Semtech announced that WaterBit, a venture backed precision agriculture irrigation company and National Science Foundation (NSF) grant winner, has incorporated Semtech’s LoRa devices and wireless radio frequency technology (LoRa Technology) into its Autonomous Irrigation Solution (AIS).
WaterBit provides irrigation automation for growers based on analysis of granular, ground-truth data collected through the WaterBit system, including line pressure and flow, soil moisture and temperature and more. With WaterBit’s AIS, growers maximize yield across soil types, while optimizing the use of labor and other input resources. The complete solution is used across a wide variety of crops including grapes, berries, tree nuts, cotton, corn and leafy greens.
WaterBit’s goal when developing its solution was to create the highest quality and most reliable networking product in agriculture. To achieve this, WaterBit eliminated batteries in its production units and enabled duplex communications as well as better control with LoRa Technology.
Key Features of LoRa Technology:
- Long Range: A single base station using LoRa Technology enables deep penetration capability for dense urban environments and indoor coverage, while also providing the ability to connect to sensors more than 15-30 miles away in rural areas.
- Low Power: Enables unprecedented battery lifetime of up to 10 years depending on the application.
- Geolocation: Enables tracking applications without GPS or additional power consumption.
- Low Cost: LoRa Technology reduces up front infrastructure investments and operating costs, as well as end-node sensor costs.
- Open Standard: The LoRaWAN open protocol ensures interoperability among applications, IoT solution providers and telecom operators to speed adoption and deployment.
Semtech | www.semtech.com
Sponsor this Article
Circuit Cellar's editorial team comprises professional engineers, technical editors, and digital media specialists. You can reach the Editorial Department at editorial@circuitcellar.com, @circuitcellar, and facebook.com/circuitcellar
