LoRa Technology: Connecting our IoT-Enabled Homes and Buildings

By Marc Pegulu

Vice President Wireless LoRa and IoT

Semtech

April 30, 2019

Blog

LoRa Technology: Connecting our IoT-Enabled Homes and Buildings

The LoRaWAN protocol is specifically designed to wirelessly connect battery operated devices and things, which is very important for this industry in particular.

As the Internet of Things (IoT) industry continues to expand, developers are working tirelessly to create new applications to grow with it. When we look at Commercial Real Estate (CRE) in particular, there’s a high demand for servicing on a larger scale – and with that, finding the appropriate wireless protocol is imperative for smart homes and buildings to seamlessly and safely function. LoRa Technology, a solution that is rapidly expanding, is a long range, low power wireless platform that has become the technology of choice for IoT networks. The LoRaWAN open specification is a low-power, wide-area networking (LPWAN) protocol based on LoRa Technology. The LoRaWAN protocol is specifically designed to wirelessly connect battery operated devices and things, which is very important for this industry in particular.

LoRa Technology has the ability to break through dense building materials, and because of this, the solution is an ideal platform for IoT-connected smart homes and building devices. From smart whole-building control to managing water waste, LoRa Technology has a lasting impact on the overall operation and productivity of the space from safety, efficiency and cost perspectives.

We see LoRa Technology as a means to monitor the living conditions of smart properties, and even cities. Air pollution is commonly linked to different medical conditions, and until LoRa, there hasn’t been an efficient way to monitor air quality in a cost effective way. By embedding LoRa into the sensors and gateways of air pollution monitoring systems, cities can effectively gather data and identify problem areas. With battery operated sensors that can last up to 10 years, setup is inexpensive, and maintenance costs are reduced.

By utilizing LoRa Technology, companies have the ability to develop and deploy smart home and life products for enterprise and commercial smart building IoT applications. These smart products including sprinkler controllers and smoke alarms, can connect to a building’s network and be remotely monitored.  With this, maintenance needs can be predicted, ultimately cutting costs and increasing productivity.

Additionally, LoRa Technology can be implemented into smart buildings and homes as a way to monitor water damage, which typically serves as a major threat to properties, and overall water usage. Sensors share measurements with a cloud-based application that can indicate a number of things like a leak or broken pipe. Not only can the app shut off the water supply in threatening situations, but landlords can manage utility bills and recognize unnecessary water usage as well.  

Deploying IoT technology gives homeowners and landlords the security of maintaining a safe property and operating more efficiently, all while cutting back on costs. With LoRa Technology, the CRE industry not only advances, but our everyday living environments become safer.

Specialties: . Strategy: lead companies into market and technology innovations . Innovator: LoRa IoT www.lora-alliance.org ? Semiconductors & systems: integrated circuit design, Low Power analog sensing and RF fingerprint & camera CMOS sensors, MEMS digital TV (DVB_T &H). . Markets: IoT, M2M, Smart Meter, Sensors Networks, Proximity and 3D Gesture sensors for High End Consumer . International: based two years in China, 5 years Switzerland, 5 years in USA . Management: project & resources

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