Enabling multi-protocol IoT deployments on single hardware for smart metering, smart home and industrial applications
Semtech Corporation, a leading provider of high-performance semiconductor, Internet of Things (IoT) systems and cloud connectivity service solutions, today announced its Unified Software Platform (USP) for LoRa Plus devices, which leverage fourth-generation LoRa® technology to enable advanced multi-protocol support.
LoRa USP
addresses a critical industry challenge: managing LoRaWAN®, Wireless M-Bus, Wi-SUN FSK, and proprietary protocols on a single hardware platform, eliminating the need for protocol-specific hardware variants.
“Protocol fragmentation is a persistent challenge for utilities deploying smart metering at scale,” said Robin Duke-Woolley, chief executive officer of Beecham Research. “Multi-protocol support on a single platform addresses a critical need, reducing inventory complexity while giving utilities enhanced infrastructure resilience and the flexibility to deploy the optimal connectivity solution for each environment.”
Shahar Feldman, Semtech’s senior director of wireless ICs product marketing, said:
“LoRa USP enables smart meter manufacturers to achieve economies of scale and network resiliency while giving utilities the flexibility to choose any microcontroller unit (MCU) partner and maximize return on software investment.”
LoRa USP Key Benefits
LoRa USP succeeds LoRa Basics Modem as Semtech’s multi-protocol firmware platform for LR20xx LoRa Plus radios, with backward-compatible build options for Generation 2 and 3 devices.
- Single SKU deployment – Reducing inventory complexity and manufacturing costs
- Dynamic protocol selection – Network flexibility based on deployment environment
- Investment protection – Open-source framework preserves software investments across hardware generations
- Faster time-to-market – Comprehensive examples and evaluation tools accelerate certification
Market Context
While the global smart metering market is projected to grow to $108 billion by 2034 at an annual rate of 14% according to Global Market Insights, the challenge of protocol fragmentation combined with regional frequency variations and legacy system requirements has forced meter manufacturers to maintain separate SKUs, increasing inventory costs and complexity.
According to IDC research, more than 80% of utilities and nearly 70% of meter vendors identify openness and interoperability as top priorities when selecting metering solutions. The availability of LoRa USP enables European and global utility companies to achieve the required backward compatibility for Wireless M-Bus and proprietary protocols used in walk-by/drive-by Automated Meter Reading (AMR) while deploying LoRaWAN for Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). It significantly enhances the success of utilities through a single product offering from meter manufacturers.
Availability
LoRa USP is available now for LoRa Plus devices.
Semtech will demonstrate dual connectivity for smart metering with dynamic switching between LoRaWAN and wireless M-Bus at Enlit 2025 (Nov. 18-20, in Bilbao, Spain, booth #1.C42) with partners EMBIT and WEBDYN. A second demo will feature Wi-SUN stack with Semtech’s LR2021 IC supporting both terrestrial and SATCOM networks.
At Enlit, Semtech will also showcase its comprehensive device-to-cloud cellular and satellite IoT solution, demonstrating end-to-end connectivity for utility and energy applications including:
- HL7900E 5G Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) module – Streamlined version of the HL7900 designed for cost-effective connectivity in smart metering applications
- EM8695 RedCap module – Globally certified mid-tier 5G connectivity for IoT deployments
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