Backers of the LoRa communications protocol for the Internet of Things (IoT) have introduced a kit that will enable IoT application developers to prototype their apps more rapidly in a LoRa system.

The development kit was created by wireless hardware and software manufacturer Libelium and network services and software provider Loriot. It was announced by Semtech Corp. (Nasdaq: SMTC), a supplier of analog and mixed-signal semiconductors for LoRa devices and a key proponent of the LoRa ecosystem.

With so many competing IoT solutions proposed, one of the best ways for a market combatant to stand out is to make it easier for developers of IoT applications to get their applications up and running faster, ideally reducing time to market as well. Quicker prototyping can help application developers do that.

LoRa is already beginning to distinguish itself in the IoT communications market; the introduction of the development kit should help the LoRa Alliance as it attempts to establish LoRa as one of the major low power wide area network (LP-WAN) options for IoT applications. (See SK Telecom Sees LTE-M, LoRa as Its 'Two Main IoT Pillars'.)

The development kit is comprised of a LoRa base station and ten sensor devices (all featuring Semtech LoRa technology), application software and a connection to Loriot's cloud-based LoRaWAN network.

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The base station is the Multitech Conduit LoRa Gateway 3G Outdoors. The base station can be configured for the European (868 MHz) or North American (915 MHz) markets. Among the sensors are devices for detecting or measuring luminosity, ultrasound, soil moisture, temperature/humidity and carbon dioxide.

Semtech said the new development kit is optimized for smart city, smart security, smart environment and smart agriculture applications.

"Developing IoT applications typically involves setting up a network and testing the various hardware components and software to ensure everything operates correctly," said Javier Martínez, Libelium's vice president of business development and sales. "With our kit, customers do not have to spend time configuring and testing a network, because we are able to provide them with a LoRaWAN network connection that has already been tested and set up to run seamlessly with the kit components and software."

The kit is available for roughly $5,800 (€5,200).

— Brian Santo, SeniorEditor, Components, T&M, LightReading