EM9291 5G Sub6 GHz M.2 module

Yes. The EM9291 is a 5G NR Release 16 module that supports both standalone (SA) and non-standalone (NSA) network modes. This means it can connect to pure 5G networks as well as operate alongside LTE (in NSA mode), ensuring compatibility with current 5G deployments and future network upgrades.

The EM9291 provides automatic fallback to 4G LTE and 3G networks when a 5G signal is unavailable. It supports LTE-Advanced Pro (Cat-20) with extensive band coverage, and 3G UMTS, so devices stay connected virtually everywhere by dropping to the next available network technology without user intervention.

The module’s built-in GNSS receiver supports multiple satellite systems: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou. It can receive signals on dual frequency bands (L1 and L5), which improves location accuracy and reliability. This multi-constellation support is useful for applications that require precise positioning or navigation capabilities.

Under ideal network conditions, the EM9291 can achieve download speeds of up to 4.9 Gbps and upload speeds up to 660 Mbps on 5G Sub-6 GHz networks. Actual data rates will depend on the mobile network capabilities (such as available bandwidth and carrier aggregation) and signal conditions. On 4G LTE networks (Cat-20 fallback), it can still deliver substantial throughput (up to hundreds of Mbps) to support high-data applications.

Yes. The EM9291 is an industrial-grade module designed to operate in harsh conditions. It has an extended operating temperature range from -40 °C to +85 °C, making it suitable for outdoor equipment and industrial use cases. The hardware has been tested against vibration, thermal stress, and other environmental factors to ensure reliable performance in rugged applications such as industrial routers, smart city devices, and remote monitoring systems.

The EM9291 comes in an M.2 form factor (Type 3042), which is a small mezzanine card commonly used in laptops, routers, and IoT gateways. It connects to the host board via a standard M.2 socket and communicates primarily over a USB 3.1 interface (for data, control, and firmware updates). Additionally, it provides a PCIe Gen3 interface (1 lane) that can be used for certain data paths or future use. This standardized form factor and interface make it straightforward to integrate into existing systems or carrier boards.

Yes. The EM9291 supports dual SIM functionality via two physical SIM interfaces, allowing one module to be provisioned with two different SIM cards (with single standby, meaning it can switch between two networks as needed for coverage or cost, but one SIM is active at a time). In addition, the module offers an optional embedded SIM (eSIM) capability through a built-in eUICC. This eSIM can be provisioned with operator profiles remotely, enabling devices to swap or add carrier subscriptions over-the-air without needing a physical SIM swap. These features give product developers flexibility in managing connectivity to different mobile network operators.

The EM9291 is pre-certified with many major network operators and regulatory bodies globally. For example, it has carrier approvals from AT&T (including FirstNet public safety network), Verizon, T-Mobile, Telstra, NTT Docomo, SoftBank, and others, depending on regional variants. On the regulatory side, it complies with standards and certifications such as FCC (USA), IC (Canada), GCF and PTCRB (global certification forums), KCC (Korea), JATE/Telec (Japan), and the EU Radio Equipment Directive (RED) for Europe. These approvals help speed up the device certification process, allowing integrators to deploy the module in end-products across multiple countries with fewer additional tests.

Yes. The EM9291 was designed with a similar M.2 interface and software architecture as earlier EM Series modules. It is pin-compatible with its 5G predecessor (EM9191) and provides a straightforward upgrade path from the 4G LTE EM7690 module. This means if you have hardware designed for EM9191 or EM7690, you can often replace or upgrade to EM9291 with minimal changes, immediately adding 5G capability. The continuity in form factor and interfaces simplifies migration from 4G to 5G in existing designs.