The nRF9161 system-in-package (SiP) is the successor to the popular nRF9160, bringing together the latest cellular IoT and DECT NR+ technologies in a low-power offering and compact form factor. The nRF9161 SiP supports the 3GPP Release 14 LTE-M/NB-IoT LTE stack for cellular connectivity, and the new DECT NR+ protocol for non-cellular, ultra-reliable, low-latency, massive mesh connectivity. The integrated modem of the nRF9161 enables global connectivity without regional limitations, and includes new unique modem features for further power saving and ease of use.

Features & Specifications

• Fully integrated SiP with 64 MHz Arm Cortex-M33 and multimode LTE-M/NB-IoT modem with DECT NR+ support (nRF9161 only) and GNSS
• 700-2200 MHz LTE band support
• 1.9 GHz NR+ band support (nRF9161 only)
• Certified for global operation
• Dedicated programmable application processor and memory
• 1 MB flash + 256 KB RAM
• Arm TrustZone + Arm CryptoCell 310
• Interfaces include GPIO, I2C, I2S, PWM, SPI, UART, PDM
• 3.3 VDC operating supply with 3-5.5 VDC supply range
• SiP dimensions of 16 mm x 10.5 mm x 1 mm
• Advanced power saving mode (nRF9161 only)

nRF9161 Development Kit

The nRF9161 DK is a pre-certified, single-board development kit that makes it easy to get started with the nRF9161 SiP. The development kit has a dedicated LTE-M, NB-IoT, and DECT NR+ antenna for use with all the bands supported by the nRF9161 SiP, including LTE bands B1-B5, B8, B12, B13, B17-B20, B25, B26, B28, B65, B66, and B85.

An integrated patch antenna for GNSS is also included on the PCB, while onboard SWF RF connectors allow measurement of RF performance. Both antenna connectors also allow for the use of external antennas.

nRF9161 DK top

All GPIOs and interfaces are available via connectors. Being Arduino Uno Rev3-compatible, the kit can easily interface with a wide range of expansion boards. User-programmable LEDs and buttons (four each) are available for basic user interaction.

nRF9161 DK bottom

The nRF9161 DK has both a nano/4FF SIM card slot for traditional SIM cards, and an MFF2 SIM footprint for an eSIM (not included). The kit is shipped with a SIM card that is pre-loaded with free data. It also supports the use of Software SIM, further reducing power consumption.

Programming and debugging are enabled through the onboard SEGGER J-Link, which also supports programming and debugging external targets. The nRF9161 DK is supported by a full suite of development software, tools and resources, including the Nordic Developer Academy’s Cellular IoT Fundamentals course.

The nRF9161 DK comes pre-flashed with our Serial LTE Modem application for interfacing through AT commands. Getting started with other firmware samples is available in the Quick Start tool, found in nRF Connect for Desktop.

nRF9160 Development Kit

The nRF9160 DK is a development kit similar to the nRF9161 DK, but based on the nRF9160 chipset, so lacks support for DECT NR+ mesh connectivity, as well as a few other upgrades that come with the newer chipset.

nRF9160 DK top

nRF9161 DK bottom

Thingy:91

Thingy:91 is a battery-operated sensor node for prototyping cellular IoT applications based on the nRF9160 SiP.

• Chipsets
  • nRF9160 (cellular)
  • nRF52840 (board controller and Bluetooth LE)
• Connectivity
  • LTE-M
  • NB-IoT
  • GNSS
  • Bluetooth LE
  • NFC
  • Nano/4FF SIM card slot
  • eSIM card from iBasis with 10 MB preloaded
• User Interface
  • User-programmable button
  • RGB LEDs
• Sensors & Actuators
  • temperature
  • humidity
  • air quality
  • air pressure
  • color + light
  • low-power accelerometer
  • high-g accelerometer
  • 4 x N-MOS transistors for external loads
  • audio buzzer
• Certifications
  • FCC (USA)
  • CE (Europe)
• Power
  • rechargeable, 1350-mAh Li-Po battery
• Open source
  • firmware
  • schematics
  • layout