The new AirLink® RX400 and EX400 offer future-proof 5G connectivity with less than 1W of power, supporting solar and battery-powered IoT deployments.
Semtech Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance semiconductors, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, and cloud connectivity solutions, today announced two new AirLink® 5G RedCap routers designed to address a key gap in the industrial and commercial IoT space. These routers meet the demand for future-proof and energy-efficient 5G connectivity. At the same time, they also meet the needs of real-world IoT applications.
“The adoption of 5G RedCap is accelerating, with global connections expected to exceed 656 million (including eRedCap) by 2030,” said Shobhit Srivastava, Senior Principal Analyst at Omdia. “This technology offers an ideal combination of features for industrial applications: the long lifespan and energy efficiency of 5G networks, and 5G performance tailored to real-world industrial needs — all without the high costs of traditional 5G.”
“As LTE networks are phased out in the 2030s, 5G RedCap will provide enterprises with a technologically and economically viable deployment path.”
The new AirLink RX400 and AirLink EX400 routers deliver the superior performance of 5G RedCap while consuming less than 1 watt in idle mode. This enables deployments in remote, off-grid areas previously only covered by existing LTE networks. In the past, some areas were only covered by expensive, power-intensive legacy 5G solutions. Both routers feature the high throughput and low latency required for IoT applications. Moreover, they employ a 2×2 MIMO antenna configuration for simplified integration with existing and new deployments.
5G RedCap technology, based on 3GPP Release 17 and the 5G Standalone (SA) architecture, enhances network performance and ensures long-term future development. This helps operators continuously upgrade their infrastructure. The RX400 and EX400 not only support 5G RedCap but also LTE Cat-4. As a result, they enable flexible connectivity and rapid deployment.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) Faces a Dilemma Between 4G and Traditional 5G
“The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) has always faced a dilemma: on the one hand, traditional 5G networks are too power-consuming and expensive for off-grid applications; on the other hand, the long-term viability of 4G LTE networks is limited,” said Kinana Hussain, Vice President of Network Solutions at Semtech’s AirLink. “AirLink’s 5G RedCap routers change this. These RedCap routers consume less than 1W and feature a rugged design to withstand extreme environments, delivering 5G networks at the economical cost of IoT. This allows customers to immediately upgrade their networks to meet the long-term operational needs of industrial operations, ultimately providing a sustainable path to connecting remote critical infrastructure.”
Key Applications and Use Cases
Both routers consume less than 1W, enabling entirely new 5G deployment scenarios:
- Remote Infrastructure Monitoring: Off-grid monitoring and data acquisition (SCADA) or advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) in the energy and utilities sectors Backhaul Links
- Critical Infrastructure Monitoring: Remote system monitoring in the oil and gas industry
- Distributed Commercial IoT: Retail, manufacturing, and agricultural operations
- Temporary Deployment: Mobile deployments where grid power is unavailable or prohibitively costly
AirLink RX400: A Rugged 5G RedCap Router for Outdoor Environments
The AirLink RX400 is the industry’s most energy-efficient 5G RedCap router*, featuring a rugged IP64 protection rating and MIL-STD-810H military-grade design. This makes it suitable for harsh outdoor environments and applications requiring the highest reliability. Its perfect combination of rugged design and low power consumption makes it ideal for critical infrastructure applications where grid power is unavailable. Furthermore, it supports solar power in remote areas.
This router supports globally dedicated LTE and 5G bands, including Anterix Band 106 (900 MHz spectrum, compliant with 3GPP Release 18). This provides crucial versatility and future-proof compatibility for mission-critical deployments in the energy, utility, and industrial sectors. The router also features single/dual serial ports and a single Gigabit Ethernet port. Additionally, it has edge computing capabilities and offers optional Wi-Fi 6.
AirLink EX400: Semi-Ruggedized Design for Business IoT
The AirLink EX400 features a semi-rugged design suitable for IoT applications in retail, manufacturing, and agricultural operations. This router features dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, edge computing capabilities, and optional Wi-Fi 6.
Comprehensive Network Management
Both the RX400 and EX400 include a one-year AirLink Complete service, providing a hardware warranty, 24/7 support, and remote management via the cloud-based AirLink Management Services (ALMS) platform. This enables enterprises to securely monitor, manage, and automatically update router deployments at scale without requiring significant effort from IT support teams. Semtech is expanding the management options for its AirLink OS-based routers, including the AirLink RX400 and AirLink EX400. It is doing so by adding management options via the AirLink Manager (AM) and AirLink Mobility Manager (AMM) platforms. These management solutions can be deployed on servers or locally. Therefore, AirLink customers get the flexibility to choose the management solution that best suits their operational and organizational needs. They can also leverage a field-proven management infrastructure trusted by leading global energy and industrial organizations.
Availability
AirLink RX400 and EX400 routers are available for order now through Semtech’s authorized AirLink channel partners.