Semtech Launches LoRa Plus™ LR2021 Transceiver with LoRa® Gen 4 Technology
Semtech (SMTC) has unveiled the LR2021, the first chip in its LoRa Plus family featuring fourth-generation LoRa IP technology. This advanced transceiver supports both terrestrial and SATCOM networks across sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM bands, and licensed S-band.
The LR2021 is designed for AI-enabled edge devices, offering enhanced features including:
- Data rates up to 2.6 Mbps for audio streaming and image transfer
- Backward compatibility with previous LoRa devices and LoRaWAN
- Multi-PHY compatibility with protocols like Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic, and Z-Wave
- Extended battery life and reduced BOM costs
- Best-in-class sensitivity down to -142 dBm
The device will be available for customer sampling in April 2025, targeting applications such as gunshot detection, glass break sensing, and license plate recognition.
Semtech (SMTC) ha presentato il LR2021, il primo chip della sua famiglia LoRa Plus che utilizza la tecnologia IP LoRa di quarta generazione. Questo avanzato trasmettitore ricevitore supporta sia reti terrestri che SATCOM nelle bande sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM e nella banda S a pagamento.
Il LR2021 è progettato per dispositivi edge abilitati all'IA, offrendo funzionalità avanzate tra cui:
- Velocità di trasmissione dati fino a 2.6 Mbps per streaming audio e trasferimento di immagini
- Compatibilità retroattiva con i dispositivi LoRa precedenti e LoRaWAN
- Compatibilità Multi-PHY con protocolli come Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic e Z-Wave
- Maggiore durata della batteria e riduzione dei costi del BOM
- Sensibilità di livello superiore fino a -142 dBm
Il dispositivo sarà disponibile per il campionamento da parte dei clienti a aprile 2025, mirando a applicazioni come il rilevamento di colpi di arma da fuoco, la rilevazione di rottura del vetro e il riconoscimento delle targhe.
Semtech (SMTC) ha presentado el LR2021, el primer chip de su familia LoRa Plus que cuenta con tecnología IP LoRa de cuarta generación. Este avanzado transceptor soporta redes terrestres y SATCOM en bandas sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM y banda S licenciada.
El LR2021 está diseñado para dispositivos edge habilitados para IA, ofreciendo características mejoradas que incluyen:
- Velocidades de datos de hasta 2.6 Mbps para streaming de audio y transferencia de imágenes
- Compatibilidad hacia atrás con dispositivos LoRa anteriores y LoRaWAN
- Compatibilidad Multi-PHY con protocolos como Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic y Z-Wave
- Mayor duración de la batería y reducción de costos de BOM
- Mejor sensibilidad en su clase, hasta -142 dBm
El dispositivo estará disponible para muestreo de clientes en abril de 2025, apuntando a aplicaciones como detección de disparos, detección de ruptura de vidrio y reconocimiento de matrículas.
Semtech (SMTC)는 LoRa Plus 가족의 첫 번째 칩인 LR2021을 공개했습니다. 이 칩은 4세대 LoRa IP 기술을 특징으로 합니다. 이 고급 송수신기는 sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM 대역 및 라이센스 S 대역에서 지상 및 SATCOM 네트워크를 지원합니다.
LR2021은 AI 지원 엣지 장치를 위해 설계되었으며, 다음과 같은 향상된 기능을 제공합니다:
- 오디오 스트리밍 및 이미지 전송을 위한 데이터 전송 속도 최대 2.6 Mbps
- 이전 LoRa 장치 및 LoRaWAN과의 하위 호환성
- Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic 및 Z-Wave와 같은 프로토콜과의 다중 PHY 호환성
- 확장된 배터리 수명 및 BOM 비용 절감
- -142 dBm까지의 최고의 감도
이 장치는 2025년 4월에 고객 샘플링을 위해 제공될 예정이며, 총기 발사 감지, 유리 파손 감지 및 번호판 인식과 같은 응용 프로그램을 목표로 하고 있습니다.
Semtech (SMTC) a dévoilé le LR2021, la première puce de sa famille LoRa Plus, qui intègre la technologie IP LoRa de quatrième génération. Ce récepteur émetteur avancé prend en charge à la fois les réseaux terrestres et SATCOM dans les bandes sub-GHz, 2,4 GHz ISM et la bande S sous licence.
Le LR2021 est conçu pour des dispositifs edge habilités à l'IA, offrant des fonctionnalités améliorées, notamment :
- Des débits de données allant jusqu'à 2,6 Mbps pour le streaming audio et le transfert d'images
- Compatibilité descendante avec les dispositifs LoRa précédents et LoRaWAN
- Compatibilité Multi-PHY avec des protocoles tels qu'Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic et Z-Wave
- Durée de vie de la batterie prolongée et réduction des coûts de BOM
- Sensibilité de premier ordre allant jusqu'à -142 dBm
Le dispositif sera disponible pour des échantillons clients en avril 2025, visant des applications telles que la détection de coups de feu, la détection de bris de verre et la reconnaissance de plaques d'immatriculation.
Semtech (SMTC) hat den LR2021 vorgestellt, den ersten Chip seiner LoRa Plus-Familie, der die vierte Generation der LoRa IP-Technologie nutzt. Dieser fortschrittliche Sender-Empfänger unterstützt sowohl terrestrische als auch SATCOM-Netzwerke in den sub-GHz-, 2,4-GHz-ISM-Bändern und im lizenzierten S-Band.
Der LR2021 ist für KI-fähige Edge-Geräte konzipiert und bietet erweiterte Funktionen, darunter:
- Datenraten von bis zu 2,6 Mbps für Audio-Streaming und Bildübertragung
- Rückwärtskompatibilität mit früheren LoRa-Geräten und LoRaWAN
- Multi-PHY-Kompatibilität mit Protokollen wie Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic und Z-Wave
- Erweiterte Batterielebensdauer und reduzierte BOM-Kosten
- Best-in-Class-Sensitivität bis zu -142 dBm
Das Gerät wird ab April 2025 für Kundenproben verfügbar sein und zielt auf Anwendungen wie Schussdetektion, Glasbrucherkennung und Nummernschilderkennung ab.
- New product launch expands company's IoT connectivity portfolio
- Higher data rates up to 2.6 Mbps enable new revenue opportunities
- Single-chip design reduces BOM costs and improves margins
- Multi-protocol support expands addressable market
- Product won't be available for sampling until April 2025
- Requires third-party stack offerings for certain protocol compatibility
Insights
Semtech's launch of the LR2021 transceiver represents a significant technological advancement in their IoT connectivity portfolio. This first chip in the LoRa Plus family integrates fourth-generation LoRa IP with multi-band support (sub-GHz, 2.4 GHz ISM, and licensed S-band) while maintaining backward compatibility—a critical factor for IoT ecosystem expansion.
The technical specifications reveal substantial improvements over previous generations: data rates up to 2.6 Mbps (enabling audio streaming and image transfer), best-in-class sensitivity down to -142 dBm, and multi-PHY compatibility with protocols like Amazon Sidewalk, Meshtastic, and Z-Wave. The switch-less front-end design for multi-region operation is particularly noteworthy as it enables global deployment with a single hardware SKU, substantially reducing manufacturing complexity and inventory management costs for OEMs.
What's strategically important here is how the LR2021 directly addresses emerging AI-at-the-edge requirements. By supporting higher data rates while maintaining low power consumption, Semtech is positioning itself at the intersection of two growing technology trends: IoT proliferation and edge AI computing. The ability to support advanced applications like license plate recognition and gunshot detection with years-long battery life removes a significant barrier to widespread adoption of AI-enhanced IoT devices.
The increased frequency offset tolerance that eliminates the need for temperature-compensated crystal oscillators represents a meaningful BOM cost reduction that should appeal to price-sensitive mass-market applications.
Semtech's introduction of the LR2021 transceiver strengthens their competitive position in the high-growth IoT semiconductor market. This launch addresses the critical bottleneck between AI capabilities and power-efficient wireless connectivity—a market gap that represents substantial revenue potential.
The multi-PHY approach is particularly valuable from a business perspective, as it enables Semtech to penetrate multiple vertical markets with a single chip design. By supporting both LoRaWAN for long-range applications and compatibility with shorter-range protocols like Z-Wave, the company can target diverse use cases from utility infrastructure to smart home applications. This cross-market applicability expands their total addressable market considerably.
The timing of customer sampling in April 2025 suggests revenue contribution beginning in late 2025 or early 2026, following standard semiconductor qualification cycles. From a production standpoint, the highly integrated design should yield improved manufacturing economies of scale and potentially higher gross margins compared to previous generations.
Most importantly, this product addresses rapidly growing edge AI applications that require more bandwidth than traditional IoT deployments. By enabling capabilities like audio streaming and image transfer while maintaining LoRa's power efficiency advantage, Semtech is positioning to capture share in higher-value IoT applications where data rates have previously been limiting factors. This move up the value chain should support higher ASPs and potentially improved revenue per customer compared to legacy LoRa deployments.
Advanced multi-PHY solution enhances long-range and low power with higher data rate protocol compatibility for AI-powered applications
Semtech Launches LoRa Plus™ LR2021 Transceiver with LoRa® Gen 4 Technology (Graphic: Business Wire)
The LR2021 addresses the demand for AI-enabled edge devices requiring low-power, extended range and superior penetration. It supports sensor data transmission for applications like gunshot detection, glass break sensing, license plate recognition, and fall detection, while operating on small batteries for years. With a data rate of up to 2.6 Mbps, it enables audio streaming and image transfer with outstanding link budget and efficiency. The state-of-the-art RF and analog architecture support multi-region deployment via a single-SKU design, while high integration reduces BOM costs, PCB footprint and power consumption compared to previous LoRa transceivers.
“The LR2021 revolutionizes IoT connectivity by addressing key challenges for AI-powered deployments of any scale,” stated Shahar Feldman, senior product marketing director for LoRa ICs at Semtech. “Whether for European utilities requiring both LoRaWAN and W-MBUS,
Key features of LR2021 include:
- Terrestrial and non-terrestrial network (NTN), Sub-GHz, 2.4GHz ISM and licensed S-band radio.
- Multi-PHY compatibility enables LP wireless protocols with third-party stacks.
- FLRC up to 2.6 Mbps, LoRa up to 200 kbps, FSK, OOK, O-QPSK and LR-FHSS modulations.
- Multi-region operation with single switch-less front-end design.
- +22 dBm to -10 dBm transmitter with best-in-class energy efficiency.
- Multi-spreading factors (SF) receiver with low noise figure, improved CAD and best LoRa sensitivity down to -142 dBm at SF12/125 kHz.
- Increased frequency offset tolerance obviating temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) and large thermal relief.
Part of Semtech’s award-winning LoRa Connect™ portfolio for sensors, the LR2021 empowers manufacturers to create globally-compatible sensors with a single hardware design. Its multi-PHY ensures backward compatibility with legacy devices while future proofing diverse applications in a cost-effective manner through high integration.
Meet With Semtech Experts
Semtech’s LR2021 is expected to be available for customer sampling in April 2025. Industry partners and customers can preview Semtech’s latest innovations and connect with the company's technical experts at:
-
Embedded World in Nuremberg,
Germany from March 11 – 13, 2025 (Hall 3, Booth 3-541) -
India Smart Utility Week (ISUW) in
New Delhi, India with the LoRa Alliance from March 18 – 21, 2025 (Booth 4-5) -
DistribuTECH in
Dallas, Texas from March 24 – 27, 2025 (Booth 4532)
About Semtech
Semtech Corporation (Nasdaq: SMTC) is a high-performance semiconductor, IoT systems and cloud connectivity service provider dedicated to delivering high-quality technology solutions that enable a smarter, more connected, and sustainable planet. Our global teams are committed to empowering solution architects and application developers to develop breakthrough products for the infrastructure, industrial and consumer markets. To learn more about Semtech technology, visit us at Semtech.com or follow us on LinkedIn or X.
Semtech, the Semtech logo, LoRaWAN and LoRa are registered trademarks or service marks of Semtech Corporation or its subsidiaries, and LoRa Connect and LoRa Plus are trademarks or service marks, of Semtech Corporation or its subsidiaries. All other trademarks and trade names mentioned may be marks and names of their respective companies.
SMTC-P
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310696498/en/
Michelle Lozada, pr@semtech.com
Source: Semtech Corporation
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