Semtech, Exeger show solar powered IoT sensor location

Business news | November 10, 2022

By Nick Flaherty

Wireless Communications IoT Energy Harvesting

Swedish solar cell developer Exeger is working with Semtech in the US for a solar power asset management system for sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT).

Semtech’s LoRa Edge asset management platform has been combined with Exeger’s Powerfoyle solar cell technology to significantly extends the battery life of asset tracking and environmental sensing devices. These communicate back to a cloud service to provide location data, scanning 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, opening up the sue of solar cells. The patented Powerfoyle material integrates into IoT sensors and converts all forms of light and is increasingly used in IoT applications.

Atmosic teams for Exeger’s IoT solar cells

“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.”

This opens up solar-powered tracking for geolocation, including indoor and outdoor asset tracking, global supply chain logistics, agriculture, smart utilities, and smart cities.

“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.”

www.semtech.com; www.exeger.com; www.powerfoyle.com