Simplifying Development of Remote IoT Nodes with LoRa SiP Family from Microchip

Microchip launches the lowest-power LoRa System-in-Package family, the SAM R34/35 SiPs, on November 13, 2018. With the certified reference designs and proven interoperability with major LoRaWan gateway and network providers, it can accelerate the entire development process because developers can quickly put their application code with Microchip’s LoRaWAN stack and build a prototype with ATSAMR34-XPRO development board (DM320111), which is supported by the Atmel Studio 7 Software Development Kit (SDK).  The SAM R34/35 family helps developers to accelerate the design of RF applications with reduced risk. With support for worldwide LoRaWAN operation from 862 to 1020 MHz, developers can use a single part variant across geographies, simplifying the design process and reducing inventory burden. The SAM R34/35 family supports Class A and Class C end devices as well as proprietary point-to-point connections.

The ATSAMR34-XPRO development board (diagram shown below) is certified with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC) and Radio Equipment Directive (RED), providing developers with the confidence that their designs will meet government requirements across geographies. LoRa technology is one of the popular LPWAN technologies used for wireless communication nowadays. It’s designed to enable low-power applications to communicate over longer ranges than Zigbee, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth using the LoRaWAN open protocol. Ideal for a range of applications such as smart cities, agricultural monitoring and supply chain tracking, LoRaWAN enables the creation of flexible IoT networks that can operate in both urban and rural environments. Since most LoRa devices can remain in sleep mode for extended periods of time, their batteries can last several years.  According to the LoRa Alliance™, the number of LoRaWAN operators has doubled from 40 to 80 over the last 12 months, with more than 100 countries actively developing LoRaWAN networks.

“The LoRa ecosystem is entering a phase of accelerated growth, and as a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, Microchip has been a strong driving force to build the success of this technology,” said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip’s Wireless Solutions business unit. “The SAM R34 continues Microchip’s reputation as a one-stop shop for small, low-power devices that bring the benefits of free software, excellent customer support, and dependable supply.”