LoRa®-based Solutions Make Low-Power Wide-Area Networks Possible
LoRa®-based Solutions
LoRa® is a low-power long-range wireless communication technology developed by Semtech. It can communicate up to 20 km in line of sight.
By combining Semtech‘s LoRa® transceivers with Renesas' ultra-low power MCUs and sensors, a system with battery life of 10 years or more can be easily built.
Renesas is also a member of the LoRa Alliance® and provides various software for LoRa®-based wide-area networks (LoRaWAN®), enabling secure communication with the cloud via the LoRaWAN® network.
In addition, LoRa®-based network software (private LoRa®-based network sample) is provided from 2024. A gateway or server is not necessary for the software, and it is optimal for small and low power networks.
LoRa®-based solutions for the RL78 and RA families (Additionally support RA0E1 from June 2024) provide software for "low power consumption" and "easy design" and wireless evaluation tools for "easy evaluation".
Learn more about solutions for each family below.
Application of LoRa®-based Solutions
LoRa® is suitable for wireless data communications that send small amounts of data over long distances at a low data rate periodically or not so frequently.
Technical Standard
The development of LPWA wireless networks continues to progress with the proliferation of IoT. Various standardization and promotion organizations are making vigorous efforts to create specifications and promote widespread adoption of their specifications to create a global IoT market.
The LoRa Alliance® is advancing LoRaWAN® standardization and its promotion, and is engaged in efforts to develop low-power wide-area wireless networks that use frequency bands that do not require licensing.
Renesas is an adopter member of the LoRa Alliance®, and will continue to contribute to promotion activities of LoRaWAN®, which is expected to further expand in the future.
LoRaWAN®
LoRaWAN® networks simplify system building. LoRaWAN® is a wireless specification that achieves low-power wide-area (LPWA) wireless networks for the Internet of Things (IoT) as an open global standard.
Learn more about the LoRa Alliance®
Private LoRa®-based Network
Private LoRa®-based network uses a LoRa®-based protocol for communication between devices. User control of this communication protocol enables communication at any desired timing and provides flexibility for bi-directional communication. In addition, it eliminates the communication costs associated with the Internet and the necessity for gateways/servers, making it ideal for small-scale, low-power consumption networks. It is especially suitable for Peer-to-Peer and Star type network communications.
Star Network
Comparison of LoRaWAN® and Private LoRa®-based Network
LoRaWAN® uses a standardized communication protocol, has high interoperability, and is easily connected to the Internet using third parties, making it suitable for building large networks.
Private LoRa®-based network uses proprietary LoRa®-based communication protocol, allowing control of communication speed and frequency to fit the environment, and is suitable for building small-scale networks.
