Thales (also called Thales Group) is a multinational company specializing in designing and manufacturing electrical systems and the devices that go into electrical products.
It’s a world leader in electrical innovation, empowering various industries, including transportation, aerospace, defence, and digital security.
At Novotech, you can find a range of Thales Modules, adapters, modules, modems, and gateways. These products help power many applications in IoT and other fields of technology rapidly taking over the world.
This post aims to answer all the questions you may have about Thales or its products available at Novotech.
Product Questions
What Type of Certifications are Needed When Integrating Thales Modules into Another Finished Product?
When it comes to certifications for the modules that go into another finished product, there are three options. Pre-certified, non-certified, or proprietary modules (modules you make on your own from scratch).
Pre-certified or certified modules, like those made by Thales, ensure that the module is ready to be used in another product. Depending on the design of the product or scheme, the module may not require much configuration.
More importantly, it means that the module meets the industry regulations. For instance, certified RF modules may meet the requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); the Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED); and the European Conformity (CE).
On the other hand, a non-certified module does not guarantee compliance with industry standards or legal frameworks. This can be problematic in some cases. That’s not to say that it won’t work properly, but that it’s not approved or certified by a regulatory body.
In regions where such certifications are necessary, the finished product with a non-certified module may not get the certification or approval in that particular market. In such a case, you may have to get another lab or organization to certify the product.
However, non-certified modules are cheaper than certified modules because the manufacturer hasn’t spent the money on certifications.
How Long is the Lifecycle of a Module, and How Does the Transition to Newer SKUs Impact Development?
The lifecycle of a module follows the traditional product lifecycle. Starting with inception, design, build, and configurations. The lifecycle of modules may depend not so much on the materials but more on the technological life cycle.
When newer technology comes out, older modules may slowly decline in use. However, it can take years before they become completely obsolete.
Another aspect to consider is maintenance, including upgrading firmware for specific hardware. Manufacturers may upgrade the firmware from time to time to extend the lifetime of the technology and allow it to catch up with the latest applications.
Therefore, it’s difficult to estimate the exact lifecycle of a specific module.
As for the move to newer SKUs, this is not a problem unique to companies in the IoT sector or any other technology sector using modular parts provided by other manufacturers.
SKU proliferation is a problem often faced by distributors and, more commonly, by retailers who end up with old or obsolete stock while consumer demand shifts toward newer products.
While SKU proliferation is more impactful on other industries, it may not significantly impact companies designing electronic systems and devices. It may take a while for them to incorporate newer technology in their products.
To ensure newer SKUs don’t negatively impact development or cause older SKUs to go to waste, companies need an effective SKU management strategy. Using analytics to predict usage and demand, companies can ensure their SKUs do not sit idle and, instead, complete the development cycle.
Where Can I Find an AT Command Manual?
AT Commands are instructions for modems. The AT is short for attention, which is why all the instructions for the modem start with AT. Some examples of AT commands are ATD (Dial), ATA (Answer), ATO (Return to online data state), and ATH (Hook control). These commands are used for machine-to-machine communication, typically between the modem and computers and devices.
You can find an AT Command manual on the Thales website. However, a better approach is to contact a Novotech sales representative who can procure the AT command manual for you so your developers and designers don’t have to waste time looking for it online.
This is just one of the many benefits of directly acquiring routers, modems, modules, and other connectivity devices from Novotech.
Where Can I Find an Integrator's Manual?
With an integrator's manual on hand, you can answer many questions and address numerous issues. For an integrator produced by Thales, you can look up the manual on their website.
Better yet, you can contact a Novotech sales representative who can help you find the right module, so you can get started on your project quickly and have the correct documentation on hand to use.
How are Firmware Updates Communicated to Me?
At Novotech, we strive to be a part of the product lifecycle management process by ensuring due maintenance. In that regard, the Novotech audience receives specialized emails with firmware update details as needed and when an update is released.
What are the Various Form Factors Available?
At Novotech, you can find a variety of module technology available in specific form factors that are most relevant to current technological needs. These include:
Module Technology
2G/3G: Although 2G/3G cellular modules are gradually phasing out telecommunication, they still serve important applications. Thales 2G/3G modules come in the smallest form factor that’s common with newer LTE and even 5G modules.
4G: 4G or LTE modules are available mainly in M.2 form factors that save space.
5G: There are various 5G form factors depending on the application, such as handheld devices, hotspots, appliances, adapters, dongles, etc.
CAT M1: These LTE modules are ideal for IoT applications, which is why they come in compact form factors, suitable for small devices.
LTE-M: The LTE-M modules for IoT devices come in a sub-compact form factor.
Module Types
M.2: M.2 modules can be used with Wifi, Bluetooth, WWAN, GPS, and NFC. These come in three dimensions represented by 2242, 2260, and 2280.
Surface Mount: Printed circuit board (PCB) ready modules can be directly mounted on the surface of the electric circuit board. Most Thales modules are surface mounts.
Through Hole: For certain applications like aerospace, modules are also available for through-hole installation, which is more durable.
Brand Questions
What is the Difference Between Thales, Gemalto, and Cinterion?
Thales is the name of the company that designs and makes electrical systems and their parts for a variety of industries. As a multinational company, it’s also referred to as the Thales Group because it has several subsidies as well.
While Thales company makes many technological products that are branded under its name, it’s also associated with its many subsidiaries, which have their unique products and services covering different industries.
One of these subsidiaries, which Thales Group recently acquired, is Gemalto.
Gemalto was an international security company producing security devices and software and providing managed services to businesses and smart cities around the world. Since its acquisition, Thales has merged the name brand with its existing digital security assets to take it even further.
Now, many of Thales products are also sold under the Gemalto name. Thales and Gemalto together cover tech sub-sectors like payment systems, biometric systems, IoT, and mobile solutions.
Cinterion is the registered brand name Thales uses for its digital security and identity product lines. These include IoT modules, gateways, and modem cards. This broad portfolio of modules enables diverse IoT and M2M applications.
How Do You Pronounce Thales?
Thales is pronounced as tha-lis. It sounds similar to the common female name Alice.
Which Thales Module or Terminal is Best for My Application?
Choosing the right module or terminal depends on a number of factors, but most importantly, the application itself.
This comparison of Thales (Gemalto) Modules and Quectel can help you understand what the different Thales modules are for and what they offer. Also, check out this video of Thales PLS62 Terminal unboxing to get valuable information.
If you need any more information and guidance about modules and terminals, you can contact us directly.
Novotech Questions
Can I Buy Modules Online?
You can safely and reliably purchase modules for your specific application and business from Novotech directly from the website. You can directly purchase modules by creating an account, or you can sign up for the CONTROL portal, which is Novotech’s one-stop solution for quotations, procurement, and tracking.
You can find the products you need from this portal, place orders, and track shipments through your phone or on your computer. For businesses procuring products for their clients, this portal can make it easier to get quotes fast and track multiple orders.
Do You Have Stock Right Now?
Yes, we have stock available for Thales modules and terminals at both of our warehouses in North America (Canada and the US). You can browse through the many Thales products we carry here.
You can get a custom quote for the exact modules you require. Also, you can find more information about purchases and orders here.