A highly integrated LoRa system package family that accelerates the development of remote iot nodes

     LoRa (Long Distance) technology combines long distance wireless connectivity with low power performance to expand the reach of the Internet of Things (IoT). To accelerate the development of LoRa connectivity solutions, Microchip Technology introduced a highly integrated LoRa System Package (SiP) family of devices that use ultra-low power 32-bit microcontrollers (MCUS), sub-GHz RF LoRa transceivers, and software protocol stacks. SAM R34/35 SiP brings a certified reference design and proven interoperability with major LoRaWAN™ gateway and network vendors, greatly simplifying the overall development process of hardware, software and support. The device also offers the lowest hibernation power consumption in the industry, extending battery life for remote iot nodes.

     Most LoRa terminals will remain in sleep mode for a longer period of time and will only wake up occasionally when transferring small packets. The SAM R34 device features an ultra-low-power MCU based on the SAM L21 Arm Cortex-M0+, with power consumption as low as 790 nA in sleep mode, significantly reducing power consumption for the end application and extending battery life. For a variety of long-range, low-power iot applications that require a small form-factor design and multi-year battery life, the highly integrated SAM R34/35 series in a compact 6 x 6 mm package is ideal.

     In addition to ultra-low power consumption, the simplified development process also allows developers to integrate their application code with Microchip's LoRaWAN protocol stack to speed up design, Start prototyping quickly with the ATSAMR34-XPRO development board (DM320111) supported by the Atmel Studio 7 Software Development Kit (SDK). The board is certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), allowing developers to ensure that their designs meet government requirements in various countries.

     LoRa technology is designed to enable low-power applications to leverage the LoRaWAN open protocol to achieve greater communication range than Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth . Ideal for a wide range of applications such as smart cities, farm monitoring and supply chain tracking, LoRaWAN makes it possible to create flexible iot networks that operate in both urban and rural environments. According to the LoRa Alliance™, the number of LoRaWAN operators has climbed from 40 to 80 in the past 12 months, with more than 100 countries actively developing LoRaWAN networks.

     Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip's Wireless Solutions business unit, said: "The LoRa ecosystem is entering a phase of accelerated growth, and as a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, Microchip has been instrumental in making this technology a success. "The SAM R34 is a great example of how Microchip continues to be a one-stop supplier of small, low-power devices, providing customers with free software, excellent support, and reliable supply."

     The SAM R34/35 series is supported by Microchip's LoRaWAN protocol stack and features a certified and proven chip-level package that allows customers to design RF applications faster and with less risk. With support for global LoRaWAN operation in the 862 to 1020 MHz range, developers can use the same device model worldwide, simplifying the design process and reducing inventory pressure. The SAM R34/35 series supports Class A and Class C terminal devices, as well as exclusive point-to-point connectivity.