A Dual-Mode NB-IoT and EC-GSM RF-SoC Achieving −128-dBm Extended-Coverage and Supporting OTDOA and A-GPS Positioning

An RF SoC is presented that supports both narrowband cellular IoT standards. For LTE NB-IoT the measured sensitivity is −127.8dBm in EC mode, −116dBm w/o repetitions. For EC-GSM it is −128.9dBm in EC and −111.3dBm in legacy modes. Current consumption is 44mA per cell attach and 3uA during deep sleep. A-GPS and OTDOA are supported for positioning, as are DCXO and sawless Rx and Tx, which help pare part count and PCB footprint for typical IoT modules.