EchoStar Mobile, an EchoStar company (Nasdaq: SATS), has now made available the first and only S-band LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay (EM-SR) device with associated network functions to help businesses fill terrestrial coverage gaps.
The EM-SR Relay is specifically designed to solve key challenges with traditional LoRaWAN® sensors in distribution and monitoring networks such as smart metering, distributed sensors, and remote connectivity. This solution provides cost effective LoRaWAN connectivity to sparsely deployed or hard to penetrate building locations without the need for extensive and expensive operational infrastructure.
IoT sensors may be located deep indoors in hard-to-reach places, such as underground, in basements, in metal cabinets, or other remote areas making conventional LoRaWAN implementation challenging. The EM-SR LoRaWAN® Satellite Relay device eliminates the need to deploy terrestrial LoRaWAN gateways to fill connectivity gaps.
The EchoStar Mobile S-band satellite network implements the LoRa Alliance’s LoRaWAN Relay Specification enabling multiple terrestrial LoRaWAN sensors to send and receive LoRaWAN packets via a single satellite enabled “Relay.” It is possible to connect multiple sensors using standard terrestrial LoRaWAN radios—better serving locations where there is no direct view of the sky.
The EM-SR is a self-contained unit that can connect 16 terrestrial LoRaWAN sensors and transfer data through the satellite network. It features a battery-powered satellite backhaul using energy-harvesting solutions and supports Firmware Updates Over the Air (FUOTA), which enables long-term, scalable, and economical deployment.
Offered as key component of a managed solution, the EM-SR device includes a management platform and associated APIs for integration with third party management platforms.
“We are committed to fueling innovation that enhances the accessibility and reliability of connectivity in remote regions and those without connectivity infrastructure. This network provides new economics for connecting sensors located at the edge of terrestrial radio frequency coverage—providing essential connectivity for hard-to-reach locations, where adding conventional LoRaWAN gateways may not be economically attractive,” said Telemaco Melia, Vice President and General Manager, EchoStar Mobile. “European businesses now have access to a low cost, scalable, and reliable solution that solves difficult remote connectivity problems and enables all points of their network to be connected economically.”
“Seamless connectivity, both terrestrial and satellite-based, is essential for unlocking the full potential of IoT,” said Olivier Beaujard, Chair of the Board of the LoRa Alliance, and LoRa ecosystem Senior Director for Semtech. “With a simple firmware update, the LoRaWAN ecosystem’s broad portfolio of terrestrial sensors can now easily benefit from satellite IoT services. This is a game changing innovation that will extend low-cost satellite coverage to difficult to reach areas, such as underground and indoors.”
“Advancements in connectivity technology continue to create greater opportunity—filling gaps that previously made service unavailable or unreliable. As the first of its kind, this network underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering superior connectivity to European Businesses,” said Chris Britton, Managing Director, Hughes Europe. “We are proud to make available this innovative and unique solution to European organizations, helping them optimize operations and boost the bottom line.”