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Microchip Releases New LoRa System-In-Package Solution


Package Combines Ultra-low-power ARM Microcontroller with LoRa Transceiver and Software Stack


LoRa® (Long Range) technology is extending the reach of the Internet of Things (IoT) by combining long-range wireless connectivity with low-power performance. To accelerate the development of LoRa-based connected solutions, Microchip has released a highly integrated LoRa System-in-Package (SiP) family with an ultra-low-power 32-bit microcontroller (MCU), sub-GHz RF LoRa transceiver and software stack.

Click for Larger Image - Microchip Releases New LoRa System-In-Package Solution SAM R34

The SAM R34/35 SiPs come with certified reference designs and proven interoperability with major LoRaWAN™ gateway and network providers, significantly simplifying the entire development process with hardware, software and support. The devices also provide the industry’s lowest power consumption in sleep modes, offering extended battery life in remote IoT nodes.

Most LoRa end devices remain in sleep mode for extended periods of time, only waking up occasionally to transmit small data packets. Powered by the ultra-low-power SAM L21 Arm® Cortex®-M0+ based MCU, the SAM R34 devices provide sleep modes as low as 790 nA to significantly reduce power consumption and extend battery life in end applications. Highly integrated in a compact 6 x 6 mm package, the SAM R34/35 family is ideal for a broad array of long-range, low-power IoT applications that require small form factor designs and multiple years of battery life.

Click for Larger Image - New System-in-Package is Ideal for IoT Nodes

In addition to ultra-low-power consumption, the simplified development process means developers can accelerate their designs by combining their application code with Microchip’s LoRaWAN stack and quickly prototype with the ATSAMR34-XPRO development board, which is supported by the Atmel Studio 7 Software Development Kit (SDK). The development board is certified with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC) and Radio Equipment Directive (RED), providing developers with the confidence that their designs will meet government requirements across geographies.

LoRa technology is designed to enable low-power applications to communicate over longer ranges than Zigbee®, Wi-Fi® and Bluetooth® using the LoRaWAN open protocol. Ideal for a range of applications such as smart cities, agricultural monitoring and supply chain tracking, LoRaWAN enables the creation of flexible IoT networks that can operate in both urban and rural environments. According to the LoRa Alliance™, the number of LoRaWAN operators has doubled from 40 to 80 over the last 12 months, with more than 100 countries actively developing LoRaWAN networks.

Click for Larger Image - Microchip SAM R34 Block Diagram

“The LoRa ecosystem is entering a phase of accelerated growth, and as a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, Microchip has been a strong driving force to build the success of this technology,” said Steve Caldwell, vice president of Microchip’s Wireless Solutions business unit. “The SAM R34 continues Microchip’s reputation as a one-stop shop for small, low-power devices that bring the benefits of free software, excellent customer support and dependable supply.”

The SAM R34/35 family is supported by Microchip’s LoRaWAN stack, as well as a certified and proven chip-down package that enables customers to accelerate the design of RF applications with reduced risk. With support for worldwide LoRaWAN operation from 862 to 1020 MHz, developers can use a single part variant across geographies, simplifying the design process and reducing inventory burden. The SAM R34/35 family supports Class A and Class C end devices as well as proprietary point-to-point connections.


Features of the SAM R34 LoRa® SIP Device

  • Industry's lowest power LoRa® SiP device
  • 32-bit Arm® Cortex M0+ MCU and LoRa Transceiver
  • Small form factor: 6x6 mm compact BGA package
  • 256KB Flash and 40 KB RAM accomodates application code and stack
  • Most cost and size effective solution, eliminating need for external MCU
  • Fully supported 862 to 1020 MHz frequency coverage
  • Down to -148 dBm Receive Sensitivity
  • Up to 20 dBm maximum transmit power
  • Low RX current of 17mA (typical)
  • LoRa Technology, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and OOK Modulation

For more information on the SAM R34 LoRa® SIP Device, visit the Microchip website at Microchip SAM R34 Product Page


Note: The Microchip name and the Microchip logo are registered trademarks of Microchip Technology Incorporated in the U.S.A and other countries. All other trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective companies.


The Microchip website address is www.microchip.com
[Reprinted with kind permission from Microchip Corporation - Release Date, 13th November, 2018]