While conventional connectivity options are still powering many development platforms, Arduino has taken a step ahead and opted for LoRa to enter the emerging world of industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). The open source hardware company has also formally joined the LoRa Alliance — the global association of over 450 companies supporting the LoRaWAN standard.

Arduino has expanded its existing collaboration with Camarillo, California-based Semtech Corporation to develop an IoT Developer Kit specific for developers using LoRa technologies. Earlier this year, both the companies tied up for building individual LoRa-enabled nodes and gateway shields.

“From saving water to managing herds to understanding how to manage pharmaceuticals, Semtech’s LoRa technology offers low-cost ways to solve problems using open technology. We look forward to seeing how LoRa technology can save money and create new revenue streams today and into the future,” said Federico Musto, Arduino CEO, in a statement.

Arduino Primo, Tian and some other latest development boards are the first to enable integration with Semtech’s LoRa and wireless RF technologies. The presence of LoRaWAN standard enables devices to offer long-range radio frequency functionality and gives developers the ability to transmit data even over tens of kilometres along with a reduced battery consumption.

Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group Vice President Mike Wong stated that the addition of LoRa technology into Arduino’s developer tools would cater demands in multiple industries including IIoT, metering, smart cities, agriculture environment and healthcare. “As more industries adopt IoT applications to improve their organisations, developers need open source hardware and software that is easy to deploy and cost-effective,” Wong said.

Communication across multiple channels

Apart from bringing long-range radio frequency functionality and enhancing battery efficiency, Arduino LoRa-enabled shields and gateway devices are capable of communicating on multiple channels at the same time, simultaneously. The latest technology development also helps to bridge traffic to a backhaul network.

The new range of Arduino shields is designed by default to connect to various LoRaWAN networks. Moreover, the shields are compatible with the LoRaWAN specification standardised by the LoRa Alliances.