Microchip launches its first Sigfox FCC-certified remote RF transceiver and connectivity development kit for IoT applications

     Microchip Technology and Sigfox, the world's leading global solution provider for the Internet of Things (IoT), have teamed up to launch the industry's first FCC-certified, fully integrated RF transceiver and toolkit to support Sigfox's nets-specific IoT solutions.

     The new kit is powered by Microchip's highly integrated ATA8520E, a low-power RF transceiver with integrated AVR® microcontrollers. In addition, the new kit includes the first FCC-certified board that allows developers to easily connect to Sigfox's remote two-way global IoT network, a low-cost, low-power device-to-cloud connectivity solution.

     This is particularly suitable for IoT applications in the US market, ranging from logistics to agriculture, smart cities and other machine-to-machine (M2M) sectors. The ATA8520E is also the first chip to receive full Sigfox certification for the North American and European markets.

     The solution is available in two versions for customers to choose from. Customers can purchase Microchip's SIGFOX-certified ATA8520E, which is a standalone kit designed primarily to test the technology, or a solution for system design that is a kit combined with an Xplained PRO board. Both are dedicated to Sigfox IoT networks in the unlicensed ISM band. These solutions also come with Sigfox libraries, modulation, ID and PAC codes, and a security key to help IoT developers bring their designs to market quickly.

     Sigfox currently operates in 24 countries and has more than 8 million devices registered on its network. The company is working to build a seamless global network to provide simple, energy-efficient and ubiquitous connectivity for billions of devices that need to send small amounts of data regularly and remotely. Sigfox and Microchip are working together to reduce IoT device costs, operating costs, and power consumption, resulting in significantly longer battery life than traditional cellular, Bluetooth, or Wi-Fi® connections.

     "The IoT market is growing rapidly, and applications are emerging," said Matthias Kaestner, vice president of Microchip's RF and Automotive business unit. "The new FCC certified solution combines the best of both Microchip and Sigfox technologies to enable billions of IoT connectivity possibilities. Our Sigfox solution provides IoT applications with the security needed for remote wireless connectivity, enabling the interconnection of such 'smart' things at a fraction of the cost and power consumption of cellular connectivity."

     Tony Francesca, vice president of global ecosystem partnerships at Sigfox, said: "We are very excited about the irresistible charm, superior reliability and off-the-shelf availability of Microchip's remote wireless solutions. "With FCC certification, we look forward to working with Microchip to enable a multitude of IoT applications that will enable billions of devices to connect to Sigfox's network in the U.S. and other countries based on different FCC types of certification."