Demonstration confirms Low Power Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN [2]) communications over the Iridium network delivering reliable communications for the Internet of Things (IoT) from anywhere on earth.
Stream Technologies, a global leader in connectivity solutions for the Internet of Things, and Global Satellite Engineering (GSE), provider of next-generation engineering solutions for the satellite industry, today announced the successful demonstration of Low Power Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) communications over the Iridium® network. This demonstration took place at the LoRa™ Alliance Open House in Rotterdam, Netherlands, an event focused on enabling simple interoperability for the Internet of Things (IoT) and machine-to-machine (M2M [3]) solutions.
Stream Technologies' IoT-X Platform is an award-winning connected device platform developed to monitor, manage and monetise M2M applications. By using the Iridium network to backhaul LoRa [4] capabilities, customers will be able to deploy "pop-up networks" in remote locations, taking full advantage of the flexibility provided by both technologies.
"This opens up great possibilities for using LoRa networks where cellular coverage is not available, and where using multiple satellite end points is not cost effective," said Alan Tait, chief technology officer at Stream Technologies. "We can now leverage the Iridium network to enable LoRa networks anywhere, opening up new opportunities for the M2M and Internet of Things industries."
The Iridium network is a global, mobile satellite constellation comprised of 66 low-Earth orbit satellites, enabling coverage spanning the entire globe, including the poles. Its unique mesh architecture delivers reliable, near real-time communications for a wide range of M2M solutions and markets.
"We are excited that Stream Technologies and GSE are able to demonstrate the power that Iridium can bring to the Internet of Things by extending LoRa based networks anywhere on the planet. Together with our partners, we can enable low-cost global IoT networking across 100 percent of the globe," said Tim Last, vice president and general manager, M2M line of business at Iridium.
Stream Technologies, which is a contributing member of the LoRa Alliance, is providing its world-leading IoT-X connectivity management platform to enhance the commercial capability LoRa networks. IoT-X provides carrier-grade subscription management, detailed device analysis, connection status, network monitoring, billing, and a super resilient backhaul infrastructure to provide a virtual state of network representation all from the same environment. IoT-X can access data from any IoT device irrespective of technology; it is simply a unique endpoint making data and connection type transparent to the network operator - cellular, satellite, or LoRaWAN technologies. This enables LoRa network to access alternative forms of connectivity to complement its LoRaWAN network.