What is the NB-Fi protocol
The most powerful and efficient LPWAN protocol for long-range IoT applications
Narrowband fidelity
NB-Fi is short for Narrowband Fidelity. It is an innovative LPWAN technology designed for low-power, wide-area, machine-to-machine communication. This open wireless protocol was purpose-built to deliver the most robust, reliable and energy-efficient sensor communication using a narrowband approach.
NB-Fi is a full stack
NB-Fi is an LPWAN technology that covers the entire range of OSI model layers, from the physical layer (PHY) to the application layer (APP, IoT Cloud).
By contrast, the innovation of the ETI NB-Fi protocol is built across the entire wireless stack, reaching deep into the physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers, which results in a robust, long-range wireless communication solution able to operate in the most challenging RF environments.
NB-Fi has been sharpened by extensive practical experience and by the challenges we encounter in numerous use cases. This helps us deliver a reliable solution with outstanding characteristics across the entire technology stack.
NB-Fi is a smart LPWAN protocol
The smart spectrum usage algorithm is highly optimized and delivers best-in-class spectral efficiency.
NB-Fi is based on a narrowband RF approach, which is considered the de facto standard for long-distance communication.
Sophisticated mathematically based algorithms and SDR technology make it possible to process a wide spectral band, providing a capacity of 2,000,000 nodes per base station.
High computing performance allows us to recover an RF signal buried -3 dBm below the noise floor.
The use of sub-GHz frequency bands provides outstanding penetration in harsh urban environments compared with 2.4 GHz technologies.
NB-Fi is an open standard
NB-Fi is an open wireless LPWA protocol suitable for deployment worldwide.
An open standard gives wireless technology sustainability and interoperability between different manufacturers. Open standard technology drives innovation and cost efficiency through greater competition.
Gaining access to the complete NB-Fi technology allows you to develop and sell your own IoT products compliant with the NB-Fi standard.
NB-Fi features and benefits
NB-Fi has been adopted for M2M connectivity, IoT applications and sensor networks worldwide. We have taken into account countless factors that ensure compliance with real-world requirements.
Extensible API. The data stream can be easily integrated with the customer's existing ERP/IT system or front end via HTTP GET/API.
License-free and frequency-flexible, the solution is suitable for deployment worldwide, supporting radio hardware and compliant MAC architectures in the 915 MHz, 868 MHz and 433 MHz ISM bands, as well as in other license-free sub-GHz spectrum.
Perfect coexistence. The gateways also run an interference avoidance algorithm that lets them continuously monitor and avoid RF energy from other systems in the band.
Long-range connectivity of 10 km in the city and up to 30 km in rural areas is available with the highly reliable ETI NB-Fi radio protocol.
High signal penetration enables transmission over long distances from basements and through several concrete walls.
A high level of security is provided by two-way data encryption from the endpoint throughout the entire data system using a 256-bit XTEA-2 key.
Multi-protocol equipment. The gateways are fully SDR in both directions. This means we can start supporting a new protocol simply by updating the firmware on the gateways.
High scalability, because each base station has ample capacity to handle more than 2,000,000 smart devices within its range.
A decentralized, resilient architecture allows base stations to perform a significant part of the network processing locally, which enables the system to keep operating at full functionality through a network blackout.
Artificial intelligence. NB-Fi technology uses neural algorithms and machine learning for self-managing networks, minimizing human involvement and automatically optimizing dozens of network parameters.