow, easing integration with existing development projects and shortening the learning curve for teams already familiar with earlier nRF91 Series hardware.
Positioning For Next Generation Connectivity Designs
Satellite IoT and DECT NR Plus bring new demands in terms of link budget and noise tolerance. Devices operating on the edge of coverage need RF paths that can be tuned, validated and measured with fine control. The nRF9151 SMA DK offers a way to explore those limits with a platform that is compatible with real antennas, lab grade equipment and Nordic’s software ecosystem. As direct to satellite IoT becomes more accessible and hybrid connectivity expands into industrial and agricultural deployments, access to accurate RF testing on a development kit becomes a meaningful advantage. The combination of SMA based hardware and NTN capable firmware positions the nRF9151 platform as a practical starting point for engineers pushing into these emerging connectivity domains.
Learn more and read the original announcement at www.nordicsemi.com
You may also like
