Microchip rolls out the first Sigfox FCC-certified Long-range RF Transceiver and Connectivity Development Kits for IoT Applications
Microchip Technology and Sigfox has jointly announced the industry’s first FCC-certified, fully integrated RF transceiver and kits for developing IoT solutions for use on the Sigfox network.
The new kits contain the first FCC-certified board and arms Microchip’s highly integrated ATA8520E, a low-power RF transceiver with an integrated AVR microcontroller, allowing developers to easily connect to Sigfox’s long-range, two-way global IoT network – resulting in a low-cost, low-power device-to-cloud connectivity solution.
The solution comes in two versions. Customers can either purchase Microchip’s Sigfox-certified ATA8520E as a standalone kit, designed primarily to test the technology, or as a kit combined with an Xplained PRO board, a solution for system-design purposes. Both are dedicated for Sigfox’s IoT network in the license-free ISM bands. The solutions come complete with the Sigfox library, modulation, ID and PAC code, and a security key enabling IoT developers to quickly get their design to market.
Sought to be Ideal for IoT applications in the US, the new solution is learned to address the demands from logistics, agriculture, smart cities and other machine to machine (M2M) sectors. The ATA8520E is also the first fully Sigfox-certified chip suitable for both North America and Europe.
The companies have coupled to further drive down IoT device costs, operational costs and power consumption, ultimately resulting in substantially longer battery life compared to traditional cellular, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.
“The applications for the rapidly growing IoT market are endless,” said Matthias Kaestner, vice president of Microchip’s Radio Frequency and Automotive business unit. “With this new FCC-certified solution combining the best of Microchip and Sigfox offerings, the possibilities are unlimited for the billions of IoT connections. Our Sigfox solution gives any IoT application the secure, long-range wireless connectivity required to get these ‘smart’ things ‘connected’ – at a fraction of the cost and power consumption of a cellular connection.”
“We are excited with Microchip’s long-range wireless solution as it is compelling, reliable and out-of-the-box ready,” said Tony Francesca, Sigfox vice president of Global Ecosystem Partners. “With its FCC certification, we look forward in partnering with Microchip to enable many IoT use cases and billions of devices to be connected to Sigfox’s network in the US and other countries that are based on FCC type approvals”
Availability
There are currently four types of development kits exclusively available for both US and European networks. For additional information and to purchase, contact any Microchip sales representative or authorised worldwide distributor or visit www.atmel.com/products/wireless/sigfox. Kits are also available on the Sigfox Partner Network.
