CTIA Certification Unveils Sony's ALT1350 as First PTCRB Certified IoT Chipset
In a landmark development for the Internet of Things (IoT) landscape, the CTIA Certification has officially launched the first PTCRB-certified IoT chipset, Sony's Altair ALT1350. This innovative chipset comes as part of the expanding certification offerings from CTIA, aiming to simplify the testing and certification processes for a variety of cellular-enabled IoT devices. According to Tom Sawanobori, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at CTIA, the additional certification categories for NB-IoT and LTE-M chipsets pave a new pathway for devices in this rapidly evolving market. The Altair ALT1350 is Sony Semiconductor Israel's third-generation cellular IoT system-on-chip (SoC), designed specifically for the 5G massive IoT market.
This chipset represents a leap in technology as it offers an ultra-low power solution that integrates LTE-M/NB-IoT, unlicensed spectrum communications, and even satellite connectivity—all within a single chip. Moreover, its functionality includes a low-power microcontroller (MCU) and a sensor hub, allowing for efficient development and significant reductions in power consumption, device sizes, and overall costs. The ALT1350 is considered ideal for a multitude of applications, including smart meters, wearables, asset tracking solutions, and connected health devices.
Levana Fouks, Senior Director of System Validation Program Management at Sony Semiconductor Israel, expressed excitement over the ALT1350 achieving this certification, highlighting its importance in expediting entry into the market for IoT products. The rigorous testing and certification help ensure that devices both perform optimally on mobile wireless networks and adhere to global standards. Furthermore, this new PTCRB certification simplifies the module and device certification processes, ultimately shortening the time to market and lowering costs associated with module certification.
The adoption of this certification program is expected to drive innovation in the IoT sector, enhancing the capabilities of new products and contributing to a wider ecosystem of certified chipsets. Integrators, who need not engage in extensive additional testing, can now leverage these certified chipsets in their products, ensuring compliance and interoperability across various applications. With CTIA Certification having been a trusted leader in the wireless industry since 1991, this advancement further establishes confidence in the standards set for devices, technicians, and testing laboratories. As the demand for reliable IoT solutions continues to grow, the Altair ALT1350 is set to play a crucial role in the ongoing evolution of connected technologies.