Next generation LoRa technology enables myriad of new IoT applications:
In January 2018, Semtech announced its next generation LoRa technology, with new features and capabilities that enable innovative, diverse IoT use cases and reinforce its position as the de facto platform for LPWAN applications. This new family of SX126x LoRa devices and wireless RF chipsets addresses market needs for cost-effective and reliable sensor-to-cloud connectivity, significantly improving the performance and capability of IoT sensor applications that demand lultra-low power, small form factor and long range wireless connectivity, as well as delivering shortened product development cycles.
The sub-GHz LoRa radio transceivers are designed for multi-year battery life and extend Semtech™s industry leading link budget by 20%, with a 50% reduction in active receiver current consumption (4.6 mA), and a high power +22 dBm transmit power option. This extends the battery life of LoRa-based sensors up to 30%, reducing the frequency of battery replacement. The small 24-pin 4x4mm footprint is also 45% less than the current generation.
The extended connectivity range, with the ability to reach deep indoor and outdoor sensor locations, is creating new markets as different types of verticals integrate LoRa technology into their IoT applications, including healthcare and pharmaceuticals, media and advertising, M2M applications, supply chain and logistics, and asset tracking.
The devices are highly configurable to meet diverse application requirements utilising the LoRaWAN open standard, with support for (G)FSK modulation for legacy use cases. The radio is suitable for systems targeting compliance with European, US, or Asian radio regulations. Continuous frequency coverage from 150-960MHz provides support of all major global sub-GHz ISM bands.
In addition, the new platform has a command interface that simplifies radio configuration and shortens development cycles, needing only 10 lines of code to transmit or receive a packet, allowing developers to focus on applications.
As LPWAN IoT applications go through a massive transformation, shifting from trials to large scale deployments in smart cities, buildings, factories, metering, healthcare, logistics and agriculture, LoRa technology is enabling diverse use cases and reinforcing its position as the de facto platform for LPWAN (source: IHS Markit LPWAN market forecasts).
The platform is seeing success with these applications because it is able to improve quality of life and help solve real-world problems such as water and energy conservation, environmental monitoring for pollutants, flood-level monitors in cities, and improving food safety and quality. Three key features: low-power, low-cost and an open interoperable standard make LoRa desirable for myriad industrial, commercial and domestic IoT applications.
Semtech™s LoRa Technology is a widely adopted long-range, low-power solution for IoT that gives telecom companies, IoT application makers and system integrators the feature set necessary to deploy low-cost, interoperable IoT networks, gateways, sensors, module products and IoT services worldwide. IoT networks based on the LoRaWAN specification have been deployed in 45 countries and Semtech is a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, the fastest growing IoT Alliance for Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) applications.
References/supporting material:
IHS Markit LPWAN market forecast
https://technology.ihs.com/598869/public-lpwa-connections-to-grow-at-a-206-percent-cagr-to-2021-ihs-markit-says (and/or)