Wireless energy harvesting is rapidly gaining traction in the Internet of Things (IoT) industry as companies look for alternatives to traditional batteries and wired power. While there are several ways to enable energy harvesting, Radio Frequency (RF) harvesting has emerged as a transformative method.

The introduction of 5G Reduced Capability (RedCap) modules marks a critical step in the evolution of Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity. Positioned as a bridge from Long Term Evolution (LTE) to 5G, RedCap promises simplified, cost-efficient solutions for IoT devices across industries. However, ABI Research believes the viability and adoption of 5G RedCap hinges on four key factors:

5G New Radio (NR) Reduced Capability (RedCap) will revolutionize cellular connectivity by simplifying and lowering the cost of 5G for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The technology was finalized in The Third Generation Partnership Project’s (3GPP) Release 17 (R17). It is designed to facilitate a smooth 5G migration path for power-constrained devices currently using Long Term Evolution (LTE) Cat-4 and LTE Cat-6.