FM160 5G Sub6 GHz M.2 module

Technology
5G modules
Partner
Fibocom

The FM160 5G Sub-6 GHz M.2 module range is designed for equipment requiring high-throughput cellular connectivity in a standard embedded form factor. It is based on an X62 modem and supports both standalone and non-standalone 5G network architectures. Five variants cover Europe, Asia, Australia, North America, Japan, South Korea and China, including a dedicated North American private-network model. Depending on the variant, the range supports LTE and WCDMA fallback alongside 5G NR operation. Typical applications include fixed wireless access equipment, CPEs, industrial routers, outdoor units, set-top boxes, industrial PCs, robots and connected infrastructure. USB and PCIe connectivity support integration with Windows, Linux and Android host platforms. The M.2 dimensions and compatibility with the FM150 module can also support migration of existing hardware designs, subject to verification of bands, firmware and host requirements.

FM160 5G Sub6 GHz M.2 module

The FM160 range delivers 3GPP Release 16 5G NR Sub-6 GHz connectivity in a compact M.2 30 × 52 × 2.3 mm format for embedded broadband and industrial systems.

Five variants address different regional and deployment needs, including public-network and private-network use cases. Depending on model, the range supports 5G SA and NSA, LTE and WCDMA fallback, PCIe 4.0 and USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 host interfaces, optional VoLTE/VoNR, and multi-constellation GNSS.

Typical applications include fixed wireless access, CPEs, industrial routers, outdoor units, set-top boxes, industrial PCs, robots and other connected infrastructure.

Range features

A high level overview of what this range offers

  • 3GPP Release 16 with SA and NSA modes – Supports standalone 5G networks and deployments using LTE anchoring.
  • Five regional and application-specific variants – Allows the radio configuration to be matched to regional bands and approval requirements.
  • Up to 3,470 Mbps EN-DC downlink – Supports data-intensive broadband, video and industrial applications.
  • Up to 900 Mbps 5G SA uplink – Suitable for applications transferring substantial data from the edge.
  • Downlink 4 × 4 and selected uplink 2 × 2 NR MIMO – Supports multiple spatial data streams on specified bands.
  • 30 × 52 × 2.3 mm M.2 package – Provides a standard form factor for embedded cellular equipment.
  • FM150-compatible format – Can support migration from an earlier module generation after design validation.
  • USB 3.1/3.0/2.0 and PCIe 4.0 – Provides alternative high-speed connections to the host processor.
  • Multi-constellation GNSS on selected variants – Enables positioning using GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS.
  • Windows, Linux and Android drivers – Supports common embedded and computing platforms.
  • FOTA support – Allows deployed firmware to be updated remotely.
  • Optional VoLTE and VoNR – Enables voice capability where required and supported by the network configuration.

Downloads

for FM160 5G Sub6 GHz M.2 module

pdf
FM160-NA Hardware Guide, version 1.1
Download

What’s in this range?

All the variants in the range and a comparison of what they offer

SpecificationFM160 range

Air interface

5G NR Sub-6 GHz

3GPP release

Release 16

Modem platform

X62

Network architecture

NSA and SA

Package

M.2

Dimensions

30.0 × 52.0 × 2.3 mm

Antenna configuration

4

Operating voltage

3.135 to 4.4 V; 3.8 V typical

Normal operating temperature

-30°C to +75°C

Form-factor compatibility

FM150

SpecificationFM160-EAUFM160-NAFM160-PNFM160-JKFM160-CN

Region

Asia excluding China, Europe and Australia

North America

North American private networks

Japan and South Korea

China

5G NR bands

n1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/75/76/77/78

n2/5/12/14/25/30/41/48/66/70/71/77

n48/78

n1/3/7/8/28/41/77/78/79

CN-0x: n1/28/41/78/79; CN-1x: n1/3/5/8/28/41/77/78/79

LTE FDD bands

B1/3/5/7/8/20/28/32

B2/4/5/12/13/29/30/66/71

Not available

B1/3/5/7/8/18/19/21/26/28

B1/3/5/8

LTE TDD bands

B38/40/41/42/43

B41/46 LAA/48

Not available

B39/41/42

B34/38/39/40/41

WCDMA bands

B1/5/8

Not available

Not available

Not available

B1/8

5G NR SA peak rate

2,470 Mbps downlink / 900 Mbps uplink

2,470 Mbps downlink / 900 Mbps uplink

2,470 Mbps downlink / 900 Mbps uplink

2,470 Mbps downlink / 900 Mbps uplink

2,470 Mbps downlink / 900 Mbps uplink

5G NR EN-DC peak rate

3,470 Mbps downlink / 555 Mbps uplink

3,470 Mbps downlink / 555 Mbps uplink

Not available

3,470 Mbps downlink / 555 Mbps uplink

3,470 Mbps downlink / 555 Mbps uplink

LTE peak rate

1,600 Mbps downlink / 211 Mbps uplink

1,600 Mbps downlink / 211 Mbps uplink

Not available

1,600 Mbps downlink / 211 Mbps uplink

1,600 Mbps downlink / 211 Mbps uplink

GNSS

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS

Not available

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS

USB

USB 3.1/3.0 and USB 2.0

USB 3.1/3.0 and USB 2.0

USB 3.1/3.0 and USB 2.0

USB 3.1/3.0 and USB 2.0

USB 3.1/3.0 and USB 2.0

PCIe

PCIe 4.0

PCIe 4.0

PCIe 4.0

PCIe 4.0

PCIe 4.0

Voice

Optional VoLTE and VoNR

Optional VoLTE and VoNR

Optional VoLTE and VoNR

Optional VoLTE and VoNR

Optional VoLTE and VoNR

Operating-system drivers

Windows, Linux and Android

Windows, Linux and Android

Windows, Linux and Android

Windows, Linux and Android

Windows, Linux and Android

Regulatory approvals

CE, RCM and Anatel

FCC and IC

Not listed

TELEC, JATE and KC

CCC, SRRC, NAL and RoHS

SpecificationFM160-NA

Weight

Approximately 7.8 g

Processor

Quad-core Arm Cortex-A7, up to 1.5 GHz

Memory

4 Gbit LPDDR4X and 4 Gbit NAND flash

SIM configuration

Dual SIM, 1.8 V or 3 V; SIM1 USIM and SIM2 eSIM/USIM

ADC input range

0 to 1.45 V

Extended operating temperature

-40°C to +85°C; performance may fall outside 3GPP specifications

Storage temperature

-40°C to +85°C

Recommended storage conditions

23 ±5°C and less than 60% relative humidity

Recommended storage life

12 months under the stated storage conditions

FAQs

for FM160 5G Sub6 GHz M.2 module

Yes. All five variants support 5G NR SA and NSA operation. EN-DC throughput is listed for the EAU, NA, JK and CN variants, while the PN private-network variant is specified for SA operation without an EN-DC rate.

FM160-EAU covers Europe, Australia and Asian markets outside China. Band support, network approval, operator requirements and firmware configuration should still be checked for the intended country and network.

No. The FM160 range is specified for 5G NR Sub-6 GHz operation. Applications requiring mmWave connectivity need a different radio module.

No. FM160-EAU supports LTE and WCDMA, while FM160-NA and FM160-JK support LTE without WCDMA. FM160-CN supports LTE and WCDMA, whereas FM160-PN is specified only for 5G NR bands n48 and n78.

The specified 5G SA peak rate is 2,470 Mbps downlink and 900 Mbps uplink. Variants supporting EN-DC are rated at up to 3,470 Mbps downlink and 555 Mbps uplink, while supported LTE configurations reach 1,600 Mbps downlink and 211 Mbps uplink.

The range supports USB 3.1/3.0, USB 2.0, PCIe 4.0, GPIO, UIM, I2S and MIPI. UART, SPI, I²C, SDIO and RGMII are not listed as available in the current range specification.

GNSS is available on FM160-EAU, FM160-NA, FM160-JK and FM160-CN, with GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou and QZSS support. FM160-PN does not include GNSS.

The FM160 uses the same stated M.2 dimensions and is described as compatible with the FM150 form factor. Engineers should still verify the pin allocation, power behaviour, antenna design, supported bands, host drivers and software before treating it as a drop-in replacement.

The normal operating range is -30°C to +75°C. The FM160-NA hardware guide also defines an extended range of -40°C to +85°C, but notes that radio performance may fall outside 3GPP specifications within that extended range.

No. For FM160-NA deployments using FCC or IC approval, the host design must meet the applicable antenna, separation, labelling and emissions conditions. Changes to the approved antenna arrangement or use in other installation categories can require further assessment or authorisation.