Accelerating the development of LoRa-based connected solutions
Implementing long-distance connectivity and extended battery life

LoRa (Long Range) technology is extending the communication range of IoT by combining low-power performance with long-distance wireless connectivity.

Microchip Technology announced on the 14th that it has released a LoRa SiP featuring an ultra-low power 32-bit MCU, a sub-GHz RF LoRa transceiver, and a software stack to accelerate the development of LoRa-based connected solutions.
The SAM R34/35 SiP provides verified interoperability through major LoRaWAN gateways and network providers, along with a certified reference design, enabling significant simplification of the entire development process through hardware, software, and support. These devices support the industry's lowest power consumption in sleep mode and further extend the battery life of remote IoT nodes.

Most LoRa end devices remain in sleep mode for extended periods and wake up to operate only when transmitting small amounts of data packets. The SAM R34 device, equipped with the ultra-low power SAML21 Arm Cortex-M0+ based MCU, supports sleep mode with power consumption as low as 790nA to significantly reduce power consumption and extend battery life in end applications. The SAM R34/35 family, highly integrated in a small 6 x 6mm package, is suitable for long-range, low-power IoT applications requiring small form factor designs and years of battery life.

In addition to this ultra-low power consumption, developers can achieve faster designs by combining application code with Microchip's LoRaWAN stack through a streamlined development process and utilizing the ATSAMR34-XPRO development board (DM320111), supported by the Atmel Studio 7 SDK, to rapidly prototype. With this development board, which is certified by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Industry Canada (IC), and the Radio Equipment Directive (RED), developers can gain confidence that their designs will meet regulatory requirements across various regions.

LoRa technology is designed to enable low-power applications to communicate over a much wider range compared to Zigbee, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth via the LoRaWAN open protocol. Suitable for various applications such as smart cities, agricultural monitoring, and supply chain tracking, LoRaWAN enables flexible IoT networks capable of operating in both urban and rural environments. According to the LoRa Alliance, the number of LoRaWAN operators has more than doubled from 40 to 80 in the past year, and LoRaWAN networks are being actively deployed in over 100 countries.
The SAM R34/35 family helps reduce customer risk and accelerate RF application design through Microchip's LoRaWAN stack support and certified, verified chip packages. With global LoRaWAN support operating in the 862–1020 MHz range, developers can streamline the design process and reduce inventory burdens, while utilizing a single variable section anywhere. The SAM R34/35 family supports Class A and Class C end devices, as well as patented point-to-point connectivity.

Microchip's SAM R34/35 LoRa family is available in six device variants, providing developers with the flexibility to select the optimal combination of peripherals and memory for end applications. The product family includes the SAM R34 device, which is provided in a 64-lead TFBGA package, and the SAM R35 device, which does not have a USB interface.

Steve Caldwell, Vice President of Wireless Solutions at Microchip, said, “The LoRa ecosystem is entering a rapid growth phase, and as a founding member of the LoRa Alliance, Microchip is a strong growth driver for the success of LoRa technology,” adding, “With the SAM R34, Microchip will continue its reputation as a comprehensive supplier for small and low-power devices, providing benefits such as free software, excellent customer support, and reliable supply.”