Miromico AG partners with danalto to introduce its low-cost 2.4 GHz LoRa®-transceiver module based on Semtech’s SX128x for ranging applications through Avnet Silica
Zurich, Switzerland, 18th of December 2020 – Miromico, a provider of Internet-of-Things (IoT) sensors and gateways based in Zurich, today announced the introduction of its FMLR-8x-x-STLx modules to the EMEA market through Avnet Silica, an Avnet company (Nasdaq: AVT). Miromico has partnered with danalto, an IoT platform provider specializing in asset tracking, to enable location services on the FMLR-8x-x-STLx modules based on Semtech’s LoRa® 2.4 GHz technology.
The FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRa® and LoRaWAN® IoT modules enable wireless connectivity to devices, systems and sensors communicating with high data rates or over a long distance. The 2.4 GHz modules support long range Time-of-Flight (ToF ranging) distance-measurement. Additionally, power consumption can be optimized to run from a small-sized battery. The integrated ARM Cortex-M0+ or M4 32-bit microcontroller runs entire RF stacks and has sufficient resources available to run user applications. The system can easily be extended with low power sensors to build production-ready IoT sensor nodes.
The FMLR module is available with additional on-board flash memory to enable Over-the-Air (OTA) update and data storage. It supports additional modulation schemes like the very efficient and robust high-bitrate and long-range FLRC and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). This enables communication with smartphones, tablets, gadgets and more. Optional low-power high precision temperature compensated oscillators (TCXO) for both RTC and radio is also available. In order to support fast prototyping and development, the module’s firmware including the wireless stack can be updated via SWD, UART-Bootloader or optional via OTA.18
“With our wireless module family concept we provide the perfect support. Fast prototyping and cost competitive scale up is the key.” Alex Raimondi, Director Embedded – Miromico.
Advantages of danalto’s distributed IoT platform using Miromico’s FMLR-8x-x-STLx modules
danalto’s distributed IoT platform has the ability to passively track a device’s (SX1280) location across open spaces between anchor points. Radio signals are analyzed to determine location. danalto IoT provides highly accurate location services over large distances with little infrastructure, and at a lower cost than traditional technologies like GPS, BLE, UWB, or WiFi.
danalto IoT offers location services using a distributed IoT platform architecture with platform elements running on devices, gateways and in the cloud. Two-way ranging and advanced ranging are two techniques used to uncover the device’s location. danalto IoT is being used across a range of industrial settings supporting open spaces – both indoor and outdoor.
danalto’s latest location service utilizes LoRa® at 2.4 GHz as the core technology and can achieve accuracies of 5-10m over 5+ km area with tags that operate at ultra-low power and last for 5+ years.
“Leveraging Miromico’s best in class devices which include the SX1280, danalto have been able to move ahead with deploying this technology into sectors where an offering of this nature was not available until now. This has been ground-breaking for our customers, and with quality and timeliness in the delivery of Hardware being so critical, MiroMico have been able to support again and again.” Albert Baker, COO – danalto.
Potential Applications
Heavy Industry – Open-pit Mining
Wide area, outdoor (e.g. 5km2 area) – low powered personnel tracking using wearables required for Health and Safety procedures during blasting. GPS-like accuracies required 3-5 km. LoRa® at 2.4GHz achieves 3-5m accuracy over 5km2 using a battery which will last at least 2 years. This is an offering in this vertical not available before now.
Logistics – Warehousing
Wide open spaces, indoor; personnel and asset tracking for optimisation initiatives, time-of-use studies etc required in large spaces with little infrastructure on a low power device. LoRa® at 2.4 GHz results in 10x fewer Gateway nodes required vs Bluetooth / WiFi due to the long-range nature of this technology, while still providing between 3-5 metres accuracy.
Miromico’s LoRa® at 2.4 GHz product roadmap
Together with its partners, Miromico intends to extend its family of LoRa® and LoRaWAN® modules with the 2.4 GHz LoRa® technology based on Semtech’s SX128x chipsets. The modules will be available throughout Q1 2021 through Avnet Silica.
“Miromico is a key partner for Avnet Silica to drive the IoT strategy to the next level. With a wide variety of LoRa® products such as modules, boards, and finished devices, Miromico is providing essential building blocks for a highly scalable solution for customers working on innovative new LoRa® based IoT use cases.” Juerg Siegenthaler, Manager 3rd Party Management – Avnet Silica
For more information on the FMLR-8x-x-STLx LoRaWAN® module, please visit Miromico’s website.
Please send your sample request to lora@avnet.eu
About Miromico
Miromico is an innovative high-tech company, focusing on design services in the areas of integrated circuits, electronic systems, and software. It has many years of technology experience in the field of RF technology and in particular the Internet-of-Things (IoT). As LPWAN solution provider, Miromico provides its customers leading- edge sensors and gateways that are at the forefront of technology. Learn more at https://www.miromico.com.
About danalto
danalto is a distributed IoT platform which provides high-accuracy location services from device to cloud, enabling asset tracking and management across large open spaces, both indoor and outdoor. Utilizing LoRa® at 2.4 GHz technology, danalto is transforming asset tracking in a range of industries, and making it simple and cost-effective, with minimal power and infrastructure. danalto is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. To learn more, please visit https://www.danalto.com
About Avnet Silica
Avnet Silica is the European semiconductor specialist division of Avnet, one of the leading global technology distributors, and acts as the smart connection between customers and suppliers. The distributor simplifies complexity by providing creative solutions, technology and logistics support. Avnet Silica is a partner of leading semiconductor manufacturers and innovative solution providers over many years. With a team of more than 200 application engineers and technical specialists, Avnet Silica supports projects all the way from the idea to the concept to production. Avnet Silica is a regional business unit of Avnet, (NASDAQ: AVT) with European headquarters in Belgium (Avnet Europe Comm. VA). For more information, visit www.avnet-silica.com
About Avnet
Avnet is a global technology solutions provider with an extensive ecosystem delivering design, product, marketing and supply chain expertise for customers at every stage of the product lifecycle. We transform ideas into intelligent solutions, reducing the time, cost and complexities of bringing products to market. For nearly a century, Avnet has helped its customers and suppliers around the world realize the transformative possibilities of technology. Learn more about Avnet at www.avnet.com.
Media Contacts
Anja Woithe
Senior PR Manager Avnet EMEA
+49 (0) 8121 774 459
Mary Kathryn Midgett
Head Marketing at danalto
Sarah Frigg
Head Marketing at Miromico
About the Authors
Schekeb Fateh
Schekeb Fateh received the Ph.D. degree in Microelectronics from ETH Zurich, Switzerland, in 2015. In 2015, he started to lead the R&D of the fabless semiconductor SME called ACP AG which is specialised in cellular communications chipsets in particular for the Chinese market. In 2017, he has started to work in the position of Business Development at Miromico which is specialised on hardware design services and high-end IoT products.
Alex Raimondi
Alex Raimondi received the Master in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from the renowned ETH in Zurich, Switzerland, in 2002. Since 2004, he has been leading the embedded design group of Miromico in order to develop advanced hardware – from high performance FPGA systems to ultra low power sensor devices. Currently, he is the director of the embedded design group at Miromico. Since 2015, he is also co-founder and CTO of Chip-ing, a high-tech start-up creating value through the intensive use of novel technologies. Currently, Chip-ing is developing the innovative golf 3.0 products.
Juerg Siegenthaler
In his current position, Juerg is responsible for the third party network at Avnet Silica. He is also heavily involved in project management for the development and launch of IoT ecosystems. In his previous roles, Juerg was Head of an ASIC Design Center, responsible for product management and sales, Country Director, and Technical Marketing Manager.
Albert Baker
Albert has a decade of experience working for Tier 1 telecom operators in Ireland and the Netherlands in the design and optimisation roles within large Core and Radio teams for 3/4G and scaled M2M networks. He has been deeply involved in IoT device and service innovations since 2015 leading to the co-founding of danalto in 2017. Along with his interest in Music and Creative Media, Albert has a keen interest in geo-location without GPS. Albert holds a B.A and M.Phil degrees from Trinity College Dublin.
