Semtech, a supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, has announced a new open-source packet forwarder for Linux-based gateways that allows secure, resource-efficient data communication and remote management, critical features for Internet of Things (IoT) networks.
The same features have also been integrated on a miniature indoor gateway. Such miniature gateways, integrated with Semtech’s
LoRa devices and wireless radio frequency technology, are suited for generating dense network coverage with minimal capital expenditure and no operational expenditure, Semtech says.
“The full featured miniature gateway has great potential for bringing LoRa-based solutions to scale,” said Wienke Giezeman, CEO and co-founder of The Things Industries. “The product lowers the total cost of ownership of LoRaWAN-based solutions, providing a disruptively low price point as it can be installed in only a few minutes by non-technical personnel. Removing the hassle and lowering the investment of the network allows businesses to focus on what really matters, an end-to-end IoT business solution.”
The implementation on the miniature gateway is further designed to enable easy-to-deploy gateways, ideal for generating network coverage in challenging indoor environments for smart building applications or using mobile gateways in asset tracking solutions.
In addition, these solutions enable developers to easily create applications and test interoperability, while providing flexibility for different deployment models, business models and network deployment strategies for solutions providers and network operators. Cost effective indoor gateways are leading to mass adoption of LoRa Technology for smart home, building and asset tracking applications.
“Semtech’s LoRa Technology is enabling the devices, networks and applications of IoT and we expect to continue to revolutionize the industry by developing leading technology that shortens the application and solution development time to market. The new LoRa-based packet-forwarder protocols will help simplify interoperability of LoRaWAN-based solutions allowing the developer community to create a variety of IoT applications much faster,” said Marc Pegulu, Vice President of Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group.
100 network operators deploying LoRaWAN
Rising demand for LoRa technology has resulted in a cumulative deployment of approximately 80 million LoRa-enabled end nodes at the end of 2018, a 60% year-over-year increase, amid the burgeoning growth of the LoRaWAN-based ecosystem, according to Semtech.
The LoRa Alliance, allegedly the fastest-growing IoT alliance for Low Power Wide Area Network applications, recently announced it reached a milestone of more than 100 LoRaWAN-based network operators.
It is expected that approximately 80 million of LoRa-enabled end nodes and hundreds of thousands of LoRa-based gateways will be deployed by early 2019. Growing support from network operators is driving opportunities for LoRa technology expansion around the globe, Semtech says.
Alistair Fulton, Vice President and General Manager of Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group, said “The rapid and global growth of the LoRaWAN-based ecosystem presents an incredible opportunity as we continue to address the diverse connectivity needs of smart buildings, smart metering, smart agriculture, smart cities, smart supply chain logistics, and beyond.”
The LoRa Alliance, which has grown to more than 500 companies since its inception, reported that the number of end-devices connected to LoRaWAN-based networks has tripled.
The LoRa Alliance also highlights the Asia-Pacific region experienced 30% growth in 2018 while Europe saw a staggering 50% growth. Semtech is committed to continuing to grow the deployment of LoRa-enabled gateways and end nodes to meet this rising global demand, in addition to expanding the number of people and countries covered by its long range, low power solutions that are flexible, scalable and easy to implement.