Semtech and Murata sampling new LoRa-based modem platform

Semtech and Murata have announced the sampling availability of a new modem based on Semtech’s LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol.

The modem use Semtech’s LoRa Cloud Device & Application Services; a set of new services previously announced in March of this year, that provide device configuration, status monitoring and application support; and LoRa Cloud Join Server, a network independent service which simplifies the provisioning of devices across LoRaWAN-based networks.

The combination of modem and LoRa Cloud Device & Application Services is intended to simplify the development process and increase the ROI of LoRaWAN-based solutions.

“The modem integrated with Semtech’s LoRa Cloud Device & Application Services enables customers to focus on developing Internet of Things (IoT) applications without worrying about underlying radio connectivity,” explained Marc Pegulu, Vice President of IoT for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “This new offering shortens the design and sales cycle by providing users with a secure and easy-to-deploy LoRa-based wireless modem.”

Key benefits of the modem to developers and sensor manufacturers are the integrated LoRaWAN protocol stack, which is pre-personalised to communicate with Semtech’s LoRa Cloud Device & Application Services. These services are designed to operate over all LoRaWAN-based networks.

IoT solutions that are easy to deploy and simple to manage are in heavy demand and by streamlining and standardising basic building blocks across the ecosystem it is possible to support rapid growth and large, scalable low power wide area networks (LPWANs).

At present, access to IoT devices is usually accomplished through a Cloud service, and Murata now provides an integrated LoRa-based modem with an easy way for developers to get actionable information on sensor status and manage this securely through the Cloud. These sensors may be deployed in harsh radio environments and need to last multiple years on a battery. The provisioning and onboarding of sensors, monitoring of battery levels, ability to update firmware remotely, flexibility to join different LoRaWAN-based networks, and many other features are seen as being ssential to IoT deployments. The modem addresses this need for the LoRa ecosystem while following the LoRaWAN specification.

“The new LoRa-based module with an embedded modem will allow our customers to bring products to market faster than ever before,” said Samir Hennaoui, LPWA Product Manager at Murata. “The goal of this project is to provide production-ready LoRa-based hardware platforms and associated Cloud services, which abstract complexity and simplify development. We are confident that the module will also accelerate the worldwide adoption of LoRa-based devices and the LoRaWAN protocol.”