16.10.2019, 12:53
Simplifying Development of LoRa Smart Building Solutions
Semtech’s new Smart Building Reference Kit includes tools for accelerating development of IoT-based smart building solutions based on LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol.
Designed as a self-contained solution, the kit allows users to monitor doors and windows, desk and room presence, environmental conditions, and detect water intrusion.
Supplied with more than 20 sensors, two gateways and a global 4G hotspot for simplified setup, the kit is sufficiently portable to allow users to move sensor locations to assess completeness of network coverage.
Wiljan van Loon, Strategic Development Director at Securitas Services Europe, describes the kit as an excellent way of promoting the use of LoRa, and says:
“At the recent Securitas European CTO meeting in Paris, the kit was presented and provided our organization insight into the possibilities of deploying LoRa-based devices for the security industry. The diverse range of sensors as well the easy set-up of this kit support our organizational efforts to promote and deploy LoRa-based Internet of Things (IoT) technology both internally, and for our clients, growing our business.”
Byron BeMiller, Director of Vertical Marketing for Smart Buildings in Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group, adds:
“Semtech’s Smart Building Reference Kit will empower potential customers to utilize LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol in the development of their own smart building applications.
“Customers will be able to quickly create simple smart building networks without needing to have extensive knowledge of IoT technologies. All tools included in the kit rely on readily accessible PC software.”
The number of IoT devices used in commercial real estate has grown from 71.2 million in 2015 to more than 791 million in 2019. Yet, despite the continued growth of IoT for smart buildings, the highly technical nature of IoT serves as a barrier to entry for many potential businesses. As the de facto standard for low power, wide area network-based solutions, LoRa devices offer a proven feature set for enabling a wide range of smart building solutions that meet customer needs and deliver real return on investment. Buildings often present unique challenges for radio coverage and frequently require sensors to be placed in difficult-to-reach locations. LoRa’s ability to cover deep indoor locations within a building’s structure and offer long battery life make it the preferred technology for today’s smart building projects. Through the creation of a self-contained kit, Semtech aims to simplify the testing of LoRa-based products in a smart building environment and continue to support LoRa-based developers and end users.
Semtech LoRa devices and wireless radio frequency technology have been widely adopted as a long-range, low-power solution by IoT by telecom companies, IoT application makers, and system integrators – with IoT networks based on the LoRaWAN® specification already deployed in 100 countries.
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