Sigfox connected objects:

Radio specifications

March 2022
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Radio specifications
Date: Mar.2022

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Table of content
1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
2 RADIO HARDWARE ENGINEERING ....................................................................................................................... 4
2.1 LOCAL REGULATION CONSTRAINTS .......................................................................................................................... 4
2.2 FREQUENCY-RELATED TERMS AND VALUES .............................................................................................................. 5
2.3 SYMBOL RATES ......................................................................................................................................................... 6
2.4 END-POINT TX CHARACTERISTICS............................................................................................................................. 7
2.5 END-POINT RX CHARACTERISTICS .......................................................................................................................... 10
3 3D-UNB RULES IN UPLINK ..................................................................................................................................... 13
3.1 UPLINK FRAME CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW ............................................................................................................ 13
3.2 UPLINK MESSAGE CONTENT ................................................................................................................................... 13
3.3 LENGTH INDICATOR (LI) ......................................................................................................................................... 14
3.4 BIDIRECTIONAL FRAG (BF) .................................................................................................................................... 14
3.5 REPEATED FLAG (REP) .......................................................................................................................................... 14
3.6 MESSAGE COUNTER (MC) ..................................................................................................................................... 14
3.7 IDENTIFIER (ID) ...................................................................................................................................................... 15
3.8 UPLINK AUTHENTICATION (UL-AUTH) ................................................................................................................. 15
3.9 UPLINK ERROR DETECTION FIELD (UL-CRC) .......................................................................................................... 16
3.10 UPLINK CONVOLUTIONAL CODING FUNCTION ........................................................................................................ 17
3.11 UPLINK FRAME TYPE (FT)....................................................................................................................................... 17
3.12 UPLINK PREAMBLE (UL-PR) ................................................................................................................................... 18
3.13 UPLINK PROCEDURE ............................................................................................................................................... 18
4 3D-UNB RULES IN DOWNLINK.............................................................................................................................. 21
4.1 DOWNLINK FRAME CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW...................................................................................................... 21
4.2 DOWNLINK MESSAGE CONTENT ............................................................................................................................. 21
4.3 DOWNLINK AUTHENTICATION (DL-AUTH) ........................................................................................................... 21
4.4 DOWNLINK ERROR DETECTION (DL-CRC) ............................................................................................................. 22
4.5 DOWNLINK ERROR CORRECTION (ECC) ................................................................................................................. 23
4.6 DOWNLINK WHITENING FUNCTION ......................................................................................................................... 24
4.7 DOWNLINK FRAME TYPE (FT) ................................................................................................................................ 24
4.8 DOWNLINK PREAMBLE (DL-PR)............................................................................................................................. 24
4.9 BIDIRECTIONAL PROCEDURE .................................................................................................................................. 25
5 APPLICATIVE/CONTROL LEVEL .......................................................................................................................... 28
5.1 KEEP-ALIVE CONTROL MESSAGE............................................................................................................................. 28
5.2 CONFIRMATION CONTROL MESSAGE ...................................................................................................................... 28
5.3 APPLICATIVE PAYLOAD ENCRYPTION ..................................................................................................................... 29
6 ANNEX A (INFORMATIVE): TIME INTERVAL RECAP ..................................................................................... 30
7 ANNEX B (INFORMATIVE): MESSAGE TYPES, MESSAGE SIZES AND FRAME TYPE VALUES .......... 35
8 ANNEX C (INFORMATIVE): NUMERICAL EXAMPLES .................................................................................... 36
8.1 UL FRAME CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 36
8.2 DL FRAME CONSTRUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 36
8.3 USABLE FREQUENCIES IN RC1 ............................................................................................................................... 37
9 ANNEX D (INFORMATIVE): MISCELLANEOUS ................................................................................................ 38
9.1 DEFINITIONS .......................................................................................................................................................... 38
9.2 ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................................................ 38
9.3 SYMBOLS................................................................................................................................................................ 39
9.4 DRAWING AND DESCRIPTION CONVENTIONS.......................................................................................................... 40
9.5 DOCUMENT HISTORY.............................................................................................................................................. 40

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1 INTRODUCTION
This document describes the radio interface (see Figure 1-1) between Sigfox connected
objects and Sigfox network (SNW). This radio interface implements Sigfox V1 radio
communication rules, revision 1.4, which main functions are illustrated in Figure 1-2.

Figure 1-1 : Radio interface

To ensure consistency between documents describing the Sigfox solution, Sigfox radio
communication rules are named "3D-UNB" or "3D-UNB rules" in the present document.
3D stands for triple diversity, i.e. diversity in time, in frequency and in space. Sigfox
connected objects are named end-points (EP).

Figure 1-2 : Main functions of Sigfox V1 radio communication rules

NOTE 1: the present document specifies radio interface for objects connected to Sigfox
network (SNW), as a whole. Description and technical specifications of radio hubs (i.e.
Sigfox base stations) and Sigfox cloud are out of scope of the present document.
NOTE 2: some features, described here after, may not be available in all countries, where
Sigfox network is operated.
NOTE 3: following what is in the present document is a prerequisite, but not a guarantee,
for getting Sigfox certification.

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2 RADIO HARDWARE ENGINEERING

2.1 Local regulation constraints
3D-UNB is designed to operate in license-free frequency bands. In each country, these
frequency bands are ruled by local regulations, that define technical constraints for
sharing the unlicensed spectrum.

As local regulations may vary from country to country, Sigfox has defined Radio
Configurations (RC) that define radio parameter values that comply local regulations for
a set of countries. Radio parameters values corresponding to a radio configuration are
called a regional profile.

End-points have to comply with local regulations and implement Sigfox radio
configuration parameters for each country, where they are intended to be used.

NOTE: constraints on uplink and downlink traffic model, that end-points may use to
comply with commercial data plans, are out of scope of the present document.

2.1.1 ETSI 300 220: duty cycle

In European countries, access to the unlicensed spectrum is ruled by Duty Cycle (DC) limits
and Tx power limits. The applicable regulations are:

[NORM1] Short Range Devices (SRD) operating in the frequency range 25 MHz to 1000
MHz; Part 1: Technical characteristics and methods of measurement - ETSI EN
300 220-1 - Revision 3.1.1 - February 2017
[NORM2] Short Range Devices (SRD) operating in the frequency range 25 MHz to 1000
MHz; Part 2: Harmonized Standard for access to radio spectrum for non-
specific radio equipment - ETSI EN 300 220-2 - Revision 3.2.0 - September 2017

2.1.2 FCC 15 247: frequency hopping

In North American countries, access to the unlicensed spectrum is ruled by dwell time
limits and Frequency Hopping (FH) constraints. The US applicable regulation is:

[NORM3] CFR Title 47 Part 15 section 15.247 - Operation within the bands 902-928 MHz,
2400-2483.5 MHz, and 5725-5850MHz - April 7, 2017

2.1.3 ARIB T108: listen before talk

In Japan, access to the unlicensed spectrum is ruled by either Listen Before Talk (LBT) or
Low Duty Cycle(LDC) and Tx power limits. The Japanese applicable regulations are:

[NORM4] (English translation) 920MHz-Band Telemeter, Telecontrol and Data

Transmission radio equipment - ARIB STD-T108 - version1.4 – 23rd Aprils 2022

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2.1.4 Regional profile beaconing

Sigfox implementation of 3D-UNB uses several specific broadcast messages to help
mobile end-points discovering what is the regional profile operated on their location.
These broadcast messages are encapsulated in DL frames that have specific PHY format
and modulation patterns. They are described in a dedicated Sigfox Specification
document.

2.2 Frequency-related terms and values

2.2.1 Operating macro-channels
At time of printing, each radio configuration contains one uplink macro-channel and one
downlink macro-channel, where SNW operates. Named "operating macro-channels",
these channels are 192kHz wide and implemented with an accuracy of +/-1.62ppm.
Table 2-1 details values of operating macro-channels per RCs.

Table 2-1 : UL and DL operating macro-channels of SNW

Frequency RC7
RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6
(in MHz)
UL low 868.704
868.034 902.104 923.104 920.704 923.204 865.104
boundary
UL center 868.130 902.200 923.200 920.800 923.300 865.200 868.800
UL high 868.896
868.226 902.296 923.296 920.896 923.396 865.296
boundary
DL low 869.004
869.429 905.104 922.104 922.204 922.204 866.204
boundary
DL center 869.525 905.200 922.200 922.300 922.300 866.300 869.100
DL high 869.196
869.621 905.296 922.296 922.396 922.396 866.396
boundary
∆fGAP +1.395 +3.000 -1.000 +1.500 -1.000 +1.100 +0.3

Usable macro-channel is operating macro-channel where low and high boundaries are
shifted inward to compensate frequency inaccuracy of SNW implementation.

End-point shall use UL usable macro-channel and DL usable macro-channel to

communicate with current SNW implementation.

NOTE: Annex 8 gives a numerical example of UL usable macro-channel for RC1.

2.2.2 Micro-channels
When local regulations require frequency hopping techniques, end-point shall implement
at least 6 contiguous micro-channels of 25kHz in each uplink macro-channel (see 3.13.3).

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2.2.3 Frequency reference stability in end-point

In 3D-UNB, stability of frequency reference in end-point has two impacts:
- a shift of end-point frequency reference (i.e. long-term stability),
- a drift of carrier center frequency of radio bursts transmitted by end-point
(i.e. short-term stability).

NOTE: long-term stability of EP frequency reference includes all sources of frequency

change, such as production inaccuracy, temperature, aging, supply voltage, etc.

End-points shall have an overall accuracy better than +/- 20ppm for their frequency
reference.

End-points shall ensure that peak and mean drifts of carrier center frequency within an UL
radio burst comply with Table 2-2.

Table 2-2: Frequency drifts within a radio burst

BR100UL BR600UL
Peak frequency drift +/- 30 Hz/sec +/- 100Hz/sec
Mean frequency drift +/- 20 Hz/sec +/- 50Hz/sec

where:
- the peak frequency drift is evaluated over the first 19 symbols of a radio
burst (i.e. symbols corresponding to the UL-Pr field),
- the mean frequency drift is evaluated over the symbols corresponding to
the FT field and the UL-PHY-CONTENT field.

2.3 Symbol rates

In uplink, end-point may select the symbol rate (see Table 2-3) on a per message basis and
according to regional profile allowance (see Table 2-4).
It shall use the same symbol rate for all the radio bursts associated to a message.

The duration of an uplink symbol is named TSUL.

Table 2-3: Symbol rates in 3D-UNB system

Cumulated
Symbol rate Symbol rate error over full
Communication
name (in baud) length of radio
burst
BR100UL 100 +/- 3%
uplink
BR600UL 600 +/- 3%
downlink BR600DL 600 +/- 0,01%

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Table 2-4: Allowed symbol rates in uplink per regional profile

RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
allowed BR100UL BR100UL BR100UL BR100UL BR100UL
symbol BR600UL BR600UL BR600UL BR600UL BR600UL BR600UL BR600UL
rates

End-point shall keep the jitter on uplink symbol duration lower or equal to +/- 1%.

For downlink radio bursts, SNW uses symbol rate BR600DL, as specified in Table 2-3.
The duration of a downlink symbol is named TSDL.

2.4 End-point Tx characteristics

2.4.1 Output power
In 3D-UNB systems, the output power of an end-point is defined by giving a target
transmit power (EP-PwrTARG). EP-PwrTARG value is expressed in dBm EIRP; it is profile
dependent. This target value (see Table 2-5) is used to evaluate coverage of 3D-UNB
systems in each country.

Table 2-5 : Target output power of end-point

Power
RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
(dBm EIRP)
24
EP-PwrTARG 16 24 16 14 16 16
22 (Singapore)

2.4.2 Power class

An end-point, that transmits at EP-PwrTARG, is said to be "Class 0".
When local regulation allows, end-point may transmit at higher transmit power, but the
drawback is an increased power consumption.
An end-point may transmit at lower transmit power, but the drawback is a reduced quality
of service in uplink.
Four end-point power classes are defined, as in Table 2-6.

Table 2-6: End-point power classes

Tx Power End-point actual transmit power (in dBm EIRP)
Class max. typ. min.
0 local regulation EP-PwrTARG EP-PwrTARG - 4
1 EP-PwrTARG - 4 EP-PwrTARG - 6 EP-PwrTARG - 9
2 EP-PwrTARG - 9 EP-PwrTARG - 11 EP-PwrTARG - 14
3 EP-PwrTARG - 14 EP-PwrTARG - 16 not defined

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2.4.3 Uplink modulation scheme

3D-UNB implements a differential binary phase shift keying (D-BPSK) modulation in uplink
(see Figure 2-1). A symbol shaping is added during the phase rotation for power class 0
and class 1 end-points, to keep the emission spectrum within the limits defined in section
2.4.4.

Figure 2-1 : D-BPSK principle for class 0 and class 1 end-points in 3D-UNB

The end-point shall have a phase modulation accuracy in uplink as specified in Table 2-7.

Table 2-7: modulation accuracy values

Parameter Value
Maximum modulation RMS phase error 10°
Maximum modulation peak phase error 30°

Before the first symbol corresponding to the first bit of a frame, a radio burst may start
with a ramp-up and extra symbols (see Figure 2-2). This extra transmission shall be less or
equal to 2 x TSUL and with no phase modulation in it.

In the same manner, a radio burst may end with extra symbols and a ramp down (see
Figure 2-2). This extra transmission shall be less or equal to 2 x TSUL and with no phase
modulation in it.

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Figure 2-2 : radio burst shaping

NOTE: the starting point and the ending point of a radio burst are the times where the Tx
power level crosses the stabilized transmit power level minus 20dB (see Figure 2-3).

Figure 2-3: Ramp-up and ramp-down limits

2.4.4 Tx spectrum template

Tx spectrum of end-point results from modulation within radio bursts and switching
transients. Table 2-8 defines maximum limits for Tx power spectral density for power class
0 and power class 1 devices.

Table 2-8: Frequency intervals and limits for Tx spectrum of power class 0 and power
class 1 end-points
Averaged power spectral density on
Frequency interval
frequency interval (in dBc)
[-96kHz ; -25/TSUL] -52
[-25/TSUL ; -5/TSUL] -45
[-5/TSUL ; -3/TSUL] -35
[-3/TSUL ; -1/TSUL] -20
[-1/TSUL ; +1/TSUL] 0
[+1/TSUL ; +3/TSUL] -20
[+3/TSUL ; +5/TSUL] -35

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[+5/TSUL ; +25/TSUL] -45

[+25/TSUL ; +96kHz] -52

Table 2-9 defines maximum limits for Tx power spectral density for power class 2 and
power class 3 devices.
Table 2-9: Frequency intervals and limits for Tx spectrum of power class 2 and power
class 3 end-points
Averaged power spectral density on
Frequency interval
frequency interval (in dBc)
[-96kHz ; -25/TSUL] -45
[-25/TSUL ; -10/TSUL] -40
[-10/TSUL ; -5/TSUL] -20
[-5/TSUL ; -3/TSUL] -15
[-3/TSUL ; -1/TSUL] -8
[-1/TSUL ; +1/TSUL] 0
[+1/TSUL ; +3/TSUL] -8
[+3/TSUL ; +5/TSUL] -15
[+5/TSUL ; +10/TSUL] -20
[+10/TSUL ; +25/TSUL] -40
[+25/TSUL ; +96kHz] -45

2.5 End-point Rx characteristics

2.5.1 Foreword on end-point Rx characteristics
3D-UNB is designed to operated even if some end-points are uplink only. Receiving
capability is optional in end-point. Therefore, values for the technical parameters listed in
the present section are target values, recommended for getting a good downlink behavior
if the final usage of an end-point requires bidirectional communications.
Engineering designers are strongly encouraged to pay close attention to end-point
receivers, because their characteristics have a direct impact on the overall performance
of the downlink communication.

2.5.2 Modulation scheme in DL

For downlink transmission, 3D-UNB implements a GFSK modulation with 600 baud symbol
rate (see Table 2-3) and a frequency deviation of ∆fMOD = 800Hz.

2.5.3 Nominal error rate

The nominal error rate applies to nominal and static conditions without interference.

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For 3D-UNB end-points, the nominal frame error rate shall be FERNOM = 10-6, evaluated
with a conducted input level 10dB above RxSensREF.

2.5.4 Reference sensitivity

In 3D-UNB systems, reference receiver sensitivity (RxSensREF) is defined as the conducted
input level at which the reference error rate of FERREF=10% is met. RxSensREF value is
-126dBm.

2.5.5 Target end-point radiated sensitivity

In 3D-UNB systems, the sensitivity of an end-point is defined by giving a target end-point
sensitivity (EP-SensTARG) at the antenna. This recommended value is used to evaluate
coverage of 3D-UNB systems in each country.
The target end-point radiated sensitivity is EP-SensTARG = -126dBm, evaluated with a
dipole antenna and with FER=10%.

NOTE: although some final usages may accept less sensitivity than the target value,
improved sensitivity, improved resistance to interferers and good electromagnetic
compatibility are key for the performance of end-point receivers.

2.5.6 Downlink radio burst shaping

SNW transmits a downlink radio burst with shaping limits, as follows:
- duration of the start of radio burst less or equal to 0,5 x TSDL,
- duration of the end of radio burst less or equal to 0,5 x TSDL.

2.5.7 Resistance to interferers and blocking characteristics

For 3D-UNB end-points, the resistance to interference is driven by the end-point final
usage and its operating conditions. Table 2-10 gives target values for resistance to near
interferers; Table 2-11 is for blocking.

Table 2-10: Interference level

Carrier offset C/I
3.5kHz -30 dB
10kHz -50 dB
>1MHz -60 dB

Table 2-11: Blocking levels

Carrier offset Blocker level
± 10MHz -50dBm

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2.5.8 Receiver dynamic input range

Dynamic range of receivers generally includes quite a number of technical conditions.
Target value, defined in the present clause, is an indication of the linear range, before
saturation. Maximum conducted power at end-point receiver is -42dBm.

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3 3D-UNB RULES IN UPLINK

3.1 Uplink frame construction overview
This section deals with formats and functions in uplink, from applicative/control level
down to physical level. An overview of the uplink communication stack and the
corresponding construction steps is illustrated in Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1: Uplink communication stack overview

3.2 Uplink message content

The content of the uplink message may be applicative data or control data.
The format of an applicative message content is freely defined by the application.
The format of control message content is specified in section 5.

End-point shall copy the message content into UL-PAYLOAD field, as detailed in Table 3-1.

Table 3-1 : LI values and UL-AUTH size in relation with other message parameters
UL UL-PAYLOAD LI value UL-AUTH UL-
message content (MSB, LSB) size CONTAINER
content (in bytes) size (in bytes)
empty empty (*) 00 2 8
0b0 empty (*) 10 2 8
0b1 empty (*) 11 2 8
1 byte message content 00 2 9
2 bytes message content 10 4 12
3 bytes message content 01 3 12
4 bytes message content 00 2 12
5 bytes message content 11 5 16
6 bytes message content 10 4 16
7 bytes message content 01 3 16
8 bytes message content 00 2 16

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9 bytes message content 11 5 20

10 bytes message content 10 4 20
11 bytes message content 01 3 20
12 bytes message content 00 2 20
(*): In such case, the UL-PAYLOAD field is omitted in the UL-CONTAINER.

3.3 Length Indicator (LI)

It is a 2-bit field. EP shall set LI bits according to Table 3-1.

3.4 Bidirectional Frag (BF)

It is 1-bit field. EP shall set it, as follows:
- 0b0 in an UL-container carrying application message in a U-procedure,
- 0b1 in an UL-container carrying application message in a B-procedure.

3.5 Repeated Flag (REP)

It is a 1-bit field. EP shall set it to 0x0.

3.6 Message Counter (MC)

It is a 12-bit field taking values between 0 and (MCmax-1). The MCmax value is defined in the
product certificate and known by the 3D-UNB system.
The end-point shall increment the message counter by 1 after each UL message sent over
the air. When an UL message is sent with MC equals to (MCmax-1), the MC of the next UL
message shall be 0.

If a device does not support payload encryption, its MCmax shall be constant over its whole
lifetime and chosen among one of the following values:
• 128
• 256
• 512
• 1024
• 2048
• 4096
If a device supports payload encryption, it s MCmax shall be 4096.

NOTE: the message counter value is the same for all the N uplink frames induced by an UL
message.

NOTE: the message counter is incremented after each new message, irrespective of the
U- or B- procedure used over the air.

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NOTE: although there is no strong requirement on the initial value of MC, the
recommended practice is to use 0x000 as MC initial value in production.

3.7 Identifier (ID)

It is a 32-bit field. EP shall load its EP identifier bytes in reverse order into the ID field (see
Figure 3-2).

Figure 3-2: Example of EP identifier copied in ID field

3.8 Uplink Authentication (UL-AUTH)

It is a variable length field. EP shall set its length according to Table 3-1 and its content
according to the three steps, as follows:

Step 1:
To build UL-DATAIN, the end-point shall concatenate six fields in order: LI, BF, REP, MC, ID
and UL-PAYLOAD (see Figure 3-3). When payload encryption is active, the end-point shall
add the RoC field, as a first field of UL-DATAIN.

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Figure 3-3: UL-DATAIN filed construction

Step 2:
The end-point shall use AES128 in mode CBC as authentication algorithm, as follows (see
Figure 3-4), where authentication key (Ka) is provided the 3D-UNB system owner.

Figure 3-4: Principle of UL-AUTH field evaluation

Step 3:
The end-point shall copy 2 to 5 of the MSBytes of the AES/CBC result into the UL-AUTH
field, according to the length defined in Table 3-1.

3.9 Uplink error detection field (UL-CRC)

It is a 16-bit field. EP shall evaluate the UL-CRC field, as follows (see Figure 3-5):
- devise the UL-CONTAINER value with the polynomial generator
X16 + X12 + X5 + 1,
- XOR the remainder with 0xFFFF.

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Figure 3-5: UL-CRC computation

3.10 Uplink convolutional coding function

The end-point shall encode the concatenation of UL-CONTAINER + UL-CRC with one of the
convolutional codes in Table 3-2 and shall put the result in UL-PHY-CONTENT field (see
Figure 3-6).

Table 3-2: Polynomials for convolution coding of UL frames

Number of frames Frame emission rank Polynomial
multiple First R=1 (identity)
multiple Second R=1+X+X2
multiple Third R=1+X2
single / R=1 (identity)

Figure 3-6: Convolutional coding in uplink

3.11 Uplink frame type (FT)

It is a 13-bit field. EP shall select its value according to Table 3-3.

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Table 3-3: Frame type values in UL

Message Container Frame Type Frame Type UL frame
type Length value value emission
(in bytes) (in binary) (in hexa (*)) rank
8 0b0 0000 0110 1011 0x006B first
0b0 0110 1110 0000 0x06E0 second
0b0 0000 0011 0100 0x0034 third
9 0b0 0000 1000 1101 0x008D first
0b0 0000 1101 0010 0x00D2 second
0b0 0011 0000 0010 0x0302 third
12 0b0 0011 0101 1111 0x035F first
Application
0b0 0101 1001 1000 0x0598 second
Message
0b0 0101 1010 0011 0x05A3 third
16 0b0 0110 0001 0001 0x0611 first
0b0 0110 1011 1111 0x06BF second
0b0 0111 0010 1100 0x072C third
20 0b0 1001 0100 1100 0x094C first
0b0 1001 0111 0001 0x0971 second
0b0 1001 1001 0111 0x0997 third
16 0b0 1111 0110 0111 0x0F67 first
Control
0b0 1111 1100 1001 0x0FC9 second
Message
0b1 0001 1011 1110 0x11BE third
(*): Hexadecimal values given with most significant bits padded with zero.

3.12 Uplink preamble (UL-Pr)

It is a 19-bit field. End-point shall set its value to 0b1010101010101010101.

3.13 Uplink procedure

The uplink only procedure (i.e. U-procedure) is initiated by an end-point wishing to send a
UL message to the SNW, with no onward downlink message. The end-point chooses the
U-procedure on a per message basis.

3.13.1 Single/multiple frame principle

For an uplink message, 3D-UNB rules allow to create one or three frame(s) and then to
transmit one or three radio burst(s) over the air. This feature is named single/multiple
frame.
The parameter N defines the number of uplink frames per message (see Figure 3-7). The
selection of N=1 results in the lowest end-point energy consumption, whereas a value of
N=3 provides increased resiliency. N=2 is not permitted. End-point shall set the FT value
according to Table 3-3.

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Figure 3-7: Principle of multiple transmissions in uplink

NOTE: single or multiple frame(s) carry the same UL-CONTAINER and the same UL-CRC;
only convolution code and FT value are different.

3.13.2 Time intervals in U-procedure

Time intervals in U-procedure are illustrated in Figure 6-1 to Figure 6-6, with values as
follows:

Table 3-4 : Time interval values for frames in U-procedure

RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
TIFU MIN 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms
TIFU MAX 2000ms 2000ms N.A. 2000ms N.A. 2000ms 2000ms
TIFP MIN 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms
TIFP MAX N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
TLF N.A. N.A. 8s (*) N.A. 8s N.A. N.A.
(*) Ony applicable if LBT method access is used (not applicable in LDC).
Note that for RC3 certification relying on LDC access method, when interframe (T IFU)
<50ms is selected, Japanese regulation ARIB STD-T108 Version 1. 4 requires that device
emission does not exceed 4s. Therefore, when interframe <50ms is selected, usable Sigfox
payload length must not exceed 1byte.

3.13.3 Frequency selection in U-procedure

End-point shall select the center carrier frequency fUL of each radio burst pseudo-
randomly.

End-point shall ensure that:

- pseudo-random frequencies are statistically independent and evenly
distributed,
- all fUL values fall within SNW usable macro-channel,
- its pseudo-random frequency series is unique for each end-point,
- its radio contribution makes the overall spectral occupation of all the
same product units uniform over the full uplink usable macro-channel.

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When local regulations require frequency hopping techniques, end-point shall ensure that
the fUL distribution is independent and evenly distributed among micro-channels as well
as within each of the micro-channels.

NOTE: Annex 8 gives numerical example of allowable frequency range for fUL.

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4 3D-UNB RULES IN DOWNLINK

4.1 Downlink frame construction overview
This section deals with formats and functions in downlink, from applicative/control level
down to physical level. An overview of the downlink communication stack and the
corresponding construction steps are illustrated in Figure 4-1.

Figure 4-1: Downlink communication stack overview

4.2 Downlink message content

The content of downlink message is a fixed-length field. It carries applicative data
prepared by user's distant application server in response to an uplink message. Format of
the DL-PAYLOAD field is user dependent.

4.3 Downlink authentication (DL-AUTH)

DL-AUTH field is evaluated in three steps by the SNW:

Step 1:
SNW concatenates five fields in order (see Figure 4-2) to build DL-DATAIN.

Step 2:
SNW runs the AES128 algorithm (see Figure 4-3) on DL-DATAIN and with the
authentication key (Ka), known by the 3D-UNB system owner.

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Figure 4-2: DL-DATAIN construction principle

Step 3:
SNW copies the two MSByte of the AES128 result into the DL-AUTH field.

Figure 4-3: DL-AUTH computation

4.4 Downlink error detection (DL-CRC)

SNW evaluates the DL-CRC field (see Figure 4-4), as follows:
- devise the DL-CONTAINER value with the polynomial generator
X8 + X5 + X3 + X2 + X + 1,
- copy the remainder in DL-CRC field.

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Figure 4-4: DL-CRC field evaluation in DL

4.5 Downlink error correction (ECC)

The error correction function in downlink implements BCH15-11 Error Correction Codes
over the concatenation of DL-CONTAINER and DL-CRC fields.
SNW evaluates the ECC field in two steps (see Figure 4-5).

Figure 4-5: ECC field computation in DL

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4.6 Downlink whitening function

SNW evaluates the DL-PHY-CONTENT in two steps (see Figure 4-6), as follows:
- initialize the whitening function with following value with big endian
encoding :
▪ if (DEVICE ID x MC) mod512 equals 0, then set the initialization value to
51110,
▪ else set the initialization value (DEVICE ID x MC) mod512
- XOR the concatenation of ECC, DL-CONTAINER and DL-CRC fields, in order,
with the PN9-SEQUENCE generated by the PN9 polynomial: R=X9 +X4 +1
initiated with the above initialization value.

Figure 4-6: Whitening function in DL

4.7 Downlink frame type (FT)

It is a 13-bit long, with value 0b1001000100111 (i.e. 0x1227 when MSbits are zero
padded).

4.8 Downlink preamble (DL-Pr)

It is a 91-bit field (see Figure 4-7). Its value is a string of bits composed of 1 and 0
alternately, ending with a 1.

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Figure 4-7: DL preamble content

4.9 Bidirectional procedure

The B-procedure is initiated by an end-point wishing to send an UL message and to receive
an onward downlink message.
If a downlink message is sent by the network and received successfully at MAC/LINK level
in the end-point, a confirmation message is sent by end-point. When the DL message is
not received, the confirmation message is omitted.
The end-point selects the B-procedure on a per message basis. It can mix it with
single/multiple frame procedure. Figure 4-8 illustrates the sequence diagram of a B-
procedure.

Figure 4-8: B-procedure sequence diagram at MAC/LINK level

4.9.1 Time intervals in B-procedures

Time intervals in B-procedures are illustrated in Figure 6-7 to Figure 6-12, with values as
follows:

Table 4-1 : Time interval values in B-procedure at MAC/LINK level

RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
TW 20s 20s 19s 20s 19s 20s 20s
TRX 25s 25s 33.5s 25s 33.5s 25s 25s
TCONF MIN 1.4s 1.4s 1.4s 1.4s 1.4s 1.4s 1.4s
TCONF MAX 4s 4s 4s 4s 4s 4s 4s

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Table 4-2 : Time interval values in B-procedure at PHY level

RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
TIFB MIN 500ms 500ms 10ms 500ms 10ms 500ms 500ms
TIFB MAX 525ms 525ms N.A. 525ms N.A. 525ms 525ms
TIFP MIN 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms 10ms
TIFP MAX N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
TLF N.A. N.A. 8s(*) N.A. 8s N.A. N.A.
(*) Ony applicable if LBT method access is used (not applicable in LDC).
Note that for RC3 certification relying on LDC access method, when interframe (TIFU)
<50ms is selected, Japanese regulation ARIB STD-T108 Version 1. 4 requires that device
emission does not exceed 4s. Therefore, when interframe <50ms is selected, usable Sigfox
payload length must not exceed 1byte

NOTE: definition of TIFP prevents an end-point to interpose a new procedure when waiting
for reception window in a B-procedure.

4.9.2 Frequency selection in B-procedure

Generally speaking, EP shall select carrier center frequency of its first uplink frame in a B-
procedure the same way as in U-procedure (see section 3.13.3).

In case of multiple frame procedure, second and third carrier center frequencies have a
fixed difference ∆fMF with the first one (see Figure 4-9). ∆fMF is regional profile dependent
and defined in Table 4-3.

Table 4-3 : Frequency parameters in B-procedure

RC1 RC2 RC3 RC4 RC5 RC6 RC7
∆fMF 6kHz 25kHz 6kHz 25kHz 6kHz 6kHz 6kHz

Figure 4-9 : Frequency layout in B-procedure

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Carrier center frequency of the radio burst sent back by SNW is shifted by ∆fGAP from the
estimated carrier center frequency of the corresponding uplink radio burst (see Table
2-1). ∆fGAP is regional profile dependent and defined in Table 2.1. SNW implements ∆fGAP
with an accuracy of +/-150Hz.

NOTE: Accuracy of ∆fGAP includes errors on UL frequency estimation and DL frequency

synthesis in SNW base stations.

EP shall select carrier center frequency for the UL confirmation control message, sent at
successful completion of a B-procedure, pseudo-randomly in compliance with UL
frequency selection described in section 3.13.3.

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5 APPLICATIVE/CONTROL LEVEL
5.1 Keep-alive control message
The keep-alive control message (see Figure 5-1) is optionally sent by end-point for
reporting local parameters. End-point shall send a keep alive control message in a multiple
frame procedure (i.e. three frames) and with the following four fields in order:
- Control Type (CT) field is 8-bit long. Its value shall be 0x08,
- VDD-IDLE field is a 16-bit unsigned integer. It shall contain the battery
voltage value outside an EP radio burst transmission with 1mV per unit (i.e.
voltage from 0mV to 65 535mV),
- VDD-Tx field is a 16-bit unsigned integer. It shall contain the battery
voltage value within an EP radio burst transmission with 1mV per unit (i.e.
voltage from 0mV to 65 535mV),
- TEMP field is a 16-bit signed integer, with two’s complement
representation. It shall contain the EP temperature with 0,1°C per unit.
End point shall serialize VDD-IDLE, VDD-Tx and TEMP fields with little endian encoding.

Figure 5-1 : Payload of a keep-alive control message

5.2 Confirmation control message

The UL confirmation control message (see Figure 5-2) is mandatorily sent by the end-point
after the successful reception of a downlink message in a B-procedure. End-point shall
send an UL confirmation control message in a single frame procedure (i.e. one frame) and
with the following five fields in order:
- Control Type (CT) field is 8-bit long. Its value shall be 0x09,
- VDD-IDLE field is a 16-bit unsigned integer. It shall contain the battery
voltage value outside an EP radio burst transmission with 1mV per unit (i.e.
voltage from 0mV to 65 535mV),
- VDD-Tx field is a 16-bit unsigned integer. It shall contain the battery
voltage value within an EP radio burst transmission with 1mV per unit (i.e.
voltage from 0mV to 65 535mV),
- TEMP field is a 16-bit signed integer, with two’s complement
representation. It shall contain the EP temperature with 0,1°C per unit,
- RSSI field is an 8-bit signed integer, with two’s complement representation.
It shall code the received signal strength (RSS) estimation, made by the
end-point over the DL frame of the B-procedure, with the following
formula: RSSI = “EP RSS estimation” +100 (unit: dBm). RSSI accuracy shall be
within +/-2dB.
End point shall serialize VDD-IDLE, VDD-Tx and TEMP fields with little endian encoding.

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Figure 5-2 : Payload of a UL confirmation control message

5.3 Applicative payload encryption

Payload encryption is a procedure that encrypts the payload of applicative messages over
the air, in both uplink and downlink communication. It uses an AES128 algorithm in mode
CTR with an encryption key (Ke), unique per end-point. The procedure is specified in a
dedicated Sigfox specification document.

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6 ANNEX A (INFORMATIVE): TIME INTERVAL RECAP

This informative annex recaps how time intervals apply depending on U- or B- procedures,
single or multiple frames and spectrum sharing techniques (i.e. DC, FH or LBT). Twelve
configurations are possible. For each configuration, the relevant time intervals are
illustrated here after.

NOTE: relative frame positions on frequency vertical axis are purely indicative.

Figure 6-1 : U-procedure, single frame, DC

Figure 6-2 : U-procedure, single frame, FH

Figure 6-3 : U-procedure, single frame, LBT

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Figure 6-4 : U-procedure, multiple frames, DC

Figure 6-5 : U-procedure, multiple frames, FH

Figure 6-6 : U-procedure, multiple frames, LBT

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Figure 6-7 : B-procedure, single frame, DC

Figure 6-8 : B-procedure, single frame, FH

Figure 6-9 : B-procedure, single frame, LBT

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Figure 6-10 : B-procedure, multiple frames, DC

Figure 6-11 : B-procedure, multiple frames, FH

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Figure 6-12 : B-procedure, multiple frames, LBT

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7 ANNEX B (INFORMATIVE): MESSAGE TYPES, MESSAGE

SIZES AND FRAME TYPE VALUES

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8 ANNEX C (INFORMATIVE): NUMERICAL EXAMPLES

8.1 UL frame construction
With reference to Figure 3-1, an example of application message construction in uplink is
as follows:
UL-MESSAGE-CONTENT=0x 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
LI=0b00, BF=0, REP=0, MC=0x 06 72
End-point identifier=0x FE DC BA 98 → ID=0x 98 BA DC FE
Ke=0x 01 23 45 67 89 AB CD EF 01 23 45 67 89 AB CD EF
UL-AUTH=0x 96 EF
UL-CRC=0x CD FB

UL Frame UL FT UL-PHY-CONTENT
#1 0x 06 11 06 72 98 BA DC FE 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 96 E7 CD FB
#2 0x 06 BF 04 D7 72 C9 05 BE 80 01 C3 82 47 06 C4 85 B8 2D D8 78
#3 0x 07 2C 07 EE 3E 94 6B C1 80 01 42 83 C5 04 47 86 73 5E 3E 85

UL Frame Full bit stream before modulation (UL-Pr included)

#1 AA AA A6 11 06 72 98 BA DC FE 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 96 E7 CD FB
#2 AA AA A6 BF 04 D7 72 C9 05 BE 80 01 C3 82 47 06 C4 85 B8 2D D8 78
#3 AA AA A7 2C 07 EE 3E 94 6B C1 80 01 42 83 C5 04 47 86 73 5E 3E 85

8.2 DL frame construction

With reference to Figure 4-1, an example of application message construction in downlink
is as follows:
UL-MESSAGE-CONTENT=0x 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07
LI=0b00, BF=1, REP=0, MC=0x 06 72
End-point identifier=0xFEDCBA98 → ID=0x 98 BA DC FE
Ke=0x 01 23 45 67 89 AB CD EF 01 23 45 67 89 AB CD EF
UL-AUTH=0x F3 BA
UL-CRC=0x F4 68

DL-MESSAGE-CONTENT=0x 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
DL-AUTH=0x 85 2D
DL-CRC=0x 02
ECC=0x AB 83 9E A9
Initialization value for PN9 of whitening function=0x 01 B0

DL Frame DL FT DL-PHY-CONTENT
/ 0x 12 27 0x C6 05 30 38 C6 4B F9 2E 71 8A AC 45 06 3E 00

DL Frame Full bit stream before modulation (DL-Pr included)

/ 0x AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA AA B2 27 C6 05 30 38 C6 4B F9 2E
71 8A AC 45 06 3E 00

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With reference to Figure 5-2, the corresponding confirmation control message is as

follows:
CT=0X 09
VDD-IDDLE=0x E4 0C (+3 300mV)
VDD-Tx=0x CC 10 (+4 300mV)
TEMP=0x FA 00 (+25°C)
RSSI=0x E6 (-126dBm)
LI=0b00, BF=0, REP=0, MC=0x 06 73
UL-AUTH=0x BF 9D
UL-CRC=0x 81 0E

UL Frame UL FT UL-PHY-CONTENT
#1 0x 0F 67 06 73 98 BA DC FE 09 E4 0C CC 10 FA 00 E6 BF 9D 81 0E

UL Frame Full bit stream before modulation (UL-Pr included)

#1 AA AA AF 67 06 73 98 BA DC FE 09 E4 0C CC 10 FA 00 E6 BF 9D 81 0E

8.3 Usable frequencies in RC1

With reference to Table 2-1, Table 8-1 and Figure 8-1 give a numerical example of a usable
macro-channel for RC1 and corresponding available frequency range for uplink
transmission, taking into account accuracy of EP frequency reference.

Table 8-1: Numerical example of usable frequencies in RC1

Parameter Value Comment
(in kHz)
width of operating macro- 192
channel
𝛆SNW : margin due to SNW 1.406 1.62ppm of center
reference frequency inaccuracy frequency (i.e. 868.13MHz
for RC1)
𝛆EP : margin due to end-point 17.363 20ppm of center frequency
reference frequency inaccuracy (i.e. 868.13MHz)
EP frequency range available 154.462
for fUL frequencies

Figure 8-1: Numerical example for fUL available range

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9 ANNEX D (INFORMATIVE): MISCELLANEOUS

9.1 Definitions
B-procedure bidirectional procedure at MAC/LINK level, triggered by an
uplink message
container datagram exchanged at MAC/LINK level in 3D-UNB
downlink communication from the Sigfox network to an end-point
end-point leaf node of a 3D-UNB system
frame binary stream ready for modulation and transmission over the
3D-UNB radio interface
macro-channel frequency interval within an unlicensed spectrum where end-
point may communicate
payload array of bits carried by 3D-UNB communication stack over a 3D-
UNB radio interface
radio burst radio transmission over the air which starts with a ramp up,
finishes with a ramp down and which contains a stream of
symbols carrying the modulated bits of a frame
symbol steady state in amplitude, phase and frequency of a radio wave,
carrying a piece of digital information
uplink communication from an end-point to Sigfox network
U-procedure uplink-only procedure at MAC/LINK level

9.2 Acronyms
3D-UNB Triple Diversity UNB
AES Advanced Encryption Standard
AUTH Authentication
BER Bit Error Rate
BF Bi-directional Flag
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check
CT Control Type
CTR CounTeR (AES mode)
DC Duty Cycle
DL Downlink
ECC Error Correction Code
EP End-Point
EIRP Equivalent Isotropic Radiated Power
ERP Effective Radiated Power
FER Frame Error Rate
FH Frequency Hopping
FT Frame Type
GFSK Gaussian Frequency Shift Keying

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ID Identity
Ka Authentication Key (used in authentication and integrity check
procedures)
Ke Encryption Key (used in payload encryption of applicative message)
LBT Listen Before Talk
LDC Low Duty Cycle
LI Length Indicator
LSByte Least Significant Byte
LSbit Least Significant bit
MAC Medium Access Control
MC Message Count
MCmax Message Count maximum value
MSbit Most Significant bit
MSByte Most Significant Byte
N.A. Not Applicable
PHY Physical
Pr Preamble
RC Radio Configuration
RoC Rollover Counter
RSSI Received Signal Strength Indicator
SNW Sigfox NetWork
TEMP Temperature
UL Uplink
UNB Ultra-Narrow Band
VDD Positive Supply Voltage
XOR eXclusive OR (logical operation "exclusive disjunction")

9.3 Symbols
∆f fixed frequency shift for successive radio bursts sent in a B-procedure
∆fGAP frequency offset between uplink macro-channel and downlink macro-
channel
fDL carrier center frequency of a DL radio burst
fUL carrier center frequency of a UL radio burst
m generic value for message numbering
N generic value for the number of UL frames transmitted at the beginning
of a unidirectional or bidirectional procedure
p generic value for MAC/LINK procedure numbering
TCONF delay between DL and confirmation message in a bidirectional procedure
TIFB time interval between uplink frames in a B-procedure
TIFP time interval between last UL frame of a procedure and the first UL frame
of the next procedure
TIFU time interval between uplink frames in a U-procedure
TLF time interval in case of multiple frame procedure when LBT applies
TSUL duration of an uplink symbol
TSDL duration of a downlink symbol
TRX maximum duration of the receive window in a bidirectional procedure

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TW waiting time between UL and DL in a bidirectional procedure

9.4 Drawing and description conventions

In this document, sketches use drawing conventions of communication protocol
description (see Figure 9-1), where:
- Fields to be transmitted are drawn from left to right,
- First field on the left is transmitted first,
- Last field on the right is transmitted last,
- Fields are always transmitted MSbit first.

Figure 9-1 : Frame serialization over the air

9.5 Document history

Date Radio Description

interface
revision
February 2019 1.3 First public document
November 2019 1.4 Wording improvement in sections 2.2.1 (macro-channel
definition) and 3.13.3 (frequency selection
procedure).
Updates in sections 2.4.4 (spectrum template), 2.5.4
(reference sensitivity measurement), 3.13.3
(frequency granularity relaxed), 5.1 & 5.2 (endianness
clarified) and in Table 2-3 (symbol rate accuracy)
Annex 8 added (numerical examples)
February 2020 1.5 Relax constraints on baud rate cumulated error in section
2.3, message counter numbering in section 3.6 and Tx
spectrum template for class 2 and class 3 devices in
section 2.4.4.
Replace requirement on frequency granularity for each
end-point with requirement on uniform spectral

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occupation of the whole device population, in section

3.13.3.
Support of RC7 regional profile added.
Signed integer representation added in section 5.1 and
5.2
March 2022 1.6 Clarify target end-point output power for device at
Singapore in RC4 in Table 2-5.
Clarify impact of Japanese regulation update on TLF
allowing use of Low Duty Cycle method access, in table 3-
4 and 4-2.
Clarification of whitening function in DL including in
section 4.6

------------------ end of document ------------------

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