Industry’s First LoRa® Technology Evaluation Kits for Low-Power Wide-Area Networks (LPWAN)

Microchip introduced the industry’s first complete LoRa® technology evaluation kits. The new kits provide customers with all required components to create a Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) in Europe (DV164140-1 for the 868 MHz band). Each kit includes two Motes (LoRaWAN™ sensors) based on Microchip’s RN2483 or RN2903 LoRa modules, a LoRaWAN gateway and a local LoRaWAN server application.

Driven by the LoRa Alliance, LoRa technology is able to achieve a range of up to 10 miles and 10-year battery life. The technology targets low data rates and low-duty-cycle applications for tracking and monitoring such things as energy, location, utility infrastructure, smart city, environment, agriculture and public safety. Although predominantly used for the uplink of sensor data, bidirectional communications allow real-time acknowledgement of mission-critical data and downlink control of remote actuator nodes.

Each kit can serve as a building block for development of a long-range LoRa network where designers can expect up to 10 miles of range and 10 years of battery life using two AAA batteries. LoRa technology utilizes spread spectrum modulation which delivers excellent data robustness in a noisy environment and works through physical obstructions. Because the two Motes are European R&TTE Directive Assessed (DV164140-1) or FCC Certified (DV164140-2), time to market can be significantly reduced through simplification of standards and government regulatory certification.

Features:

◾Everything needed to develop a LoRaWAN Network
◾868 MHz Evaluation Kit
◾Includes a 6-channel Gateway and two Motes
◾Local LoRaWAN Network/Application Server
◾GUI for configuration and testing (Windows, Linux and Mac OS)

Learn more at the Alcom electronics presentation at D&E event on November 2nd at 14:15.