Semtech introduces LoRa Core portfolio and new digital baseband chips

Semtech, a leading supplier of semiconductor products and advanced algorithms, announced the introduction of the LoRa Core portfolio and a new chipset for the family. The LoRa Core portfolio provides global coverage of the LoRaWAN network with applications across multiple verticals, including asset tracking, smart buildings, smart homes, smart agriculture, smart meters, factory automation, and more.

The LoRa Core portfolio consists of sub-GHz transceiver chips, gateway chips, and reference designs. Including SX126x series, SX127x series and LLCC68 transceiver chip; SX130x series gateway chip; Traditional gateway reference design and LoRa® Corecell Gateway reference design. They all have the essential features of Semtech LoRa devices, including long-range, low-power, and low-cost end-to-end communication. The latest additions to the LoRa Core portfolio include the gateway baseband processor with integrated LoRa (SX1303) and the LoRa Corecell Gateway Reference Design with fine-timestamp capabilities.

"The new LoRa Core gateway integrated circuit enables network-based geolocation of LoRa devices without the need to install Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware on each individual end node. The new chipset enables the gateway to perform network-centric geolocation based on Time Difference of Arrival (TDOA), based on a precise time-stamp function that provides accurate arrival time information for each demodulation message. This is ideal for cost-sensitive asset tracking applications." Pedro Pachuca, director of wireless products for Semtech's Wireless and Sensing division. "The new LoRa Core chip helps customers accelerate the development of their applications running the LoRaWAN protocol. Semtech is committed to providing customers with complete solutions to help them reduce the cycle time to develop applications using LoRa devices."

The new LoRa Corecell Gateway reference design with accurate time stamping is suitable for the United States, Europe and China. LoRa Corecell will help developers design gateways that combine LoRa with the best bill of Materials (BOM) and lowest power configuration, while providing the latest, network-centric geolocation performance.

Key features of the new LoRa Core Chipset (SX1303) :

● Provide accurate arrival time information for each demodulated LoRa frame

● A precision timestamp is a nanosecond resolution value that refers to a pulse per second (PPS) signal

● The geolocation accuracy is about 75-150 meters, depending on many different factors

● Size and pin-to-pin compatible with LoRa Core SX1302

● Specially designed for use in the LoRaWAN protocol and sub-GHz band applications worldwide

● Using the LoRa Core SX1250 Tx/Rx front end, sensitivity up to -141dBm

● Unique 64-bit serialization number for identification and security purposes
● The gateway has lower power consumption and smaller size compared to traditional gateways