UBX100 is a sub-GHz solution for smart meters, optimized for
Wireless M-Bus. It enables ultra low-power and
reliable
long-range connectivity. This single-chip transceiver is designed to complement NXP’s wireless portfolio for
industrial
applications, extending into the sub-GHz domain to support smart utility and infrastructure applications.
Smart meters have gone a long way toward making things easier and more transparent for both consumers and businesses.
The advent of automatic meter reading (AMR) allowed data on consumption,
diagnostics
and status to be sent to
utility
companies, or collected periodically in ‘drive-by’ site visits.
Automated Meter Reading (AMR)
AMR is a technology used to collect consumption, diagnostic and status data from utility meters (electric, gas or
water) and transfer that data to a central database for billing, troubleshooting and analyzing. Typically a one-way
transmission model, AMR removed the need for manual meter reading, minimized human error, improved billing cycles
and
enhanced operational efficiencies.
But energy systems are evolving with a growing need for real-time usage data, remote updates, fault detection and
load
balancing.
Wireless M-Bus, Ultra-Low Power Operation and AMI Efficiency
The capabilities of AMR are limited, so cities and utility companies are increasingly turning to advanced metering
infrastructure (AMI), a networking technology of fixed network meter systems that go beyond AMR into remote utility
management with real time capabilities.
In Europe, Wireless Meter-Bus (Wireless M-Bus) has been a leading standard for remote meter reading for more than a
decade, and uses a
star
topology to connect hundreds of endpoint sensors either to a central gateway or to mobile metering data collector
handheld units for "drive-by" meter reading. With this scalable approach, networks can include thousands or more
devices, making reliability and power efficiency increasingly important. Submetering is also growing, with
individual
meters monitoring energy, gas or water usage across different tenants, departments or equipment within a building or
industrial facility.
Meeting these requirements, NXP developed a new ultra-low power RF transceiver—the UBX100. It is optimized for
today’s
smart metering needs and is ready for tomorrow’s next-generation smart city requirements.
UBX100 is a single-chip, sub-GHz radio modem that supports Wireless M-Bus communication in modes stationary (S),
compact (C) and transmit (T),
with
output power up to 14 dBm and ultra-low power consumption of 11 mA.
Our goal with the UBX100 was to provide an optimized and scalable system solution that customers find easy to
use,
enabling accelerated design cycles and shorter time to market
Frank Graeber, Product Marketing Manager at NXP.
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless M-Bus solution.
Ready-To-Use Full System Solution
UBX100 is a state-of-the-art solution, designed to work seamlessly with NXP’s MCX microcontroller portfolio, and
is
supported through the MCUXpresso development environment and MCX FRDM
board ecosystem. With the reassurance of NXPs
single-source hardware and software, developers are further served by STACKFORCE’s OMS® Wireless
M-Bus protocol
stack .
This is fully compliant with OMS® v4.5.1 and EN 1757-3/-4/-7 standards and enables seamless bidirectional
communication.
- Support for wM-MBus modes S, T and C
- Encryption modes 5, 7, and 10 (Security profiles A, B and D)
- Full support for Annex C (“Sensor”) and Annex M (“OMS® use cases”)
- Optimized TRX timing for extended battery life
Developers can explore the stack via an evaluation download license included in the UBX100 SDK for a range of
metering
and sensor applications.
OM-UBX100-001 is the development platform for the UBX100, compatible with the MCX MCU FRDM
board. Get started with the
OM-UBX100-001 today.
Block diagram for the UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless M-Bus solution.For a
better experience, download the
block diagram.
Key UBX100 Features
- Ultra-Low Power Consumption: Deep sleep current as low as 600 nA and receive (RX) power consumption of 11 mA
- High Output Power: Up to +14 dBm output at 29 mA
- wM-MBus Mode Support: Supports modes S, C and T, compliant with ETSI, FCC and ARIB regulations
- Compact Package: Available in a 7x7 mm HVQFN48 package
- Operating Temperature Range: -40 °C to +85 °C
- SPI Interface: 5-wire SPI interface supporting up to 2 Mbit/s
Wi-SUN Support This Year
While UBX100 is already fully optimized for Wireless M-Bus, it is also designed to support Wi-SUN FAN, which NXP
will implement through an upcoming software upgrade in H2 2025. Wi-SUN support is part of NXP’s broader wireless
strategy, with the Wi-SUN Alliance enabling utility companies, municipalities and
governments to innovate into the future.
Wi-SUN
is seen as a future-proof approach that addresses the technical and operational needs of the growing networks of
smart
meters and street lighting:
- Enables long-range, self-healing mesh networks for maximum coverage
- High node density and efficient traffic handling, ideal for large AMI and city-wide networks
- Open, IP-based architecture with seamless integration into existing IT systems
- Interoperability across multiple vendors, enabling flexible and future-safe deployments
Wi-SUN FAN is built on globally recognized standards like IEEE 802.15.4-2015 and IPv6. It supports modern Internet of
Things (IoT) and
infrastructure
needs, extending beyond simple meter reading. With native support for highly secure internet protocol (IP)
communication, it is ideal
for
firmware
updates, diagnostics and two-way control, while ensuring regulatory compliance.
UBX100 Sub-GHz wireless for smart meters, including electric, gas or water.
Future-Proofing Security with Strong Partners
Notably, Wi-SUN FAN also offers a strong foundation for those industrial IoT and smart city systems that must
meet
strict cybersecurity requirements. To support this transition, NXP has partnered with Exegin , a long-standing
software
company with deep roots in IEEE 802.15.4 development. As a leading provider of mesh
networking
solutions, Exegin specializes in Wi-SUN FAN and Zigbee, with flexible protocol stacks for a broad range of processor
architectures, advanced RISC machines (ARM), reduced instruction set computer (RISC), x86 (IA64). This ecosystem
also includes operating environments such as real-time RTOSes and preemptive UNIX-like systems, suitable
for everything from smart meters to city-scale infrastructure nodes
Our partnership with NXP spans years of collaboration on open standards, from Zigbee to Wi-SUN. We share a vision
of
secure, interoperable wireless infrastructure that scales from smart meters to entire cities. By combining
Exegin’s protocol stacks with the UBX100 and
NXP’s
broader wireless road map, manufacturers can move forward with confidence—knowing they’re building on proven
technology
and strong foundations.
Leslie Mulder, President, Exegin Technologies
In the move from mechanical meters to dynamic digital systems, the way utility companies track and manage energy is
changing. Similarly, cities are changing street lighting from being simple lights to being the backbone for a city
wide
communications system for data acquisition and control.
With UBX100, NXP enables that change in a ready-to-use sub-GHz chip that works seamlessly in a smart system
solution with our MCX microcontroller portfolio. For faster time to market, combined with unified hardware and
software
support, the UBX100 is the reliable choice.
