Arduino Teams with Semtech to Help Fuel IoT Growth Using Semtech’s LoRa Technology

CES2017 -- Las Vegas, NV, Jan. 04, 2017 -- Arduino, the world’s leading open-source ecosystem for Education, Maker and IoT markets, and Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC), a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors, have teamed to develop Arduino-compatible shields to enable gateway and endpoint long range radio frequency (RF) connectivity using Semtech LoRa® devices and Wireless RF Technology.

Developers using Arduino Primo, Arduino Tian, and several other boards, can quickly integrate LoRa Technology into existing projects. Akin to unlicensed spectrum Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, but operating at sub GHz frequencies, LoRa adds long range RF functionality tailored for IoT to Arduino boards, giving developers the ability to transmit data over tens of kilometers with seamless mobility at very low costs. A growing number of community LoRaWAN™ networks can be joined for free. 

“The combination of smart things with the connectivity of LoRa Technology is enabling new business opportunities by offering unique ways to build communications into industrial and consumer IoT projects,” said Kathy Giori, Arduino VP Products. “LoRa Technology reduces cost, specifically for projects that require low power and low bandwidth, yet adds the range and mobility of cellular (as compared to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). Metering and tracking applications like following shipping containers, checking fuel levels in tanks, monitoring energy meters, ensuring patient health, and controlling and monitoring city infrastructure are just a few examples of applications. Adding LoRa Technology to Arduino boards is an exciting new endeavor, and we look forward to helping fuel this deployment as the IoT continues to grow at rapid speed.”

LoRa is a wireless RF technology developed by Semtech to create the lowpower, wide-area networks (LPWANs) required for IoT applications. Semtech LoRa chipsets are built into products offered by its vast network of IoT partners in the LoRa Alliance™ and deployed by mobile network operators. Arduino is offering two distinct LoRa-based shields, one endpoint-ready (for Arduino Primo and other 32-bit MCU platforms) and one gateway-ready (can be connected to Arduino Tian, which runs LininoOS).

“Arduino’s easy to deploy, open source hardware and software enables a cost-effective and easy way to integrate LoRa Technology into IoT applications,” said Mike Wong, Vice President of Marketing for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “By providing developers another tool, we hope to further scale the adoption of IoT technologies and enable businesses, municipalities and consumers to take advantage of the automated, data-driven processes and analytics enabled by IoT.”

Using Arduino LoRa-ready shields, gateway devices are able to communicate on multiple channels at the same time, and bridge traffic to a backhaul network. The Arduino gateway shield is configured by default, to connect through The Things Network, a community of more than 4,000 members in over 60 countries building a global Internet of Things data network for LoRa-enabled endpoints. The addition of Arduino shields is expected to help The Things Network, which allows for things to talk to the Internet without cellular or Wi-Fi, to expand even faster.

The shields will be compatible with the LoRaWAN specification standardized by the LoRa Alliance™, meeting its communications standards and compliance tests that products must pass to carry the LoRa logo.

About Semtech
Semtech Corporation is a leading supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for high-end consumer, enterprise computing, communications, and industrial equipment. Products are designed to benefit the engineering community as well as the global community. The Company is dedicated to reducing the impact it, and its products, have on the environment. Internal green programs seek to reduce waste through material and manufacturing control, use of green technology and designing for resource reduction. Publicly traded since 1967, Semtech is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol SMTC. For more information, visit www.semtech.com.

Semtech, the Semtech logo, LoRa, and LoRaWAN are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation and/or its affiliates.

About Arduino
Arduino is the world’s leading open-source software and hardware ecosystem. The Company offers IoT developers and Makers of all ages the ability to build smart, connected and interactive devices using affordable technologies. Check us out at www.arduino.org. 

Arduino PR | Kelly Brieger | [email protected] | www.arduino.org | 650.704.1748
Semtech PR | Ronda Grech | [email protected] | www.semtech.com | 805.480.2193