Press releases

|

25 Sep 2014

World’s smallest 3G module receives technical approval by AT&T

u-blox’ SARA-U260 3G/2G modem accelerates inexpensive migration to 3G

The SARA-U260 module

u-blox’ SARA-U260 3G/2G module now AT&T network certified

Reston, Virginia – Sept. 25, 2014 – Swiss u‑blox, a global leader in cellular, short-range radio and positioning modules and integrated circuits, announces that its SARA-U260 dual-band 3G/2G module has achieved “AT&T network compatible” status.
 

The certification allows customers to design SARA-U260 modems into M2M devices operating over AT&T’s extensive 3G network in the USA. Typical applications include small tracking boxes, usage-based insurance devices, smart metering, wearable electronics, as well as connected fitness watches.

 

“u-blox is proud that AT&T certified our SARA-U260 module for its network,” said Nikolaos Papadopoulos, President of u-blox America. “Our robust voice and data modules deliver powerful 3G connectivity with 2G fallback in the smallest package on the market, at a price that customers recently paid for a 2G module.”

 

SARA-U260 is a complete 3G/2G voice/data module for applications which still require roaming ability with 2G using AT&T’s extensive 3G network coverage.  The SARA-U260 provides full voice and data capability as well as a full suite of IP protocol stacks.  The module features have been selected to give customers specific features they need for telematics units, handheld devices, communications modules, point-of-sale terminals, vehicle "black boxes" and utility meters.

 

SARA-U260 provides efficient and cost-effective mobile connectivity in a miniature 16 x 26 mm2 LGA form factor. The module is pin-compatible with SARA-G3 GSM/GPRS modules, as well as layout-compatible with LISA-U2 (HSPA) and TOBY-L2LTE modules to support future-proof 4G LTE designs.

 

All SARA modules share the same form-factor and footprint and are designed based on u-blox’ “Nested Design” philosophy. This allows engineers to develop one hardware/software platform to support GSM/GPRS, HSPA, or LTE, depending on their end customer requirements.

 

SARA-U260 hosts multiple embedded IP protocols, such as TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTTP, and FTP.  In-band modem support for automotive emergency calls like eCall and ERA/GLONASS are also integrated. Extremely low power consumption makes the SARA-U260 perfect for battery-powered and handheld devices.

 

With direct A-GPS support for accelerated positioning and u-blox’ unique CellLocate® hybrid positioning technology, SARA-U260 is designed to perfectly match u-blox advanced GNSS positioning capabilities, including indoor positioning.

For Europe and Asia, u-blox also offers the pin- and software compatible certified version SARA-U270.

 

RIL software for Android and Embedded Windows is available free of charge from u-blox.