Microchip launches Sigfox FCC-certified RF transceiver and connectivity development kits

Microchip Technology, a provider of microcontroller (MCU), mixed-signal, analog and Flash-IP solutions, and Sigfox, the provider of global solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT), have launched the industry's first FCC-certified, fully integrated RF transceiver and kits for developing IoT solutions for use on the Sigfox network.

Powered by Microchip's highly integrated ATA8520E, a low-power RF transceiver with an integrated AVR microcontroller, the new kits contain the first FCC-certified board that allows developers to easily connect to Sigfox's long-range, two-way global IoT network – resulting in a low-cost, low-power device-to-cloud connectivity solution.

This is ideal for IoT applications in the US, ranging from logistics, to agriculture, smart cities and other machine to machine (M2M) sectors. The ATA8520E is also the first fully Sigfox-certified chip suitable for both North America and Europe.

The solution is available in two versions. Customers can either purchase Microchip's Sigfox-certified ATA8520E as a standalone kit, designed primarily to test the technology, or as a kit combined with an Xplained PRO board, a solution for system-design purposes. Both are dedicated for Sigfox's IoT network in the license-free ISM bands. The solutions come complete with the Sigfox library, modulation, ID and PAC code, and a security key enabling IoT developers to quickly get their design to market.

Currently operating in 24 countries and registering over 8 million devices in its network, Sigfox is on its way to establishing one global, seamless network that provides simple, ubiquitous, energy-efficient connectivity for billions of devices that periodically will send small quantities of data over long distances. Sigfox and Microchip are teaming together to drive down IoT device costs, operational costs and power consumption, ultimately resulting in substantially longer battery life compared to traditional cellular, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity.

"The applications for the rapidly growing IoT market are endless,"said Matthias Kaestner, vice president of Microchip's Radio Frequency and Automotive business unit. "this new FCC-certified solution combining the best of Microchip and Sigfox offerings, the possibilities are unlimited for the billions of IoT connections. Our Sigfox solution gives any IoT application the secure, long-range wireless connectivity required to get these 'smart' things 'connected' – at a fraction of the cost and power consumption of a cellular connection."

"We are excited with Microchip's long-range wireless solution as it is compelling, reliable and out-of-the-box ready,"said Tony Francesca, Sigfox vice president of Global Ecosystem Partners. "its FCC certification, we look forward in partnering with Microchip to enable many IoT use cases and billions of devices to be connected to Sigfox's network in the US and other countries that are based on FCC type approvals"