Abstract
NB-IoT is the most suitable mobile network technology for IoT applications that require exceptionally extensive coverage added with extremely low power consumption, since these applications will generally be characterized by low data rates and moderate reaction times, usually in a few seconds, enabling the creation and development of solutions aimed at smart cities and smart environments. The NB-IoT technology can be characterized as a cellular LPWAN technology operating in a downlink within a bandwidth of 180 kHz and a sub-carrier space of 15 kHz and in the uplink, in general with a single tone transmission ranging between 3.75 kHz or 15 kHz, using coverage enhancement techniques, with characteristics of battery life for more than a decade and with specific battery-saving features. The ease that technological solutions of internet of things (IoT) make available through applications connected through intelligent sensors in traffic lights and parking lots; city pollution sensors; meters for energy, water, and sewage in cities, among other possibilities make systems more efficient, considering NB-IoT connectivity in relation to the treatment of information collected by devices allowing applications to be developed to address market needs. Therefore, this chapter aims to provide an updated discussion on narrowband technologies in the context of the IoT, showing and approaching its success, with a concise bibliographic background, categorizing and synthesizing the technological potential.
TopIntroduction
The advantages of broadband connection are widely known, either through cable or even over a wireless network, allowing for high-speed internet browsing. However, in IoT (Internet of Things) thinking in smart cities is fundamental, considering a transit system in which sensors scattered throughout the city indicate in real-time where there is free parking space, or show the public transport user what the faster option to reach a certain location. In companies, the concept of IoT can be applied to smart grids that promote more efficient energy consumption and even monitor pollution. In the IoT, a farmer can bring different benefits provided by irrigation systems that take into account data from soil moisture. Thus, it is possible to notice the numerous possibilities of the application of IoT. However, if this technology becomes even more real, it is necessary to efficiently connect this huge amount of devices and sensors, responsible for the generation and transmission of data, so that this structure is reliable, durable and affordable. In this regard comes the narrowband Internet of things, known as NB-IoT (Mekki et al., 2019, Ayoub et al., 2018, Wortmann et al., 2015, Xia et al., 2012).
Since the core of IoT is perception, acquisition, and data transmission. Data can be perceived and acquired through intelligent devices, monitoring devices, and sensor integrated terminals. Connecting devices that greatly improve operational efficiency by creating and delivering tremendous social value. Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) offers broad coverage, a large number of connections, low data rates, low costs, low power consumption, and optimized architecture. Responds perfectly to the need for IoT deployment in various industries (Boisguene et al., 2017, Gubbi et al., 2013, Zanella et al., 2014).
However, first, it is necessary to understand the LPWAN technology, which designates Low Power Wide Area Network, which are networks that were developed precisely to connect millions of “things”, in wide areas, with devices that need to transmit very specific data, in a process that consumes much less battery. One LPWAN option is NB-IoT, which is a variant of 4G, with other options like SigFox and LoRa (Long Range). The definition of which one is the most appropriate will depend on the analysis of various characteristics of each project. Overall, they all significantly reduce the power consumption of devices that send small amounts of data, which can last at least ten years without requiring battery replacement, allowing connections up to 10 kilometers away. Since then, NB-IoT has been gradually adopted in IoT-related projects in several countries, including Brazil, in order to make it possible to offer IoT services, focusing initially on smart cities (Zhang et al., 2018, Atzori et al., 2010).
In this context, there are several types of LPWAN networks that are differentiated by the type of modulation they use. So, there are those that use ultra-narrowband, narrowband, and broadband. In the ultra-narrow band, it takes advantage of the fact that by narrowing the transmitted band, the noise floor increases which has a positive impact on receiver sensitivity, range and also allows for lower transmission power (Li et al., 2017, Song et al., 2017, Petrenko et al., 2018, Lauridsen et al., 2017).
However, the limitation is on data transmission capacity, which is limited at a very low rate in addition to small data packets in both one-way and two-way communications. With broadband, it's possible to achieve the highest speeds, with these reaching channels as wide as 1 MHz, in which case is achieved the highest data rate possible (Zhang et al., 2018, Atzori et al., 2010, Petrenko et al., 2018, Lauridsen et al., 2017).
For narrowband technologies, however, the advantages of ultra-narrowband and broadband are combined, which means an extra degree in the speed and size of data packets. In short, with narrowband, it is reached less power requirement for a certain range, but in return, it gets lost in speed. With wider bandwidth, it is necessary more power but also can transmit more data (Boisguene et al., 2017, Atzori et al., 2010, Zanella et al., 2014, Petrenko et al., 2018).
Therefore, this chapter aims to provide an updated discussion on Narrowband technologies in the context of the Internet of Things, showing and approaching its success, with a concise bibliographic background, categorizing and synthesizing the technological potential.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Wireless: Wireless technology makes it possible to transmit the connection between distant points without having to use wires, such as cordless phones, radios or mobile devices, from a point where there is a traditional internet, an antenna and a transmission radio that sends a high-frequency signal for a given distance, which this broadcast can be opened where anyone accesses, without a password or closed and it is necessary to obtain the access code; thus any communication that exists without a wire or cable is characterized by a wireless connection.
4G: It works with LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology, which is a data transmission technology based on WCDMA and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) technology, however, currently data transmission is much more common than voice transmission, so technology prioritizes internet data, but does not rule out the idea that voice calls can still be used. It is considered a protocol that sends and receives information and data packets, differing from 3G in that this technology is entirely IP-based, meaning that when it comes to data such as video and voice data that needs to be sent and received, using internet protocols. For a network to be considered 4G, it must be able to reach maximum data rates of 100 Mbps (megabits per second) in the case of highly mobile communications.
Narrowband: Narrowband is a connectivity technology based on the 3G/4G connectivity model, and can coexist with 2G, 3G, and 4G mobile networks, in addition to benefiting from all the security and privacy features of mobile networks, such as confidentiality support user identity, entity authentication, data integrity, and mobile device identification, and will be one of the branches of the 5G network. These are technologies used in low complexity devices, but with a high volume of data, that is, the infrastructure of mobile networks will be used to transport the data.
LPWAN: Type of wireless network for long distances with low power consumption and low bandwidth coupled with low implementation cost, it is often used in IoT when there is a need to send little data, over relatively long distances, guaranteeing a longer battery life to be implemented during the communication and application processes. It is a new class of wireless communication technology, designed specifically for low data traffic IoT applications, it is a type of telecommunications network designed to allow a long-range of communication at small transmission rates between connected objects, such as battery-charged sensors are characterized by using little energy, low transmission rate, and low cost.
2G: This is a standard of communication until today, allow for multiplexing of bandwidth which basically means several conversations at the same time without interfering with each other and the ability to exchange small amounts of data, such as SMS messages. Implanted in the 1990s, with the implantation of the digital signal, it mainly uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), and until today it is used in several parts of the world, as it provides the basic conversation infrastructure efficiently and is where telephone operators obtain a large part of their revenues.
3G: It is through this technology that the majority of mobile internet users communicate, using mainly WCDMA (Wide-Band Code-Division Multiple Access) or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) technologies, through WCDMA includes HSPA (High-Speed Packet) technologies Access) providing speeds of up to 14 Mbps and HSPA + evolution, reaching up to 21 Mbps, offering minimum speeds of 200 kbps, according to the IMT-2000 standard. 3G technology improves data and voice transmission, offering faster connection speeds, in addition to other features, such as video calls, television signal transmission, among other services. In Brazil, however, the most common plans are 1 Mbps, but it promises much higher speeds, around 8 Mbps for a person standing still and 1 Mpbs in motion.
IoT: The internet of things refers to groups of digital devices, such as industrial sensors, that collect and transmit data over the Internet, this evokes a vision of a fully connected world, in which data and sensors transform everything from transport to energy management. This vision is already becoming a reality thanks to a low-cost network technology that can connect to all types of objects and, most importantly, thanks to standards that support ecosystems in which all applications, services, and systems work together. It consists only of sensors and other smart devices. Among its uses is the capture of operational data from remote sensors, allowing different objects, from cars to industrial machines or consumer goods such as shoes and clothes, to share data and information to complete certain tasks.
NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things): The traditional Internet connects people, while the IoT connects people and things or things and things, taking into account that the core of this technology is perception, acquisition and data transmission, since they can be perceived and acquired through smart devices, devices sensors, and terminals integrated by sensors. With NB-IoT it is possible to connect from bicycles and scooters to industrial equipment, with very low consumption, meaning the continuous use of the devices (without changing the battery) for several years, considerably improving operational efficiency and huge social value, allowing communication over long distances, offering wide coverage, a large number of connections, low data rates, low costs, low energy consumption, and optimized architecture, responding to the need to deploy IoT in various industries.