NRF9160-SICA-R7 datasheet(360/400 Pages) NORDIC

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7 LTE modem

7.1 Introduction

The long term evolution (LTE) modem consists of baseband processing and RF parts, which together

implement a complete 3GPP LTE release 13 (Rel-13) Cat-M1 and Cat-NB1 and LTE release 14 (Rel-14) Cat-

NB1 and Cat-NB2 capable product.

Note: Cat-NB2 is supported in LTE modem HW, but needs modem firmware support to get

enabled. Please refer to nRF9160 modem firmware release notes found under nRF91 FW binaries

downloads concerning availability of Cat-NB2 feature support".

As illustrated in the image below, the following is a part of the LTE modem:

• RF transceiver

• Modem baseband (BB)

• Embedded flash/RAM

• Modem host processor and peripherals

The modem baseband and host processor provide functions for the LTE L1, L2 and L3 (layer 1, 2 and

3 respectively) as well as IP communication layers. Modem peripherals provide hardware services for

modem operating system and for modem secure execution environment.

nRF91

UICC

I/O

Power supply

Application

LTE modem

Arm® Cortex® -M

application processor

Modem host processor

and peripherals

Embedded flash/RAM

Application peripherals

Modem baseband

Power and clock

RF transceiver

LTE antenna GPS antenna

Figure 108: LTE modem within the nRF91

Application and modem domains are interacting through interprocessor communication (IPC) mechanism.

LTE modem is accessible to user through the modem API.

The application processor is the master in the system and responsible for starting and stopping of the

modem. LTE modem enables the clocks and power required for its own operation. Shared resources, such

as e.g. clocks, are handled within the platform and require no user involvement. In cases where a hard

fault is detected in the modem, the application domain will perform a hard reset for the modem.

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NRF9160-SICA-R7 Datasheet(PDF) 360 Page - Nordic Semiconductor