We collaborate with a global connectivity provider Lacuna Space to design, develop and test IoT devices that use LoRa®, now considered the de facto standard for Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN). The devices will be deployed by Lacuna Space in its field trials in numerous locations around the world for applications such as tracking wildlife in Antarctica or measurements at sea. We have been working together for the last three years to understand the user requirements for the Internet of Things (IoT) and deliver robust and secure solutions.
Lacuna Space is deploying a constellation of 32 small satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to form the Lacuna Network. The LoRa-based Space Gateway on each satellite uses the long-range LoRaWAN® communication protocol to receive short data messages from IoT sensors on the ground or at sea. With its satellites orbiting at 500km above earth, this Network will provide ubiquitous communications for devices anywhere in the world, even in regions without wireless coverage. The devices on the Lacuna Network will seamlessly integrate with any LoRaWAN® network on the ground when this is in reach.
Marine buoy equipped with sensor and LoRaWAN® communications module.
Picture Credit: Lacuna Space
“We have been eager to get to this point for a long time. The global connectivity offered by our network is only one part our solution. We will soon be able to deploy large quantities of devices developed in collaboration with multiple partners that we have worked with for some time, such as IRNAS,” said Rob Spurrett, CEO and co-founder of Lacuna Space. “ There is literally a sea of opportunity in data from sensors in a marine environment. Whether measuring water quality driving policies around pollution, sea temperature for environmental monitoring or tracking sea turtles! The combination of robust devices and connectivity anywhere at sea will open up applications that were considered just impossible until now”.