Kerlink, a global specialist in LoRaWAN networking solutions, announced at Enlit Europe that it is the first gateway manufacturer to offer LR-FHSS (Long Range – Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum) in its gateway line, with the Wirnet iBTS series.
Developed by Semtech and standardized by the LoRa Alliance as data rates in the LoRaWAN Regional Parameters, LR-FHSS is a long-range modulation that changes frequency throughout each transmission. This delivers high capacity, excellent sensitivity and strong resistance to interference.
As a result, large numbers of devices can transmit in the same band at the same time with minimal interference between them. LR-FHSS-capable end-device radios from Semtech are on the market, and leading LoRaWAN network servers support LR-FHSS data rates.
Meeting Demand for Additional Network Capacity
Utilities are connecting more meters and reading them more often, even as the sub-GHz ISM band grows more crowded. In Europe, EU requirements for remotely readable heat meters are driving the trend — and every new gateway site adds lease, power, installation and maintenance costs.
Adding LR-FHSS gives each gateway extra capacity on top of its existing LoRa traffic: the gateway handles both LoRa and LR-FHSS messages, so utilities can connect more meters and read them more often.
For U.S. networks specifically, LR-FHSS also lifts a regulatory constraint. FCC dwell-time rules restrict LoRa to SF10, with payloads of only 11 bytes. LR-FHSS is not subject to this limit, carrying larger payloads with a better link budget.
“Utilities and cities are connecting millions of meters and sensors, often in the hardest places to reach and in increasingly crowded spectrum,” said Yann Bauduin, chief sales officer of Kerlink. “With LR-FHSS on our Wirnet iBTS gateways, one gateway serves far more devices, in the toughest radio conditions, with no change to their network architecture. LR-FHSS runs alongside LoRa and is driven by the network server with a single command, so operators decide, device by device, which modulation fits best. And it can be activated on iBTS gateways already deployed.”
“LR-FHSS adds data rates to LoRaWAN that increase network capacity and robustness, especially valuable in dense deployments such as smart metering and smart cities, and for satellite uplinks,” said Shahar Feldman, vice president, marketing & ecosystem development at Semtech. “Semtech LoRa devices have supported LR-FHSS since the SX126x family, and commercially available gateways now turn that capability into real deployments. We welcome Kerlink’s support in its Wirnet iBTS range.”
