The 3GPP NB-IoT system architecture for the Internet of Things

Abstract

The first version of the 3GPP NarrowBand-IoT (NB-IoT) standards has been finalized in June 2016 as part of Release 13. NB-IoT is a promising new radio access technology which can coexist with existing GSM, UMTS and LTE deployments. In fact, NB-IoT specifications have been integrated into LTE standards. NB-IoT goes a step further than the MTC [3] (Machine Type Communication) specification, focusing on extremely low cost devices, massive deployments and reduced data rates with a carrier bandwidth of just 200 kHz (hence its name). In this paper we will take a close look at 3GPP specifications to discover which are the modifications required in traditional LTE deployments to provide connectivity to the upcoming Cat-NB1 User Equipments (UEs).