In the development process of AIoT intelligent networking, what key position does the module occupy? For the field of metering, modules are the guarantee for stable and safe transmission of data in remote meter reading; for the industrial field, modules are the cornerstone for low-latency data transmission or positioning; for autonomous driving, modules are the key to achieving An important part of vehicle-side sensing data transmission and real-time positioning…
Precisely because it is important enough for equipment, with the rapid growth of AIoT, the module industry is developing at a rapid pace. ABI Research data shows that global IoT cellular communication module shipments were 104 million units in 2016 and will grow to 1.25 billion units by 2023, with a compound growth rate of 42.65%.
However, as a communication middleware product for IoT devices, modules have always played a low-key role in the past. However, with the advent of the AIoT era, modules have made great progress in terms of product performance and computing power levels, and are playing an increasingly important role in intelligent networked devices.
AI and connectivity are increasingly connected
In the 4G era, Internet of Things applications represented by payment have very well integrated connection and intelligence. The introduction of various intelligent technologies has naturally promoted the development of POS machines and other products. As early as 2015, Quectel collaborated with several major domestic POS machine manufacturers to develop the SC20, the first entry-level smart module that supports the Android system, helping POS machine manufacturers develop and promote smart POS products, and jointly set off a market craze for mobile payment. .
With the continuous iteration of payment technology, payment methods represented by QR code payment and face payment have gradually become mainstream, which has also given rise to stronger demand for AI technology in market applications. It is precisely based on various application needs that the traditional Internet of Things is gradually adding value in the development process and deeply integrating with AI, and AIoT emerged as the times require.
The so-called AIoT is based on IoT standards that mainly address data transmission technology, and pays more attention to new IoT application forms, making AI and IoT complementary to each other. Specifically, the Internet of Things (IoT) provides artificial intelligence AI with the massive data required for deep learning, and its scenario-based interconnection provides a foundation for the rapid implementation of AI; AI converts the massive data generated after analysis and decision-making into Value, in turn, guides the efficiency improvement of IoT applications.
For IoT, 5G is not only an upgrade of mobile communication technology, but also the infrastructure of the new era. From a macro perspective, 5G and AI are important tools for empowering IoT. For AIoT, the development of AI technology has brought more possibilities to the AIoT industry, and connectivity can make these possibilities better realized in scenarios. Therefore, in the development process of AIoT, AI and connectivity collaborate with each other and integrate with each other to a certain extent.
The development of connection technology promotes the development and progress of AI technology to a certain extent. In the 4G era, the mobile Internet has promoted the development of AI, and related technical capabilities including algorithms and modeling have rapidly iterated. However, due to immature conditions in all aspects, the development of AI is still limited by data and computing power.
With the arrival of 5G, these limitations are resolved to an extent. In the 5G environment, the scale value of AI can be better demonstrated. 5G’s own characteristics of high bandwidth, low latency, and wide coverage make it possible to realize AI applications that were originally difficult to implement.
At the same time, AI can also bring good empowerment to 5G. Since AI has high requirements for edge computing capabilities and network transmission capabilities, it can promote the better development of 5G. Not only that, artificial intelligence, as a powerful intelligent analysis and processing technology, can also help solve the problems of complex 5G network architecture and low resource utilization, and play an important role in 5G terminals, access networks, bearer networks, core networks, edge computing, etc. Great value.
As AI and connectivity complement each other, communication modules, which mainly play a role in connectivity, also play a pivotal role in the AIoT industry.
¿Por qué los módulos son cada vez más importantes para el desarrollo de la IAoT?
In the AIoT era, a wide variety of industry applications have richer demands for connections, and their requirements for module products are also more diverse. For example, smart meters based on NB-IoT modules have become an important industry that has taken the lead in large-scale implementation in the AIoT era. Cat 1 modules have surged from almost blank to 12% of the market share in just one year, with higher Intelligent modules of computing power are also playing an increasingly critical role at the edge.
It can be said that all communication modules can be used to collect massive amounts of device data. Based on these data, companies can further conduct relevant analysis to bring value enhancement to the industry. Therefore, from this perspective, various types of communication modules are important parts of the AIoT industry.
In fact, application equipment based on AIoT technology has been implemented on a large scale, and modules play a key role in it. During the epidemic, smart medical carts equipped with Quectel’s 5G and smart module products can automatically push relevant information according to the patient’s condition; in the photovoltaic field, Quectel Cat 1 modules help the industry achieve remote monitoring, control operations and other functions , effectively improving the work efficiency and safety of photovoltaic power stations; in the field of Internet of Vehicles, Quectel’s car-scale modules and smart modules also play an important role in vehicle media, vehicle safety and other aspects.
As the development of AIoT continues to deepen – on the one hand, from 2G to 5G, module development is becoming more and more difficult, and the design complexity is getting higher and higher. For module manufacturers, they must first help end customers solve complex product intermediate processes and package chip certification, software and hardware interfaces, open platforms, etc. into a very simple middleware, so that end customers can focus on equipment and vertical applications. Therefore, the status of modules is getting higher and higher among AIoT equipment products.
On the other hand, AI also requires strong high-performance computing capabilities. By integrating CPUs with high edge computing capabilities, the module refines the industry’s AI needs. While meeting the more stringent demands of AI, it also reduces the development efficiency and cost of the entire industry chain.
However, the difficulty of fragmentation in the AIoT industry is still a hurdle that modules cannot overcome. The balance between customization and standardization has also become an important consideration in module development. As technology continues to mature, products will undoubtedly become more standardized, and standardized modules will be used in more and more industries; however, as technology continues to develop, end users will also generate new needs, there will be some customized needs.
Therefore, the coexistence of standardization and customization is also the long-term status quo of the module industry. In fact, there is no absolute boundary between standardized and customized modules. With the continuous development of technology, the two will continue to develop and integrate, which will also put forward higher requirements for module manufacturers.
What can module manufacturers do?
In the era of digital economy, AIoT has entered the real world with an unstoppable attitude. The accelerated commercial use of 5G will set off a new round of changes in intelligent terminal equipment and stimulate new demands in application fields. With the rise of 5G AIoT technology, the market demand for 5G smart products continues to increase. For module companies, while realizing the intelligent connection of all things, how to truly address the pain points of industry development will become the key to winning in the future.
For example, Quectel has jointly developed a smart water meter based on NB-IoT modules with the Digital RMB Research Institute and a water meter factory. Through the built-in digital RMB wallet, digital RMB payment algorithm, etc., the government can directly transfer subsidies to the water meter account , the water meter can also realize automatic payment according to the bill of the water meter factory, truly realizing the interconnection of all things and the intelligent connection of all things, thereby solving the country’s major people’s livelihood difficulties.
Not only that, Quectel also innovated and upgraded its 4G smart module products as early as the beginning of this year, releasing a new 5G smart module – SG500Q-CN, which combines 5G Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, big data and other technologies. , to help 5G IoT applications move towards more scenarios and realize the explosion of applications in all industries and fields such as industrial automation, intelligent security, smart cities, and rich media.
In addition, as the module’s capabilities become more and more perfect, more and more customers will encounter some new needs. For example, traditional IoT customers often face difficulties in antenna design and backend management during terminal design and device use. Quectel can provide them with one-stop solutions to make it easy for customers to get started.
Resuma
There is no doubt that AIoT is the development direction of IoT, and IoT also needs AI to increase its value. At the same time, 5G is a bridge connecting AI and IoT. Its high bandwidth, high reliability, low latency, and large connections have opened up a broader application field of AIoT, which also brings huge development opportunities to module manufacturers.
According to a report released by Marketsand Markets, the world’s second largest market research institution, the global AIoT market size was US$5.1 billion in 2019. By 2024, this number will grow to US$16.2 billion, with a compound annual growth rate of 26%. It can be seen that AIoT is still in its infancy, with opportunities and challenges coexisting, and innovation is always on the way. Cost-effective RTU