Semtech’s LoRa Devices, LoRaWAN Standard Serve as ‘IoT Backbone’ of New Vutility Energy Monitoring System

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Semtech Corporation, a leading global supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, announced its collaboration with Vutility, leading provider of real-time, high-resolution, energy monitoring solutions – enabling businesses to optimize their energy consumption and improve operational efficiencies. Vutility’s ‘HotDrop’ features Semtech’s LoRa® devices and the LoRaWAN® standard to provide real-time, circuit-level energy monitoring of a facility which can help save on electricity costs. The ‘HotDrop’ is very easy to onboard via QR code. Market research firm Frost & Sullivan reported the total cost of HotDrop ownership was 90% lower than competing metering monitoring devices on the market.

“A key challenge we faced when developing the ‘HotDrop’ solution was to identify a wireless IoT standard that was able to communicate out from inside an electrical distribution panel, with similar radio-frequency disruptions to a Faraday cage, and through multiple dense walls and floors of buildings,” said Micheal Austin, chief technology officer for Vutility. "The long-range transmission capability of LoRaWAN was able to meet and even exceed expectations for ‘HotDrop’ to maintain wireless, real-time transmission signals to the Cloud. Leveraging LoRaWAN was ideal for us to scale the ‘HotDrop’ solution.”

‘HotDrop’ from Vutility is self-powered, non-intrusive, and completely battery- and maintenance- free. Once installed, there is no need to open-up the panel again for service. In addition, the solution was designed to be “instantaneous” to install, without requiring the facility to de-energize. The installation of a “HotDrop” is a “snap”, with a simple QR code scan for onboarding through an Android or iOS device and wireless clip closure around the monitored circuit. The implementation of LoRa devices (SX1272) and LoRaWAN serve as the “IoT backbone” of the solution, delivering actionable real-time, circuit-level data via application programming interface (API) to any end application. The minute-by-minute relay of data benefits users to monitor their electricity usage in real time, potentially saving on costs.

“The flexibility of LoRaWAN provides a robust connectivity option that complements other technologies, especially in the utilities market,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president of IoT product marketing and strategy for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “Vutility’s ‘HotDrop’ solution smartly employs LoRaWAN to produce efficient energy usage while also meeting sustainability initiatives important to the smart utilities and metering industries today.”