Arduino MKR NB 1500 | NB-IoT & LTE-M Connectivity

Arduino MKR NB 1500 | NB-IoT & LTE-M Connectivity

Product Overview

The Arduino MKR NB 1500 from Pro Tronix is a high-performance board engineered for the “Internet of Things” in extreme or remote locations. Unlike WiFi or Bluetooth, which have limited range, this board uses existing cellular LTE networks to transmit data over vast distances while consuming very little power.

Equipped with the u-blox SARA-R410M-02B module, it supports both NB-IoT and LTE-M (Cat M1) standards. This makes it ideal for devices that only need to send small amounts of data occasionally (like soil moisture levels or asset locations) but need to survive on a battery for months or even years. Like other MKR boards, it includes the ATECC508 crypto-chip to ensure your cellular data remains encrypted and secure.

Technical Specifications

Key Features

• Ultra-Low Power Cellular: Specifically designed for battery-operated devices in remote locations where power and internet are unavailable.

• Global Compatibility: Supports a wide range of LTE bands, making it suitable for use across different regions and cellular carriers.

• Hybrid Connectivity: Supports both NB-IoT (for maximum efficiency) and LTE-M (for slightly higher data rates and mobility).

• Secure by Design: Features a dedicated hardware secure element to manage encryption and secure cloud connections.

• Integrated Battery Charger: Automatically manages the charging and switching of an external 3.7V Li-Po battery.

Common Applications

• Smart Agriculture: Monitoring crop conditions and soil health in vast, remote fields.

• Remote Asset Tracking: Logistics and fleet management where GPS data is sent over cellular networks.

• Smart Metering: Remote reading of water, gas, or electricity meters in residential or industrial areas.

• Environmental Monitoring: High-precision sensors deployed in forests or coastal areas for climate tracking.

💡 Important Note: This board requires a Micro-SIM card with an active NB-IoT or LTE-M data plan. You will also need an external antenna connected to the u.FL port to establish a network connection.