Renesas’ AE-CLOUD2 hardware kit includes a tri-mode cellular modem with cellular/GPS antennas, Synergy S5D9 microcontroller (MCU) baseboard, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and multiple sensors on-board. The board includes Grove, PMOD, and Arduino headers for expansion, a built-in Ethernet PHY chip, and Ethernet Port. By integrating all the expandable functions and on-board sensors, this is the first kit to market NB-IoT and CAT-M with a wide breadth of functionality.

This functionality extends to the regional aspects of the kit. This is the first Cat-M1/Cat-NB1 kit for global operation. The kits and solution are platform-based, meaning customers can pick and choose portions of the design. SSP has Application Framework within the software, so modularity and swapping of components is possible. AE-CLOUD2 hardware has been designed to pass RF emissions tests for FCC and CE. The hardware design was done using best practices for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and therefore can serve as a reference design for users developing their own hardware.

The AE-CLOUD2 kit has been designed to work with CAT-M and NB-IoT Networks. Users should check that these networks are supported by cellular providers in their region and have the ability to configure the modem to establish a connection to an available regional network through a local cellular provider.