Effortlessly deploy your IoT applications in remote areas without being limited by the range of Wi-Fi networks. The Omega2 LTE is the latest addition to the Omega2 family of Linux IoT computers, adding built-in high-speed 4G LTE cellular data connectivity and GNSS global positioning.

Smaller than a credit card, the Omega2 LTE is an all-inclusive, standalone computing device for developing cellular IoT applications. Just add a Nano-SIM card with a data plan, LTE antennas, and power it all up via USB or battery. The Linux network stack makes the switch between Wi-Fi and cellular data seamless to user applications. Take your existing NodeJS or Python IoT project outside the building with minimal effort! Or, use it as a fully-customizable cellular gateway for other Wi-Fi devices, deployed remotely or on the go.

Cellular Network

The Omega2 LTE features an LTE Cat 4 modem that delivers 150 Mbps downlink and 50 Mbps uplink data rates. This same modem features the GNSS Receiver. It enables use cases that are not limited by the range of Wi-Fi networks since the 4G LTE data connection provides internet connectivity as long as there is cellular signal. And the Global Model even supports world-wide connectivity.

Positioning, Available Globally

In addition to the cellular connectivity, the Omega2 LTE features a high-sensitivity, multi-constellation GNSS receiver, capable of retrieving positioning and accurate time data worldwide.

The Omega2 LTE supports all of the common positioning systems:

This further extends the possible use cases to include real-time asset and fleet tracking. Combined with the LTE data connection, it’s easy to build applications that report geoposition, an accurate timestamp, and other data to remote servers.

Even without an LTE data connection, the Omega2 LTE can determine its geoposition and the accurate time, enabling power-saving by locally caching data and turning on the LTE data connection to report data on an interval.

Enabling GNSS and reading the data can be done in just two commands:

Wi-Fi Networking

Like all Omega2 family devices, the Omega2 LTE is a whiz at Wi-Fi networking. The Wi-Fi interface can simultaneously host its own Wi-Fi access point and connect to existing Wi-Fi networks. With the addition of an Ethernet Expansion board, the network capabilities can extend to wired networks as well.

The LTE data connection benefits from the flexibility of the network stack as well. The network stack takes care of the low-level configuration of the LTE data connection, making the process easy for the user and seamless for any applications. In addition, the data connection can be shared over the Omega’s Wi-Fi access point with other Wi-Fi enabled devices.

Features & Specifications

Board Features - Front

A. 30-pin expansion headerB. LTE modem + GPS receiverC. LTE status LEDsD. LTE & GNSS U.FL antenna connectorsE. JST-PH battery connectorF. Power managementG. Power switchH. USB-C (power & serial)I. Programmable buttonJ. Omega2S+ moduleK. Wi-Fi chip antennaL. Omega status LEDs

Board Features - Back

A. Nano-SIM slotB. MicroSD slot

The Omega2 LTE specializes in wireless networking, sporting 4G LTE connectivity and Wi-Fi capabilities, making it ideal for outdoor and remote sensor hub applications.

Ideal Hardware for IoT, Inspired by your Feedback

Since we started making IoT hardware in 2015, we’ve taken great care to listen to feedback from our community of developers, hackers, and makers to learn what they really need from their IoT devices and to make sure that community feedback drives our product decisions.

Battery Manager for Portability and Back-up

Community Feedback: Portability and resilience is important for IoT devices

The Omega2 LTE is flexible when it comes to power sources: it can be powered by LiPo batteries or USB power. An on-board battery management chip enables the use of LiPo batteries as the main power source, and will recharge the batteries when connected to USB power. Use a battery to make your project portable or to act as a back-up power supply.

Command-line Access

Community Feedback: Easy access for configuration and debugging

The on-board USB-to-serial chip provides reliable, always-on access to the Omega’s command-line, which is invaluable for configuration and debugging device operation. Alternatively, you can securely connect a command-line terminal through the local network using SSH.

MicroSD Slot for Extra Storage

Community Feedback: Expandable storage

Use the microSD card slot on the bottom of the device to add gigabytes and gigabytes of additional storage to your Omega2 LTE. The ability to add storage space is essential for storing any assets created by the device — log files, images, etc. — or, occasionally, when project requirements change leading to the application taking up more space than originally planned.

Status LEDs

Community Feedback: Easily check the status of the device

The Omega2 LTE uses a series of LEDs to provide visual feedback on the current status of the device:

Status LEDIndicates

A. Green Power LED	Running on battery
B. Amber System status LED	Whether Linux OS has booted
C. Blue Wi-Fi status LED	Connection to a Wi-Fi network is active
D. Green Cellular network status	Connection to cellular network is active
E. Amber Cellular network activity	Transmitting and receiving cellular data

Building on our Omega2 Platform

The Omega2 LTE is the latest step in our community’s evolving vision for an IoT computer. It adds a new dimension of connectivity while also building on everything we’ve done with the Omega2 platform since it was first introduced in 2016. The result is a device that allows you to jump-start your development with a quick and easy setup, a familiar Linux environment, and support for your favorite programming languages.

Up and Running in Under Five Minutes

The flash storage on the Omega2 LTE comes pre-loaded with a Linux operating system. To get started with your new Omega2 LTE, you only need the Omega2 LTE itself, a USB-C cable, and your computer - no keyboards, monitors, or anything else. Take a few minutes to step through the browser-based setup wizard and you’re ready to start building your cellular IoT device.

Use the command-line to configure and enable the LTE data connection:

Running OpenWrt Linux

The Omega2 LTE runs the latest OpenWrt embedded Linux operating system, which provides a flexible and powerful foundation for building your cellular IoT applications. Develop your project in your favorite language: Python, GoLang, NodeJS, PHP, C, C++, and many more are all supported. There’s also a wealth of existing packages available that can be installed with the built-in package manager so you don’t have to start from scratch.

The Linux network stack manages all of the connectivity interfaces the Omega2 LTE offers — LTE data, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet — making it easy to manage without knowledge of the low-level details and, most importantly, making internet connectivity transparent to your applications.

OnionOS: Browser-based & User Friendly

Hosted on the Omega2 LTE, OnionOS provides an intuitive user interface through your browser. Write code, run commands, and use apps to interact with your Omega2 LTE, no installation required.

The Terminal and Code Editor apps make OnionOS a development environment that works on any computer. Use it for initial development or as an easily-accessible IDE for projects that have already been deployed.

With the OnionOS App Manager, you can install more OnionOS apps and do even more from your browser.

Ecosystem of Expansions

With extensive I/O, it is easy to interface the Omega2 LTE with other devices and components depending on the needs of your application.

On top of that, it has the benefit of being compatible with the existing ecosystem of Omega2 expansions. This ecosystem of plug-and-play additions are a modular way of adding specific functionality to your device.

Above expansions: NFC/RFID, ADC, OLED

Above expansions: Servo (PWM), Ethernet, Proto

ExpansionDescription

NFC/RFID	Standard 13.56 MHz RFID and NFC reader and writer
ADC	Four-channel, 16-bit analog to digital converter
OLED Screen	Low-power, 0.96" diagonal, monochrome display with 128 x 64 pixels
Servo (PWM)	Generate up to 16 different, free-running, pulse-width-modulated signals
Ethernet	Wired 10/100 network connectivity via a standard Ethernet cable
Proto	A blank slate of 185 pads on which to solder your own circuit

The IoT landscape is evolving and extending beyond the reach of Wi-Fi networks. The Omega2 LTE builds on everything that makes the Omega2 platform great, and adds cellular connectivity, opening the door to a variety of remote and outdoor use cases.

Two Variants for Global Compatibility

The Omega2 LTE is comes in two variants: a model that is compatible with cellular networks in North America, and a Global model that supports network bands around the world:

Cellular TechnologyOmega2 LTEOmega2 LTE Global Model

4G LTE (FDD)	B2, B4, B5, B12, B13, B14, B66, B71	B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B7, B8, B12, B13, B18, B19, B20, B25, B26, B28
4G LTE (TDD)	-	B38, B39, B40, B41
3G UMTS WCDMA	B2, B4, B5	B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B8, B19
Modem	Quectel EC-25AF	Quectel EG-25G

Neither Omega2 LTE models are locked to a specific cellular network provider and both will work with any provider as long as it supports the provider’s main band.

Omega2 LTEOmega2 LTE Global Model

USA	AT&T	Yes	Yes
	T-Mobile	Yes	Yes
	Verizon	Yes	Yes

Canada	Rogers Wireless	Yes	Yes
	Fido	Yes	Yes
	Telus Mobility	Yes	Yes
	Bell Mobility	Yes	Yes

Europe	Orange		Yes
	Vodafone (Italy, UK, Germany, Spain)		Yes
	O2 (Germany, UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia)		Yes
	T-Mobile (Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czech Republic)		Yes
	SFR France		Yes
	EE UK		Yes
	Three (UK, Ireland)		Yes

Asia			Yes

South America			Yes

Africa			Yes

Oceania			Yes

To connect, insert a Nano-SIM in the slot on the bottom of the device and use our command-line utility to specify the APN (Access Point Name) of your cellular provider.

Antennas

To offer flexibility in choosing antennas, the Omega2 LTE features U.FL antenna connectors for connecting two LTE antennas and a GNSS antenna. The Omega2 LTE needs these antennas to connect to cellular networks and GNSS satellites. GNSS is best suited for outdoor use, as it’s not very likely to lock on to any positioning satellites when indoors.

Featuring three U.FL connectors:

1. 4G LTE Main2. GNSS3. 4G LTE Diversity

You’ll notice there are two antennas marked 4G: one is the main antenna, and the other is a diversity antenna. The main and diversity antennas work together to improve the quality and reliability of the wireless link. While it is possible to just use the main antenna and get cellular reception, using the diversity antenna as well will increase reception, especially indoors.

We’re offering two antenna options so you can tailor the Omega2 LTE to suit your needs.

3-in-1 Flex Antenna

This Onion-branded antenna sports three distinct antennas in one package: main and diversity 4G LTE antennas that support global cellular frequencies, and a GNSS (GPS & GLONASS) antenna. The antenna is physically flexible and features an adhesive on the bottom, making it a great form-factor for use with enclosures or when space is at a premium. Overall, it’s excellent for portable projects.

3-in-1 Flex Antenna

Cellular Coverage	Worldwide 4G LTE, 3G, and 2G support
Supported Cellular Bands	B1-B23, B25-B29, B33-B42
LTE Peak Gain	3.4 - 5.2 dBi depending on the band
GNSS Coverage	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou, QZSS
GNSS Frequency Range	1570 - 1610 MHz
GNSS Peak Gain	0.8 dBi
Impedance	50 ohm
Dimensions	224 x 20 mm
Mechanical	Flexible and foldable, 3M adhesive on the bottom

Pro Antenna Kit

This kit features three separate antennas for the best possible reception. There are two standing, global LTE antennas and a patch GNSS antenna. All antennas feature magnetic mounts, making this kit ideal for mounting on vehicles or for permanent installations.

LTE AntennaGNSS Antenna

Supported Protocols	Worldwide 4G, 3G, and 2G Support	GPS, BeiDou
Frequency Range	700, 800, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, 2000, 2300, 2400, and 2600 MHz	1575.42 +/- 4 MHz
Gain	12 dBi	3 dBi
Impedance	50 ohm	50 ohm
Antenna Dimensions	31 cm tall	38 x 46 x 12 mm
Cable Length	2 m	2 m

Use-cases

The Omega2 LTE has all the hardware and software you need for:

Real-Time Asset Tracking

Use high-level programming languages to quickly write device-side programs for real-time asset tracking or even fleet management. With the GNSS receiver providing location data and accurate time-stamps, and the LTE data connection providing internet connectivity, it’s straightforward to write an application in Python, NodeJS, GoLang, and others to report asset location details to an online server.

Remote Sensing

Expand the reach of your IoT projects and deployments to anywhere that has cellular reception with the Omega2 LTE. Use your favorite programming language to collect data from I²C, one-wire, SPI, digital, or analog sensors, and report it to an online service or API endpoint. Then, add a SIM card to report the data over the cellular network, and you can deploy your cellular IoT sensor device almost effortlessly.

The Omega2 LTE provides a platform for software developers to leverage their experience with Javascript and NodeJS to create IoT hardware. This includes remote sensor nodes, sensor hubs, or remote actuators that take action based on remote commands.

Network Sharing

The Omega2 LTE can share its cellular data connection with other devices. Use one command to enable cellular data sharing over the Omega’s Wi-Fi acces point:

Or, add an Ethernet Expansion board and provide wired internet connectivity over Ethernet:

Comparisons

We’ve been iterating on the Omega IoT computer since 2015. The Omega2 LTE is the first of our line of IoT computers to add built-in cellular connectivity and positioning capabilities, while building on everything our community has come to love about the Omega2 family.

Within the Onion Family

Omega2 LTE Omega2 ProOmega2+ on Expansion DockOmega2 on Power Dock 2

Processor	580 MHz MIPS	580 MHz MIPS	580 MHz MIPS	580 MHz MIPS
Memory	128 MB	128 MB RAM & 384 MB Swap File	128 MB	64 MB
Storage	32 MB	8 GB	32 MB	16 MB
Wi-Fi	2.4 GHz b/g/n Access Point & Client	2.4 GHz b/g/n Access Point & Client	2.4 GHz b/g/n Access Point & Client	2.4 GHz b/g/n Access Point & Client
Cellular	High-speed 4G LTE built-in	No	No	No
Global Positioning	GNSS support built-in	No	No	No
Battery Management	LiPo (use and charge)	LiPo (use and charge)	None	LiPo (use and charge)
Expandable Storage	Yes, microSD slot	No	Yes, microSD slot	No
USB Serial	Yes, USB-C port	Yes, Micro-USB port	Yes, Micro-USB port	No
USB 2.0 Host	None	Yes, one	Yes, one	Yes, one
Power Requirements	5 V, 500 mA USB	5 V, 500 mA USB	5 V, 500 mA USB	5 V, 500 mA USB

You can think of the Omega2 LTE as an Omega2+ built into a Dock that combines the Expansion Dock, Power Dock 2, an upgraded GPS Expansion, and a 4G LTE modem.

Among Other Offerings

As a small, standalone, all-in-one device featuring a microprocessor, Linux OS, Wi-Fi-connectivity, high-speed 4G LTE cellular data connectivity, and positioning capabilities, the Omega2 LTE is in a league of its own. However, we still think its worthwhile to compare it to other offerings:

Omega2 LTE Raspberry Pi w/ Hologram Nova DongleRaspberry Pi w/ LTE HATParticle Boron 2G/3GVerizon Jetpack MiFi 8800L LTE Mobile Hotspot

Processor	580 MHz MIPS	1.4 GHz Cortex-A52	1.4 GHz Cortex-A52	ARM Cortex-M4F microcontroller	Qualcomm SDx20
Memory	128 MB	1 GB	1 GB	256 KB	128 MB
Storage	32 MB Flash + microSD slot	None - microSD	None - microSD	1 MB Flash	256 MB
Wi-Fi	2.4 GHz b/g/n access point & client	2.4 GHz b/g/n client	2.4 GHz b/g/n client	None	2.4 & 5 GHz b/g/n/ac access point

Cellular Network Support	4G LTE Cat 4	3G	4G LTE Cat 4	3G	4G LTE Cat 18
Downlink Data Rate	150 Mbps	7.2 Mbps	150 Mbps	7.2 Mbps	18 Mbps
Uplink Data Rate	50 Mbps	5.76 Mbit/s	50 Mbps	5.76 Mbps	13 Mbps
SIM	Nano-SIM slot	Built-in	Nano-SIM slot	Built-in + Nano-SIM slot	Built-in
Positioning Support	GNSS	None	GNSS	None	None

Programmable	Yes. All modern programming languages	Yes. All modern programming languages	Yes. All modern programming languages	Yes. C++ only	No. No access to operating system at all
Battery Management	LiPo (use and charge)	No	No	LiPo (use and charge)	Built-in battery
USB Serial	Yes	No	No	No	No
Power	5 V 0.5 A	5 V 2.5 A	5 V 2.5 A	5 V 2 A	?

Form-factor	All-in-one	Board + USB dongle	Board + HATs	All-in-one	Consumer device
Dimensions	80 x 50 x 10 mm	(85 + 46) x 56 x 17 mm	85 x 56 x (17 + 5) mm	23 x 50 mm	113 x 71 x 19.15 mm

Open Source	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Path to Production	Yes	No	No	Yes	No

Total Cost	$99 (includes US shipping)	$124	$154	$69	$199

Support & Documentation

This project builds on the success of our community, which is years in the making and thousands strong. They have contributed an enormous amount of examples, use cases, demos, questions, answers, and tutorials.

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