Nordic Semiconductor Launches RF-Focused Dev Kit for NTN IoT
Nordic Semiconductor has unveiled its nRF9151 SMA Development Kit, alongside new modem firmware that introduces 3GPP Release 17 NB-IoT NTN capabilities, the company’s first official step into direct-to-satellite IoT.
Unlike standard evaluation boards, the SMA version of the nRF9151 DK is engineered specifically for RF-heavy NTN use cases. By replacing onboard antennas with SMA connectors, it claims to enable direct connection to high-gain external antennas, lab-grade RF characterisation, and more accurate modelling of weak-signal scenarios typical of satellite links
This should make the kit valuable for testing IoT deployments in remote, obstructed, or low-SNR environments where NTN links are most needed.
The newly released modem firmware adds 3GPP Rel-17 NB-IoT NTN (direct-to-satellite), LTE-M and terrestrial NB-IoT, and integrated GNSS. This positions the nRF9151 as a flexible hybrid terrestrial–satellite module, supporting emerging NTN ecosystems and enabling developers to begin validating real-world D2D IoT behaviour.
With NTN work demanding precise RF control critical for managing Doppler, long link distances, and variable propagation conditions seen in LEO NTN systems. The DK ships with:
LTE/NTN antennas from Taoglas
GNSS antennas from Kyocera
IoT SIMs equipped with terrestrial and satellite trial data (Deutsche Telekom, Onomondo, Monogoto)
The platform is fully integrated into the nRF Connect SDK, supporting rapid prototyping for NTN, DECT NR+, and hybrid IoT applications.