ARM-N8-Sigfox - 868MHz Sigfox RCZ1 OEM Module | ATIM
MPN: ARM-N8-Sigfox ✓ Active| Qty | Unit Price | Extended |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $38.5 | $38.50 |
| 10 | $35.2 | $352.00 |
| 100 | $31.8 | $3,180.00 |
| 500 | $28.4 | $14,200.00 |
| 1,000 | $25.1 | $25,100.00 |
ARM-N8-Sigfox Overview
A Sigfox module is a pre-certified radio modem that implements the Sigfox UNB physical and MAC layers so that developers can attach sensors and microcontrollers without dealing with RF compliance, whitening, or Listen-Before-Talk (LBT) requirements themselves. Within the broader IoT connectivity hierarchy, Sigfox sits alongside LoRaWAN and NB-IoT as one of the three dominant LPWAN technologies, and ATIM is a recognized Sigfox ecosystem vendor with RF expertise dating back to 2010. The ARM-N8-Sigfox is one variant in the ARM-N8 family that also includes ARM-N8-LP/LD (local ISM bridge) and ARM-N8-LoRa (LoRa/FSK dual-mode) modules sharing a common form factor and serial command interface.
Key features include 14 dBm conducted output power, an adaptive frequency agility algorithm for channel management, a transparent serial/RF bridge mode on the LP/LD variants, a built-in repeater function, multiple sleep/wake-up sources, and Listen-Before-Talk capability. The module is designed for ultra-low-power duty-cycled sensor nodes where battery life of multiple years is expected.
Typical applications include remote metering (water, gas, electricity), environmental and agricultural sensors, asset tracking, smart-city lighting controllers, and any battery-operated IoT endpoint that must communicate kilometers from the nearest base station. The narrowband receiver and 14 dBm transmit budget enable line-of-sight ranges exceeding 25 km at 869 MHz according to manufacturer documentation.
When designing with this module, allocate a UART interface for AT command control, leave room for a small helical or trace antenna matching network, and ensure the host MCU can wake the module via its wake sources. Check the host power supply for peak current during the three-redundant uplink bursts, which is significantly higher than the sleep current. The Sigfox message size cap of 12 bytes per uplink frame should be considered at the application layer.
Drop-in alternatives for ARM-N8-Sigfox — same package, pin-to-pin compatible. Different-package parts requiring PCB rework are excluded.
Quick Comparison Tool — Select alternative parts for side-by-side comparison:
ARM-N8-LD
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ARM-N8-LP
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ARM-N8-LoRa
✅ Drop-In📋 Reference alternative (not in catalog)
ARM-N8-Sigfox Specifications (manufacturer-published)
| Manufacturer | ATIM |
| Series | ARM-N8 Nano Transceiver |
| Function | Sigfox RCZ1 OEM radio module |
| Frequency Band | 868 MHz (RCZ1) |
| Modulation | Ultra Narrow Band (UNB), BPSK |
| RF Output Power | 14 dBm (25 mW) |
| Communication Mode | Half-duplex, bidirectional |
| Network Topology | Point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, Sigfox uplink |
| Sigfox RCZ Zone | RCZ1 (Europe 868 MHz) |
| Maximum Uplink Payload | 12 bytes per frame (Sigfox limit; larger messages fragmented) |
| Uplink Retransmissions | 3x per message on randomized channels |
| Host Interface | UART (AT command set) |
| Range (Line-of-Sight) | >25 km at 869 MHz (manufacturer claim) |
| Operating Mode | Sigfox cloud uplink + optional local P2P bridge (LP/LD variants) |
| Features | Listen-Before-Talk (LBT), Adaptive Frequency Agility (AFA), Repeater, Sleep/Wake sources |
| Certifications | Sigfox Partner Network certified (RCZ1) |
| Compliance | RoHS compliant (per Sigfox partner listing) |
ARM-N8-Sigfox Interfaces & Connectors
No manufacturer-published interface list is available for ARM-N8-Sigfox. Refer to the manufacturer documentation for connector and header details.
Refer to the manufacturer documentation for the full expansion header pinout and connector pin numbering.
Typical Applications
ARM-N8-Sigfox is suitable for 6 applications: Remote Utility Metering, Agricultural and Environmental Sensors, Asset Tracking and Fleet Logistics, Smart City Lighting and Infrastructure, Industrial IoT Sensor Networks, Building Automation and Alarm Panels.
Remote Utility Metering
The ARM-N8-Sigfox fits remote water, gas, and electricity metering because its 14 dBm conducted output and >150 dB link budget at 868 MHz allow battery-powered meters to communicate kilometers from the nearest Sigfox base station without recurring cellular fees. Each 12-byte uplink easily carries a meter reading plus index and tamper flags, and the module's built-in fragmentation handles any larger diagnostic payloads the meter firmware may emit. Low sleep current supports multi-year battery life on a single lithium cell. Designers should size the supply for the peak draw of the three-retransmit burst, schedule uplinks two or three times per day, and validate antenna placement against the meter housing material.
Recommended
Agricultural and Environmental Sensors
For soil moisture, weather stations, and greenhouse monitoring deployed across hectares of farmland, ARM-N8-Sigfox provides the long range needed to skip costly cellular or LoRa gateway infrastructure while still sending data to the Sigfox cloud. The 14 dBm output and high sensitivity enable field-edge nodes with small whip antennas to reach Sigfox base stations 5-15 km away in rural settings. The narrow 12-byte payload is well matched to typical sensor telemetry (temperature, humidity, moisture, battery voltage), and the module's adaptive frequency agility helps in noisy ISM environments near agricultural machinery. Sleep/wake sources allow solar-battery nodes to wake on a timer or external trigger.
Recommended
Asset Tracking and Fleet Logistics
Sigfox geolocation services complement ARM-N8-Sigfox for low-cost asset tracking without a GPS receiver, by triangulating uplink frames across the Sigfox base-station network. For trailers, containers, and pallets that move infrequently and need years of battery life, ARM-N8-Sigfox is more economical than cellular IoT alternatives. The 12-byte uplink is sufficient for an asset ID plus status flags, and the module's repeater function can extend coverage inside warehouses. Pair the module with a small accelerometer for motion-triggered wake-up to further extend battery life.
Recommended
Smart City Lighting and Infrastructure
Street-lamp controllers, waste-bin sensors, and parking-space monitors deployed city-wide benefit from the ARM-N8-Sigfox combination of long range, low cost, and managed cloud connectivity. Municipal lighting poles are typically within 5-10 km of a Sigfox base station in covered European cities, and the 14 dBm output provides ample link margin. The narrow payload accommodates lamp status and dimming feedback, and the module's small Nano form factor integrates easily inside IP67 luminaire housings. The Listen-Before-Talk feature complies with European ETSI duty-cycle regulations in shared ISM bands.
Recommended
Industrial IoT Sensor Networks
Factory-floor vibration, temperature, and pressure sensors can use ARM-N8-Sigfox to backhaul non-critical data to a cloud dashboard where cellular coverage is poor or where running a private LoRa network is impractical. The 868 MHz band penetrates typical industrial buildings better than 2.4 GHz alternatives, and the three-redundant uplink strategy tolerates occasional interference from welding equipment or motor drives. Engineers should still locate antennas above machinery and consider adding the module's repeater function to extend coverage into shielded areas.
Recommended
Building Automation and Alarm Panels
Wireless smoke-detector bridges, water-leak sensors, and HVAC fault reporters installed in retro-fit residential or commercial buildings benefit from ARM-N8-Sigfox's managed network and long battery life. With no need for a local gateway, installers simply mount the sensor and register its Sigfox device ID, dramatically simplifying multi-unit deployments. The 12-byte uplink easily carries an alarm code plus device serial number, and the optional downlink channel allows the cloud to send an acknowledgement or test command back to the sensor.
Recommended
Recommended Products Summary
Engineering reference data for ARM-N8-Sigfox — comparison, design guidance, and compliance information.
Selection Guide
Comparison with Alternatives
| Parameter | This Product | ARM-N8-LD | ARM-N8-LP | ARM-N8-LoRa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | ATIM | ATIM | ATIM | ATIM |
| Package / Form Factor | ARM-N8 Nano module (shared footprint) | ARM-N8 Nano module (shared footprint) | ARM-N8 Nano module (shared footprint) | ARM-N8 Nano module (shared footprint) |
| Frequency Band | 868 MHz (RCZ1) | 868 MHz (ISM) | 169 MHz (ISM) | 868 MHz (LoRa/FSK) |
| Connectivity Mode | Sigfox cloud uplink | Local P2P serial/RF bridge | Local P2P serial/RF bridge | LoRa / FSK dual mode |
| Network Subscription Required | Yes (Sigfox cloud) | No (local only) | No (local only) | Optional (private LoRaWAN or public) |
| Sigfox Certification | Yes (RCZ1) | No | No | No |
| Pin-to-Pin Compatible with ARM-N8-Sigfox | Yes (this product) | Yes - same Nano footprint and pinout | Yes - same Nano footprint and pinout | Yes - same Nano footprint and pinout |
Key Differentiators
- Sigfox Partner Network certified for RCZ1 (vs ARM-N8-LD)
- 868 MHz vs 169 MHz regional tuning (vs ARM-N8-LP)
- Sigfox vs LoRa connectivity choice (vs ARM-N8-LoRa)
Design Notes
Estimated: peak current during the three-redundant Sigfox uplink bursts at 14 dBm is materially higher than the sleep current (typical Sigfox modules draw 50-100 mA during TX bursts versus <2 uA in deep sleep). The host supply must be sized for these peaks; a 100 uF bulk capacitor near the module's VCC pin is recommended to absorb inrush. Budget duty cycle at 1-3 uplinks per day to achieve multi-year battery life on a 2.4 Ah primary cell.
Place the antenna connector or pad as close to the module's RF pin as possible and avoid running digital traces under the antenna keep-out area. The 868 MHz band is sensitive to ground-plane fragmentation - maintain a solid local ground under and around the module, with vias stitching the ground on both PCB sides if a 4-layer stackup is used. A mismatched antenna or poor ground return can easily cost 10 dB of link budget in real deployments.
Do not assume cross-brand Sigfox modules are drop-in replacements - each vendor uses different pinouts, AT command sets, and Sigfox ID provisioning flows. Always re-validate the host firmware and antenna matching network when substituting. Also be aware that the 12-byte Sigfox payload cap applies per frame, so larger JSON or CSV payloads require application-layer fragmentation. Finally, confirm RCZ zone coverage in your target country before design-in - this module is RCZ1 (Europe 868 MHz) only.
Compliance Information
RoHS compliance per Sigfox Partner Network product listing. REACH and conflict-minerals declarations not published in the available ATIM documentation. AEC-Q100 is not applicable to RF modules.
