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NXP Unveils Scalable Solutions for Smart Meters
NXP introduces the UBX100, a sub-GHz solution for smart meters, providing ultra-low power consumption and reliable, long-range connectivity, ideal for Wireless M-Bus.
www.nxp.com
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless for smart meters, including electric, gas or waterUBX100 Sub-GHz wireless for smart meters, including electric, gas or waterne a long way toward making things easier and more transparent for both consumers and businesses. The advent of automatic meter reading (AMR) allowed data on consumption, diagnostics and status to be sent to utility companies, or collected periodically in ‘drive-by’ site visits.
Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
AMR is a technology used to collect consumption, diagnostic and status data from utility meters (electric, gas or water) and transfer that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting and analyzing. Typically a one-way transmission model, AMR removed the need for manual meter reading, minimized human error, improved billing cycles and enhanced operational efficiencies. But energy systems are evolving with a growing need for real-time usage data, remote updates, fault detection and load balancing.
Wireless M-Bus, Ultra-Low Power Operation and AMI Efficiency
The capabilities of AMR are limited, so cities and utility companies are increasingly turning to advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), a networking technology of fixed network meter systems that go beyond AMR into remote utility management with real time capabilities.
In Europe, Wireless M-Bus has been a leading standard for remote meter reading for more than a decade, and uses a star topology to connect hundreds of endpoint sensors either to a central gateway or to mobile metering data collector handheld units for "drive-by" meter reading. With this scalable approach, networks can include thousands or more devices, making reliability and power efficiency increasingly important. Submetering is also growing, with individual meters monitoring energy/gas/water usage across different tenants, departments or equipment within a building or industrial facility. Meeting these requirements, NXP developed a new ultra-low power RF transceiver, the UBX100. It is optimized for today’s smart metering needs and is ready for tomorrow’s next-generation smart city requirements.
The UBX100 is a single-chip, sub-GHz radio modem that supports Wireless M-Bus communication in modes S, C and T, with output power up to 14 dBm and ultra-low power consumption of 11 mA.
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless M-Bus solution
Ready-to-Use Full System Solution
The UBX100 is a state-of-the-art solution, designed to work seamlessly with NXP’s MCX microcontroller portfolio, and is supported through the MCUXpresso development environment and MCX FRDM board ecosystem. With the reassurance of NXPs single-source hardware and software, developers are further served by STACKFORCE’s OMS® Wireless M-Bus protocol stack . This is fully compliant with OMS® v4.5.1 and EN 1757-3/-4/-7 standards and enables seamless bidirectional communication.
- Support for wM-MBus modes S, T and C
- Encryption modes 5, 7, and 10 (Security profiles A, B and D)
- Full support for Annex C (“Sensor”) and Annex M (“OMS® use cases”)
- Optimized TRX timing for extended battery life
Developers can explore the stack via an evaluation download license included in the UBX100 SDK for a range of metering and sensor applications.
Key UBX100 Features
Key UBX100 Features
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption: Deep sleep current as low as 600 nA and receive (RX) power consumption of 11 mA
- High Output Power: Up to +14 dBm output at 29 mA
- wM-MBus Mode Support: Supports modes S, C and T, compliant with ETSI, FCC and ARIB regulations
- Compact Package: Available in a 7x7 mm HVQFN48 package
- Operating Temperature Range: -40 °C to +85 °C
- SPI Interface: 5-wire SPI interface supporting up to 2 Mbit/s
Wi-SUN Support This Year
While UBX100 is already fully optimized for Wireless M-Bus, it is also designed to support Wi-SUN FAN, which NXP will implement through an upcoming software upgrade in H2 2025. Wi-SUN support is part of NXP’s broader wireless strategy, with the Wi-SUN Alliance enabling utility companies, municipalities and governments to innovate into the future. Wi-SUN is seen as a future-proof approach that addresses the technical and operational needs of the growing networks of smart meters and street lighting:
While UBX100 is already fully optimized for Wireless M-Bus, it is also designed to support Wi-SUN FAN, which NXP will implement through an upcoming software upgrade in H2 2025. Wi-SUN support is part of NXP’s broader wireless strategy, with the Wi-SUN Alliance enabling utility companies, municipalities and governments to innovate into the future. Wi-SUN is seen as a future-proof approach that addresses the technical and operational needs of the growing networks of smart meters and street lighting:
- Enables long-range, self-healing mesh networks for maximum coverage
- High node density and efficient traffic handling, ideal for large AMI and city-wide networks
- Open, IP-based architecture with seamless integration into existing IT systems
- Interoperability across multiple vendors, enabling flexible and future-safe deployments
Wi-SUN FAN is built on globally recognized standards like IEEE 802.15.4-2015 and IPv6. It supports modern IoT and infrastructure needs, extending beyond simple meter reading. With native support for highly secure IP communication, it is ideal for firmware updates, diagnostics and two-way control, while ensuring regulatory compliance.
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless for smart meters, including electric, gas or water
Future-Proofing Security with Strong Partners
Importantly, Wi-SUN FAN also offers a strong foundation for those industrial IoT and smart city systems that must meet strict cybersecurity requirements. To support this transition, NXP has partnered with Exegin, a long-standing software company with deep roots in IEEE 802.15.4 development. As a leading provider of mesh networking solutions, Exegin specializes in Wi-SUN FAN and Zigbee, with flexible protocol stacks for a broad range of processor architectures, ARM, RISC, x86 (IA64) etc. and operating environments; real-time RTOSes and preemptive UNIX like systems, suitable for everything from smart meters to city-scale infrastructure nodes.
In the move from mechanical meters to dynamic digital systems, the way utility companies track and manage energy is changing. Similarly, cities are changing street lighting from being simple lights to being the backbone for a city wide communications system for data acquisition and control. With the UBX100, NXP is helping that change in a ready-to-use sub-GHz chip that works seamlessly in a smart system solution with our MCX microcontroller portfolio. For faster time to market, combined with unified hardware and software support, the UBX100 is the reliable choice.
www.nxp.com
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless for smart meters, including electric, gas or water
Future-Proofing Security with Strong Partners
Importantly, Wi-SUN FAN also offers a strong foundation for those industrial IoT and smart city systems that must meet strict cybersecurity requirements. To support this transition, NXP has partnered with Exegin, a long-standing software company with deep roots in IEEE 802.15.4 development. As a leading provider of mesh networking solutions, Exegin specializes in Wi-SUN FAN and Zigbee, with flexible protocol stacks for a broad range of processor architectures, ARM, RISC, x86 (IA64) etc. and operating environments; real-time RTOSes and preemptive UNIX like systems, suitable for everything from smart meters to city-scale infrastructure nodes.
In the move from mechanical meters to dynamic digital systems, the way utility companies track and manage energy is changing. Similarly, cities are changing street lighting from being simple lights to being the backbone for a city wide communications system for data acquisition and control. With the UBX100, NXP is helping that change in a ready-to-use sub-GHz chip that works seamlessly in a smart system solution with our MCX microcontroller portfolio. For faster time to market, combined with unified hardware and software support, the UBX100 is the reliable choice.
www.nxp.com
