Internet of Things (IoT) technology offers a slew of benefits including real-time information access for asset tracking and smart building applications. However, deploying an IoT solution, which involves many moving parts, can be time-consuming.
To simplify and shorten the IoT deployment process for systems Integrators and enterprises, analog and mixed-signal semiconductor supplier Semtech Corporation has initiated key partnerships. Semtech offers IoT deployment solutions with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and TensorIoT, a system and software integrator.
Two pre-packaged, ready-to-go IoT kits, one for asset tracking and another for smart buildings, are being offered by Semtech as TensorIoT kits.
“Semtech’s LoRa is a proven IoT solution that has been implemented in a variety of industries ranging from smart home and community to asset tracking and smart buildings. Our collaboration with AWS shows that LoRa devices are connected everywhere and LoRa is the de facto platform for IoT LPWAN applications,” said Alistair Fulton, General Manager of Semtech’s Wireless & Sensing Products Group.
The TensorIoT Asset Tracking kit includes:
- Hardware. Required IoT hardware devices based on the LoRaWAN protocol (long battery life, enhanced distance/coverage and a proven protocol).
- Software. Customizable open-sourced AWS cloud dashboards for asset tracking and management on a map.
The TensorIoT Smart Building Kit includes:
- Hardware. Required IoT hardware devices based on the LoRaWAN protocol (long battery life, enhanced distance/coverage and a proven protocol).
- Software. Customizable dashboard to enable easy visualization in the cloud of key metrics within a building.
These kits are based on the LoRaWAN protocol compatible with AWS IoT Core and a serverless architecture enabling systems integrators and enterprises to leverage previously unavailable AWS native services:
- AWS IoT Core
- Amazon API Gateway
- AWS Lambda
- Amazon CloudFront
- Amazon Simple Storage Service (Amazon S3)
- Amazon DynamoDB
The AWS solutions are also scalable, for flexible growth, following initial deployment.
Both kits have been pretested. Users can take the AWS cloud dashboard (management console) “as-is” for proof-of-concept. Then before moving into the production phase, users can customize the infrastructure ready for outsourcing to AWS.
“LPWAN technologies represent a rapidly growing frontier of connectivity choices for IoT. Hundreds of millions of constrained devices are being connected to solve real world challenges in every vertical. These devices need to be able to communicate through multiple levels of concrete for smart structures or over miles of distance in remote telemetry cases while running on tiny batteries that last 10+ years,” said Michael MacKenzie, General Manager, IoT Connect and Control, AWS. “With companies like Semtech, AWS IoT Core customers are delivering LPWAN solutions using LoRa without sacrificing scalability, availability or security.”
The TensorIoT Asset Tracking Kit and the TensorIoT Smart Building Kit are available on the Amazon website with a retail price of $1500 and $1100 respectively. This is the first of a series. Additional kits for other vertical market segments will be available in the future. This time-saving, bundled concept may set a trend for other suppliers to follow.