Cavli CQ16: A Compact LTE Cat 1bis Module

As carriers around the world continue to phase out legacy 2G and 3G networks, IoT solution makers are under pressure to migrate their devices to more future-proof connectivity — without blowing up their power budgets, board space, or bill of materials. Cavli Wireless’s new CQ16 module is aimed squarely at that transition.

What Is the CQ16?

The CQ16 is a series of LTE Cat 1bis modules built to the 3GPP Release 14 standard, designed specifically for low-cost, low-power IoT and M2M applications. It’s a natural next step for OEMs who’ve relied on 2G or 3G for years and now need a straightforward upgrade path to LTE — one that doesn’t require redesigning an entire product around a bulkier or more power-hungry chipset.

At just 17.7 × 15.8 × 2.5 mm in an LGA package, the CQ16 is small enough to slot into space-constrained designs, making it a strong fit for compact, battery-powered devices.

Key Features

• 3GPP Release 14 Cat 1bis connectivity — a solid middle ground between full LTE and NB-IoT/LTE-M, offering higher throughput than low-power-wide-area options while still keeping cost and power consumption in check.
• Peak speeds of 10 Mbps down / 5 Mbps up, with UART support up to 3 Mbps — enough headroom for applications that need more than simple telemetry.
• Layered power-saving modes — Sleep 1 and Sleep 2 for lighter-touch power savings, Hibernate for the lowest possible draw, and DRX/eDRX for the most operational flexibility at moderate power draw.
• Optional integrated eSIM and GNSS — available depending on variant, simplifying provisioning and enabling location-aware use cases without extra components.
• DFOTA support — remote firmware updates over the air, useful for fleets that are hard to physically access after deployment.
• FreeRTOS-based — a lightweight, well-established RTOS for embedded development.
• Rich interface set — 3x UART, 1x USB 2.0, 1x USIM, 2x ADC, I2S, I2C, SPI, 3x GPIO, and a main antenna connector, giving designers flexibility for sensor and peripheral integration.

Four Regional Variants

Rather than a one-size-fits-all module, the CQ16 ships in four regional SKUs, each tuned to local spectrum:

This regional approach lets OEMs deploy a consistent hardware platform globally while still meeting local network requirements. Each region is offered in sample-ready variants (e.g., CQ16-NA-S00N, CQ16-EU-S00N) with a choice of flash configuration, and further variant codes distinguish combinations of GNSS and eSIM support — so teams can order exactly the configuration their product needs rather than paying for capabilities they won’t use.

Where It Fits

Cavli is positioning the CQ16 for applications where legacy 2G/3G modules have traditionally dominated, including point-of-sale solutions, remote monitoring, and utility metering. More broadly, the module targets healthcare and e-health, retail, smart city, energy and utilities, safety and security, and manufacturing use cases — a wide spread that reflects just how many industries are still leaning on 2G/3G infrastructure today.

These are exactly the categories most exposed to 2G/3G sunset timelines, so a drop-in-style LTE Cat 1bis option with familiar power characteristics is a compelling proposition for OEMs racing against carrier shutdown deadlines.

Simplified Fleet Management

The CQ16 is designed to onboard easily onto Cavli’s Hubble device and connectivity management platform, giving OEMs a path to manage global deployments — devices, connectivity, and lifecycle — from a single pane of glass rather than stitching together separate tools per region or carrier.

The Takeaway

For product teams still running 2G or 3G modules and watching sunset deadlines approach, the CQ16 offers a relatively low-friction migration path: familiar low-power behavior, a compact footprint, multi-region band support, and platform-level device management, all wrapped around a standards-based Cat 1bis radio. It’s a module built less to chase cutting-edge throughput and more to make the legacy-to-LTE transition as painless as possible.

Learn more about the CQ16 LTE Cat 1bis IoT module and Cavli’s broader range of IoT connectivity solutions.

Get in touch for orders or any queries: sales@rfdesign.co.za / +27 21 555 8400

Courtesy of Cavli Wireless