China Mobile Zhejiang IoT Laboratory NB-IoT Testing

A module that carries the NB-IoT chip and can complete communication functions.

The four main features of NB-IoT technology:

Currently, the modules on the market mainly use chips from Huawei Boundica and Qualcomm.

The following are some major module manufacturers:

NB-IoT Base Station

Function Description:

The IoT laboratory has built a small NB-IoT base station to facilitate manufacturers to conduct relevant NB-IoT function tests, network signal parameter configurations, and problem location. The NB-IoT network environment in the laboratory is consistent with the external commercial NB-IoT network, allowing manufacturers to directly commercialize through testing.

DC Current Analyzer

Function Description:

For the power consumption verification tests of NB-IoT low-power performance, the laboratory has high-priced purchased the Keysight N6705B power analyzer. The wide range of power supply output, long-term data recording, and high-precision current measurement have enabled the power consumption testing of NB-IoT.

Location: Mobile IoT Laboratory

Voltage: Power analyzer 3.8V power supply

Test Sub-board: Using a specially made sub-board module in the laboratory to ensure consistency of peripheral circuits

Firmware Version Information:

Quectel Module: V100R100C10B657SP1

China Mobile IoT Module: V100R100C10B657SP1

Lierda Module: V100R100C10B657SP1

2G Module: G510_V0D.00.47

Note: The 2G module in the experiment used the default configuration for testing

Peak Current Testing for Module Networking

Average Current Testing in IDLE State

Average Current Testing in PSM

Average Current Testing for a Complete Packet Sending Task

1. Power on the module being tested, start recording the current waveform, and begin testing;

2. The testing module successfully attaches to the network;

3. The module does not send or receive data, enters IDLE state, and waits for T3324 timeout, entering PSM mode;

4. Send uplink data, the module wakes up from PSM low power mode, then enters IDLE state, with no data interaction, and finally re-enters PSM sleep mode;

5. From the recorded current waveform, extract the peak current/average current for each mode, which can further calculate the power consumption for each mode;