Reference kit simplifies LoRa smart building development

By Gina Roos, editor-in-chief

Semtech Corp. released its Smart Building Reference Kit to accelerate the deployment of LoRa-based internet of things (IoT) technology. The collection of tools helps designers demonstrate and develop smart building solutions based on LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol. LoRa is the de facto standard for low-power, wide-area-network-based solutions.

The kit provides more than 20 sensors, two gateways, and a global 4G hotspot for simplified setup. The kit allows users to monitor doors and windows, desk and room presence, environmental conditions, and detect water intrusion. In addition, the portability of the kit allows users to move sensor locations to assess network coverage.

The kit includes the following:

• 5 desk sensors
• 2 grid-eye sensors
• 2 temperature/humidity sensors
• 2 IR blasters
• 5 door/window sensors
• 5 room occupancy sensors
• 1 leak sensor
• 2 mini-hub LoRaWAN gateways
• 1 Wi-Fi to mobile portable hotspot

Users can easily create simple smart building networks without extensive knowledge of IoT technologies, said Semtech. All tools in the kit use readily accessible PC software.