Semtech Corporation will collaborate with ZTE, a major international provider of telecommunications, to bring to market new low-power, wide area network (LPWAN) gateways featuring Semtech LoRa® devices and wireless RF technology (LoRa Technology) that enables native, GPS-free geolocation functionality for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
Since 2016, ZTE has rapidly deployed IoT applications based on the LoRaWAN™ protocol that is standardized by the LoRa Alliance™. Semtech and ZTE will develop and test gateways with enhanced features including native and GPS-free geolocation. The companies will also work together to make new gateway and other IoT solutions more commercially available. Semtech’s geolocation functionality uses a hybrid mix of time stamping techniques to locate sensors relative to gateways without requiring additional hardware/space, battery power, and other costly add-ons.
“ZTE’s commitment to bringing commercial IoT solutions with geolocation functionality to market will help accelerate the adoption of IoT applications in China,” said Mike Wong, Vice President of Marketing for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “Our LoRa Technology enables geolocation functionality without added hardware, giving application developers a low-cost and easily implementable solution for tracking applications.”
“After extensive testing, we are excited to enhance the current features our ecosystem of LoRa-based IoT applications,” said Liu Jianye, Vice President at ZTE. “Our goal is to deploy over 10,000 gateways and millions of sensors in China and beyond.”
Key Features of LoRa Technology:
- Long Range: A single base station using LoRa Technology enables deep penetration capability for dense urban environments and indoor coverage, while also providing the ability to connect to sensors more than 15-30 miles away in rural areas.
- Low Power: The LoRaWAN protocol was developed specifically for low power and enables unprecedented battery lifetime of up to 20 years depending on the application.
- Geolocation: Enables tracking applications without GPS or additional power consumption.
- Low Cost: LoRa Technology reduces up front infrastructure investments and operating costs, as well as end-node sensor costs.
- Open Standard: The LoRaWAN protocol ensures interoperability among applications, IoT solution providers and telecom operators to speed adoption and deployment.
