One of the most compelling Internet of Things (IoT) applications has been asset tracking and environmental sensing. Inexpensive sensors implanted throughout industrial or energy machinery and appliances can make precise measurements of performance, helping engineers understand when components need to be serviced, or are reaching the end of their useful lives. The process can save significant time and money by reducing or eliminating failures and downtime.
Exeger is a Swedish company that manufactures fully customizable solar cells, It recently chose Semtech’s LoRa Edge asset management platform to integrate with Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cell technology. The hope is to significantly extend the battery life of critical asset tracking and environmental sensing devices.
Semtech’s LoRa Edge scans GNSS satellites as well as Wi-Fi SSIDs and partitions the processing between IoT devices and the LoRa Cloud to determine location. The cloud-based solver significantly reduces power consumption and increases battery life. Exeger’s Powerfoyle is flexible and durable and can be integrated seamlessly into any electronic device. The solar cell technology converts all forms of light to charge and power devices with clean, endless energy.
“Coupling the benefits of Powerfoyle with the ultra-low power capabilities of Semtech’s LoRa devices will provide IoT applications with an extended or even unlimited battery life,” said Dr. Oscar Hemberg, chief product integration officer at Exeger. “Together, we move one step closer to energy independence through more sustainable products powered with clean, endless energy.”
The Powerfoyle material integrates into IoT sensors with Semtech’s LoRa Edge chip-to-cloud platform with the goal of creating a new standard for environmentally friendly platforms for the IoT industry.
“LoRa devices enable smart IoT applications that help solve some of the biggest challenges facing our planet,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president and general manager for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group. “Semtech and Exeger’s collaboration will enable manufacturers to develop IoT devices leveraging new energy harvesting technology for a smarter and more sustainable future.”