Intel has unveiled a new 3G modem which could be the world's smallest, as it is not much bigger than a U.K. penny or a U.S. one-cent coin.
The company are calling it the world's smallest, as the XMM 6255 has an area of about 300 square millimetres, and is built to protect against overheating and to withstand tough conditions, as well as featuring an embedded power supply.
Prior to the third-generation, Bluetooth low-energy links and WiFi were known for low power consumption and high bandwidth, which is why equipment manufacturers first relied on them for IoT applications. With Intel’s new chip, the 3G modem will support both 2G and 3G connections and provide higher bandwidth and consume lower power than WiFi and Bluetooth. The modem will support a downlink speed of up to 7.2 Mbits/second.
For higher output in a conventional modem, two antennas are needed to receive data, which raises the cost and complication. With the new modem, the chip will use only one antenna and the approach will amplify throughput and network capacity by reducing signal loss.
The new modems make Intel the only equipment manufacturer to be successful in multiple connectivity arrangements at a miniature size. Even though WiFi has a higher data rate and bandwidth, it is limited to a certain distance. 3G will enable connections to a wider spectrum, and possibly within different regions of the world. Intel has made the best use of available technology to tap into a market to serve a nascent demand for better connectivity between Internet of Things applications.
Sergis Mushell, a research director at analytics company Gartner, says, "It's not just about the size of it. What Intel is really doing is going after a significant stake in the Internet of Things market, where connectivity is most important. Getting connectivity right is essential for their entire product portfolio."
