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How to Fast-Track Cellular IoT Design Success with nRF9151 Solutions

Jari Haiston in Blogs on April 07, 2025

About Jari Haiston

Jari Haiston is part of the growing digital marketing team at Symmetry Electronics. Jari comes from a background in technical writing and event coordination. In her current role, she specializes in content creation and social media management. Jari's focus as a writer is to create interesting content that is accessible to any audience.
Find nRF9151 Series solutions from Nordic Semiconductor at Braemac Americas.

As global IoT deployments surge, the demand for connected solutions that offer reliable, low-power, and globally accessible options has never been higher. In fact, the cellular IoT market is projected to reach $15.4 billion by 2027. However, meeting this demand requires rapid development cycles to bring products to market faster without compromising on functionality, power efficiency, or global connectivity.

As the massive IoT market’s smallest and lowest power cellular IoT solution, the nRF9151 System-in-Package (SiP) module from Nordic Semiconductor stands out as a feature-rich tool that not only accelerates development but also delivers the advanced capabilities needed to meet modern IoT demands.

What is the nRF9151?

The nRF9151’s compact size, low power consumption, and integrated support for LTE-M, NB-IoT, DECT NR+, and GNSS make it an ideal choice for designing versatile, globally connected devices without the complexity of sourcing multiple components. At 20% smaller than its predecessor, the nRF9161, the nRF9151 is perfect for applications requiring a minimal footprint without compromising performance.

This streamlined, powerful SiP simplifies the path from concept to deployment, providing developers with a flexible solution for rapid, efficient IoT development. In terms of power efficiency, it supports both Power Class 5 (20 dBm) and Power Class 3 (23 dBm), enabling developers to optimize power usage based on specific environmental needs, helping extend battery life. Additionally, the nRF9151’s integrated modem provides seamless global connectivity, removing the need for region-specific hardware and ensuring worldwide compatibility.

Key Features
  • Fully integrated SiP for cellular IoT and DECT NR+
  • U.S. tariff-free country of origin
  • Multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem with DECT NR+ support and GNSS 700-2200 MHz LTE band support
  • Power Class 5, 20 dBm
  • Power Class 3, 23 dBm
  • 1.9 GHz NR+ band support
  • Certified for global operation
  • Dedicated programmable application processor and memory
  • 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M33
  • 1 MB flash + 256 KB RAM
  • Arm TrustZone + Arm CryptoCell

Versatile Applications & Use Cases

The nRF9151 is ideal for large-scale IoT deployments that demand reliability, security, long-range connectivity, and scalability. It supports extensive mesh applications across industries, from industrial automation—where it powers secure, robust sensor networks—to smart agriculture, enabling widespread data collection for efficient crop and livestock management.

Key Applications
  • Asset Tracking ­
  • Smart Metering ­
  • Smart City ­
  • Smart Agriculture ­
  • Predictive maintenance ­
  • Portable Medical Devices ­
  • Industry 4.0
Skyline interconnected by technology to demonstrate abstract smart city capabilities.
Autonomous agriculture vehicle and drone are working in agricultural plot, Agriculture technology with smart farming concept.

Power-Packed nRF9151 Development Kit

One of the key benefits of the nRF9151 is its ability to fast-track IoT development cycles, bringing reliable solutions to market quickly. To further support developers in creating efficient and robust IoT solutions, Nordic Semiconductor offers a dedicated nRF9151 Development Kit. The nRF9151 DK provides a comprehensive platform to test, evaluate, and prototype applications quickly and effectively.

The kit is fully compatible with the nRF Connect SDK, providing developers with access to a suite of libraries, sample applications, and tools that streamline software development. This includes support for protocols, cloud connectivity, and device management.

Key Features
  • Global LTE-M/NB-IoT antenna
  • GNSS antenna
  • Supports DECT NR+ 
  • Arduino Uno form factor
  • 4 LEDs user-programmable
  • 4 buttons user-programmable
  • SEGGER J-Link OB Debugger with debug out support
  • UART interface through VCOM port
  • USB connection for debug/programming and power
  • Bundled with SIM cards from Onomondo and Wireless Logic preloaded with free data

Accelerate Prototyping with a Multi-Sensor Cellular IoT Platform

Nordic Thingy:91 X

It’s now easier than ever to go from concept to prototype with the Nordic Thingy:91 X. Built around the nRF9151 SiP, the Nordic Thingy:91 X is a powerful, all-in-one prototyping platform designed to accelerate the development of global cellular IoT solutions. Building on the same cellular protocol and positioning technology support as the nRF9151 SiP (LTE-M, NB-IoT, GNSS, and DECT NR+), the Nordic Thingy:91 X is the first cellular IoT prototyping platform with both Wi-Fi and GNSS. It’s ideal for asset tracking and remote monitoring solutions across a wide range of industries.

Developer-Friendly, Out-of-the-Box Ready

Designed to be immediately operational, the Nordic Thingy:91 X reduces setup time and eliminates initial delays. Its key features include:

  • Battery-operated prototyping platform for the nRF9151 SiP  
  • Certifications: CE (EUR)  
  • LTE-M/NB-IoT/NR+, GNSS and Bluetooth LE/Wi-Fi antennas  
  • Wi-Fi locationing enabled by nRF7002  
  • User-programmable buttons and LEDs  
  • Environmental sensor for temperature, humidity, air quality, and air pressure, plus magnetometer  
  • Low-power 3-axis accelerometer  
  • 6-axis IMU with gyroscope  
  • Rechargeable Li-Po battery with 1350 mAh capacity - nPM1300 PMIC for battery charging and fuel gauging  
  • Board controller: nRF5340 for connectivity between 
  • USB interface 

Expandable and Customizable

With Qwiic, STEMMA, and Grove-compatible expansion connectors, plus a debug board interface, the Nordic Thingy:91 X makes it easy to add peripherals or debug in real-time. Developers can also interact directly through two programmable buttons and RGB LEDs for on-device feedback.

Purpose-Built for the nRF Ecosystem

The Nordic Thingy:91 X runs on firmware built with the nRF Connect SDK, featuring the Zephyr RTOS, libraries, samples, and hardware drivers. This open-source toolkit enables full customization and secure data transmission to the nRF Cloud, where developers can manage devices, visualize data, and leverage advanced cloud-based services.

Find nRF9151 Solutions at Braemac Americas | Symmetry Electronics

Ready to fast-track your cellular IoT development? The nRF9151 Series solutions are now available at Braemac Americas (rebranded from Symmetry Electronics). Explore the possibilities and unlock the potential of the nRF9151 for your next project.

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Jari Haiston in Blogs on April 07, 2025

About Jari Haiston

Jari Haiston is part of the growing digital marketing team at Symmetry Electronics. Jari comes from a background in technical writing and event coordination. In her current role, she specializes in content creation and social media management. Jari's focus as a writer is to create interesting content that is accessible to any audience.

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