5G RedCap IoT Modules

What is 5G RedCap Technology?

5G Reduced Capability (NR-Light, Rel-17) targets IoT that needs more than LTE Cat-1/4 but less complexity and cost than full 5G NR. Typical peaks are ~220 Mbps DL / ~120 Mbps UL using 20 MHz FR1 and fewer antennas—improving cost and power. It supports 5G SA and evolves toward eRedCap (Rel-18) for even lower cost and power.

Why Choose 5G RedCap IoT Modules?

5G RedCap IoT modules provide a balance of performance, cost, and power efficiency, ideal for mid-tier IoT applications. Key benefits include:

• Throughput uplift: ~220/120 Mbps vs Cat-4’s ~150/50 Mbps.
• Lower complexity than full 5G: 20 MHz FR1 and fewer antennas reduce BOM and RF design overhead.
• Lower latency: Better control responsiveness and smoother telemetry versus LTE Cat-4.
• Power profile: eDRX and modern 5G features extend device battery life.
• Forward path: 5G SA today; eRedCap in Rel-18 for ultra-low-cost designs.

5G RedCap vs LTE Cat-4 vs 5G NR

Pick RedCap when Cat-4’s ~150/50 Mbps or latency is constraining, but full 5G NR’s RF/bandwidth complexity isn’t justified. Stay on Cat-4 for legacy or cost-first fleets. Choose full 5G NR only when wideband throughput is essential and RF/antenna complexity is acceptable.

Pick RedCap when Cat-4’s ~150/50 Mbps or latency is constraining, but full 5G NR’s RF/bandwidth complexity isn’t justified. Stay on Cat-4 for legacy or cost-first fleets. Choose full 5G NR only when wideband throughput is essential and RF/antenna complexity is acceptable.

How Does 5G RedCap Compare to LTE and 5G NR?

5G RedCap serves as a bridge between LTE (Cat-1 and Cat-4) and full 5G NR, offering a migration path for IoT devices. Compared to LTE Cat-1 (10 Mbps DL, 5 Mbps UL) and Cat-4 (150 Mbps DL, 50 Mbps UL), 5G RedCap provides higher throughput (up to 220 Mbps DL, 120 Mbps UL) and lower latency, ideal for data-intensive IoT applications like video surveillance and industrial sensors.

Unlike 5G NR, which supports up to 1 Gbps DL and high-bandwidth use cases (e.g., AR/VR gaming), 5G RedCap uses fewer antennas and a 20 MHz bandwidth in FR1, reducing costs by 50–70% and power consumption via features like eDRX. It also adds 5G benefits like network slicing and enhanced positioning, unavailable in LTE. For cost-sensitive applications, 3GPP Release 18’s eRedCap (2026 rollout) further reduces bandwidth (~10 Mbps), aligning closer to LTE Cat-1 for ultra-low-cost devices.

What Are the Applications of 5G RedCap Modules?

5G RedCap technology enables a wide range of IoT applications with real-time connectivity:

• Drones & inspection: control + 2–4 Mbps video uplink; periodic stills 200–500 KB each.
• Smart cameras: 2–6 Mbps VBR for security/monitoring; on-event bursts higher.
• Industrial telemetry: 10–200 KB/s steady; bursty on alarms and firmware updates.
• Routers/Gateways: multi-sensor aggregation; spiky uplink during OTA windows.

Are Operators Ready for 5G RedCap?

RedCap requires 5G SA. SA deployments are expanding globally. Where SA isn’t available yet, CQM220 supports LTE fallback (~150/50 Mbps). During design, we should verify SA coverage by region and planned timelines with local operators, and plan testing on both SA and LTE fallback.

How to Integrate Cavli’s 5G RedCap IoT Modules?

Cavli Wireless simplifies integration of 5G RedCap IoT modules with developer-friendly tools and comprehensive support, enabling seamless deployment for IoT applications:

• Form Factors and Interfaces: The CQM220 5G RedCap module is available in M.2 and LGA form factors, supporting SGMII, USB 2.0, UART, and audio interfaces (PCM, I2S). Explore our interface matrix for detailed specifications.
• OpenWrt with SDK Support: Accelerate Linux-based development with our OpenWrt based SDK, designed for easy customization and integration.
• Evaluation Kits: Request a CQM220 5G RedCap module evaluation kit and AT command references through our contact page to streamline development and testing.

How Does Cavli Hubble Enhance 5G RedCap Module Management?

• Real-Time Monitoring: Tracks modem performance and connectivity.
• FOTA Updates: Ensures modules stay current with minimal downtime.
• Data Plan Management: Preset data plans, custom data plans and Pay-as-you-Go plans are available offering OEMs a seamless way to organize data usage for their deployments.

What’s the Future of 5G RedCap Technology?

5G RedCap is evolving with 3GPP Release 18’s eRedCap (2026 rollout), targeting ~10 Mbps throughput and enhanced positioning for trackers and wearables. These improvements further reduce BOM costs and power consumption, making eRedCap a viable replacement for LTE Cat-1/Cat-1bis in low-data-rate applications.