Sigfox for IoT

IoT LPWA market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 90 percent. It is expected that in 2021 the market size of about EUR 24.5 billion. SigFox and LoRa have been competitors in the LPWAN space for several years. There are LoRa and Sigfox networks in Finland -Sigfox network is operated by Connected Finland. SigFox is quickly expanding IoT LWPAN networking technology. SIGFOX is a cellular style system that has been set up to provide low power low data rate, and low cost communications for remote connected devices. It allows long distance communications from IoT devices to base stations, which means that quite large areas can be covered with low number of base stations. SigFox seems to want that mobile network operators adopt their technology for IoT deployments over both city and nationwide low power, wide-area networks (LPWANs).

Sigfox introduction

SIGFOX provides a cellular style network operator that provides a tailor-made solution for low-throughput Internet of Things and M2M applications.

Dedicated to the IoT means:

  • Simplicity : No configuration, no pairing, no signaling
  • Autonomy : Very low energy consumption, allowing years of autonomy on battery without maintenance
  • Small messages : No large assets or multimedia, only small messages

The SIGFOX network performance is characterised by the following:

  • Up to 140 messages per object per day
  • Payload size for each message is 12 bytes
  • Wireless throughput up to 100 bits per second

Typically Sigfox is used to transfer slow measurement data from sensors to the central data collection point – send only small and infrequent bursts of data (like alarms and meters). . It is also possible to use Sigfox also for bidirectional command-and-control functionality (there are some limitations due to the asymmetric link).

Sigfox technology

Sigfox is originally designed for the European regulatory bands between 865 and 868 MHz. SigFox uses ultra-narrowband technology: the extremely narrow bandwidth of one hundred hertz (ultra narrow band, UNB). Very narrow band enhances immunity which allows signal to go tens of kilometers in sparsely built area (in rural areas more than 200 kilometers of range possible). The network normally operates license-free 868 MHz frequency range in Europe (902MHz in the US). Sigfox equipped with a radio sensor device can be made to run with battery for ten years.

Sigfox uses a standard radio transmission method called binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), and it takes very narrow chunks of spectrum and changes the phase of the carrier radio wave to encode the data. This allows the receiver to only listen in a tiny slice of spectrum which mitigates the effect of noise. Sigfox system is designed so that it requires an inexpensive endpoint radio and a more sophisticated basestation to manage the network. Many chip manufacturers offer Sigfox endpoint radios, but the base stations are always provided by Sigfox company.

The SigFox business model takes a top-down approach: The company owns all of its technology—from the backend data and cloud server to the endpoints software. If you want to deploy a SigFox network, you have to work directly with SigFox—there isn’t another option and only one SigFox network can be deployed in an area (=no competition between Sigfox network operators). SigFox’s ultimate goal is to get large network operators from all over to world to deploy its networks. The strongest foothold in the technology has received in France, Spain, the UK and the Netherlands, where there are millions of Sigfox subscriptions. Sigfox networks is already being used in 24 different countries. It is expected that Sigfox networks are built to more than 60 countries by 2018.

SigFox is essentially an open market for the endpoints. SigFox endpoints use commodity MSK radios, and they are relatively inexpensive. You can get a chip for a few dollars and a module for less than $10 in volumes. Large manufacturers like STMicroelectronics, Atmel and Texas Instruments make SigFox radio chips. SigFox thinks that  allowing the application to be really inexpensive is the way to drive people to its marketSigfox is being aggressive in pricing, both for module s and data contracts. They recently announced that modules will be available for just $3 in 2017 and already have data plans with charges as low as $1.50 per year.

The world’s largest Sigfox client is VeriSure Securitas Direct. It has over a million intrusion protection, where the network connection is Sigfoxin and 3g combination. The alarm is triggered through the Sigfox network.

How to get started ?

You need 3 things to get started with SIGFOX :

  • A SIGFOX-ready module or transceiver (Check the available solutions on our Partner Network)
  • A valid subscription. Development kits & evaluation boards come with an included one-year subscription
  • Be in a covered area.

Let’s start playing with sigfox technology article shows how Sigfox communications can be done from Raspberry Pi and Arduino system. The example module works like a modem, based on AT command transfered over a 9600bps serial line. Sending a message on SigFox network is really easy – you just need to send the bytes over the AT interface :

AT$SS=00 01 02 03 04

OK

This command has sent the 5 bytes {00,01,02,03,04} over the network. The message length is a maximum of 12 bytes.

Because there are many module and chip manufacturers, there can be different interfaces on different products. You can find other application examples from Sigfox. Playing with starter kit and Sending a Sigfox Message with MicroPython articles.

When you have capability to send the messages, next thing is to receive them.This part is the more complicated in fact as you have to register the device in the SigFox backend. Once registered (frankly speaking, you need to be a professional to register your device or going through an integrator/distributor), you have access to the SigFox backend, here you can follow all your sensors activity, message received, rssi. Sending a Sigfox Message with MicroPython article says that when you need to register your device, head to https://backend.sigfox.com/activate.

When you have account is setup and you device is registered, lets start sending some messages! According to Sending a Sigfox Message with MicroPython article if everything worked correctly, you should now be able to see your message on the Sigfox Backend! Head over to https://backend.sigfox.com, login and click on the ‘Device’ tab,and you should be able to see your message (by default string of hexadecimal numbers, can be configured to other formats like ASCII string).

Theoretically you should have now sent and received your first Sigfox message.

 

More information:

SigFox Vs. LoRa: A Comparison Between Technologies & Business Models

Looking To Develop Long-range IoT Solutions? Discover New Sigfox Kits! – ChipsNWafers

Ready-to-use $2 IoT Modules From Sigfox! – ChipsNWafers

Ultra-low power, high performance, sub-1GHz transceiver web page tells about S2-LP high performance ultra-low power RF transceiver suitable for Sigfox and otherRF wireless applications in the sub-1 GHz band (140 dB link budget).

French IoT startup Sigfox nabs €150M Series E, reportedly at €600M valuation article from 20126 tells that French IoT startup Sigfox raises $160M Series E, sources say at a $637M valuation; Sigfox says it has around 10M devices registered on its network

Understanding Ultra Narrowband Modulation article tells that ultra narrowband modulation formats, in which sidebands are minimized, provide extremely bandwidth-efficient methods of transmitting high-data-rate information.

Valmis, sertifioitu lähetin IoT-verkkoon (article in Finnish about certified ATA8520E Sigfox platform from Microchip)

Wireless solutions for the SIGFOX Low-Power-Wide-Area-Network (LPWAN) (Atmel/Microchip)

SIGFOX for M2M & IoT tutorial

How Sigfox plans to spread its low-power IoT network across the U.S.

Sigfox home page

Sigfox makers page

Wikipedia: Sigfox

Connected Finland (Sigfox operator in Finland that aims for nationwide coverage by spring 2017)

Sending a Sigfox Message with MicroPython

Sigfox. Playing with starter kit

Security system using Sigfox and Arduino

Sigfox module for Arduino, Waspmote and Raspberry Pi – 868 MHz [XBee Socket] (1 year connectivity free)

Sigfox module for Arduino, Waspmote and Raspberry Pi – 868 MHz [XBee Socket] – (1 year connectivity free)

Sigfox Ready Technology for Arduino, Waspmote and  Raspberry Pi

Sigfox Talking Plant tutorial demonstrates how to make a plant talk on Twitter through Sigfox network.

Sigfox & Arduino Weather Station

Let’s start playing with sigfox technology

The Week In Review: IoT article says that Sigfox worked with ecosystem partners to offer IoT communication modules priced between $2 and $3, soon to be available around the world.

Articles in Finnish:

Suomen ensimmäinen esineiden internetin operaattori aloittaa (article about Sigfox and Connected Finland)

Suomeen tulee esineiden oma mobiiliverkko (aarticle about Sigfox and Connected Finland)

Nyt tulee edullinen moduulien internet (article in Finnish)

Esineiden internet vaatii omat verkot

Virtapihi IoT-radiopiiri (article about STMicroelectronics S2-LP transceiver IC that supports Sigfox)

61 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    At payload size of 12 bytes and data rate of 100 bits per second sending that packet takes around 1 second.

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main.ArduinoBoardMKRFox1200

    3.3V 32-bit 48 MHz ARM Core SigFox
    Arduino MKRFOX1200 has been designed to offer a practical and cost effective solution for makers seeking to add SigFox connectivity to their projects with minimal previous experience in networking.

    It is based on the Microchip SAMD21 and a ATA8520 SigFox module.

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    New Arduino IoT development board unveiled: MKRFOX1200
    https://www.open-electronics.org/new-arduino-iot-development-board-unveiled-mkrfox1200/

    This new IoT development board, which measures just 67 x 25mm in size, provides Makers with a low-cost solution for adding Sigfox connectivity to their DIY projects.

    The MKRFOX1200 takes the functionality of the Zero, throws in Sigfox’s global LPWA network, and shrinks it down into a smaller form factor. Sharing a similar footprint as its fellow MKR products, this board features a Microchip SAM D21 32-bit Cortex-M0+ microcontroller at its core, along with an ATA8520 RF transmitter module. Impressively, the MKRFOX1200 is capable of running for over six months on a pair of standard AA 1.5V batteries.

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Connected Target for Nerfs
    https://www.hackster.io/luisomoreau/sigfox-connected-target-for-nerfs-b50372?ref=search&ref_id=nerf&offset=1

    This project will show you how to build a connected target using Sigfox.

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    MKRFOX1200 Weather Monitor
    https://www.hackster.io/Arduino_Genuino/mkrfox1200-weather-monitor-6a94e2?ref=explore&ref_id=recent___&offset=1

    This project shows how to turn a MKRFOX1200 and a bunch of I2C sensors into a simple, battery powered weather station.

    We will use:

    * the onboard temperature sensor (low precision, ± 1 °C )

    * HTU21D I2C sensor to get humidity level

    * Bosch BMP280 to get the barometric pressure and precise temperature

    * TSL2561 Light Sensor to get luminosity

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Talking Plant
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/18194/sigfox-talking-plant-0d21bc?ref=search&ref_id=sigfox&offset=0

    This tutorial demonstrates how to make a plant talk on Twitter through Sigfox network.

    What is Sigfox Talking Plant?

    It is a simple project based on Sigfox network to make a plant talk on Twitter. The main goal is to demonstrate how to make an easy IoT prototype using Sigfox network.You can see a demo at http://sigfox.louismoreau.eu

    Which microcontrollers will be used?

    In this tutorial, we will be using an Arduino UNO and an ATMEL EVK shield. Other dev kits are available on Sigfox Partners

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    ARDUINO MKRFOX 1200
    https://store.arduino.cc/arduino-mkrfox1200

    MKRFOX 1200 is a powerful board that combines the functionality of the Zero and SigFox connectivity. It is the ideal solution for makers wanting to design IoT projects with minimal previous experience in networking having a low power device.

    Reply
  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    MKRFox1200 Weather Station
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/antoine-de-chassey/mkrfox1200-weather-station-255543?ref=platform&ref_id=424_recent___&offset=1

    What if we built a small weather station lasting for about 6 months with 2x AA, talking to Internet and working anywhere with SIGFOX?

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Texting with SiPY
    https://www.hackster.io/antoine-de-chassey/sigfox-texting-with-sipy-3316b4?ref=explore&ref_id=recent___&offset=0

    Send text messages without any SIM card using the SiPy by Pycom and the Sigfox network!

    Well, Sigfox allows you to send a small message to a contact of your choice by using a third-party texting API. In this tutorial, we will use Twilio.

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Make your own Donald Trump button!

    Make your own Donald Trump button to order your favorite drink thanks to @sigfox!
    https://github.com/aureleq/TrumpButton

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Trump Button
    https://www.hackster.io/48970/the-trump-button-5f6928?ref=explore&ref_id=recent___&offset=3

    The famous connected button to order your favorite drink using Sigfox network.

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Lock Box
    https://www.hackster.io/antoine-de-chassey/sigfox-lock-box-d839ee?ref=explore&ref_id=recent___&offset=11

    Sigfox allows you to use 4 downlink messages per day. The idea is to be able to update the password controlling the opening of the box. Therefore in this tutorial, every 6 hours (4 times per day), the box’s password will be set with a newly generated one from a web application. The owner can then decide to share the password to whom he wants. He will also be notified every time the box is opened!

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    13 Views of Sensors Expo 2017
    LPWA v. cellular in wireless IoT
    http://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1331965&page_number=4

    Microchip showed a startup’s electronic mousetrap embedded with its LoRa module (above) as well as the ATA8520 module for the Sigfox network (below) it acquired with Atmel. In the next booth, STMicroelectronics showed Murata boards for LoRa and Sigfox networks powered by its silicon.

    The exhibits showed vendors are still spreading out their bets in the low power wide area (LPWA) sector. Volumes are said to still be low — in the low thousands — but interest is high in the emerging field, with tire kickers talking about plans to deploy millions. Indeed, a Sigfox rep at the STM booth said it has 19 million bookings but would not comment on actual deployments.

    The Sigfox network claims lower interference and thus higher capacity than LoRa, the Sigfox rep said. In addition, its broadcast model is also more robust than LoRa’s approach that depends on point-to-point links.

    For its part, LoRa claims a bigger ecosystem and more open business model with several network providers deploying the technology. With Sigfox operating as a managed network it’s a classic cellular vs. Wi-Fi kind of battle.

    Speaking of cellular, a Verizon rep here said the operator has deployed thousands of LTE-M modules so far. Module prices are closing in on the “high teens.” The follow-on Narrowband IoT modules it hopes to start serving in late 2018 could fall to the low teens, just above the $10 LoRa/Sigfox modules.

    Cellular operators are being aggressive on data pricing, too,

    A tech executive from Orange that is deploying LoRa nets in France and elsewhere agreed

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Sigfox Arduino – Part 2 – Program To Send A Message
    https://blog.wirelessmoves.com/2017/05/the-sigfox-arduino-part-2-program-to-send-a-message.html#more-6594

    Like all Arduinos the Mkrfox is programmed in C/C++ in the a very easy to use Arduino graphical development environment (IDE). It doesn’t offer a million bells and whistles as it addresses first-time users and rapid prototyping of ideas.

    One of the installed libraries contains everything that is required to communicate from the ARM Cortex M0 based microcontroller via a serial SPI interface with the Sigfox chip. The Sigfox library encapsulates all overhead and details of the serial interface so sending a message only requires a few Sigfox library API calls such as Sigfox.begin(), .status(), .beginPacket(), .print(message), .endPacket() and .end().

    When you browse the web for Sigfox demo code you’ll find a lot of sources in which ‘AT-commands’ are used to communicate with the Sigfox chip.

    The Sigfox chip used on the Mkrfox board, however, does not use a UART (Universal Asynchronous Transciever) and AT-commands but a more modern SPI interface and command packet approach. If one has used AT commands for decades, the SPI interface looks a bit more complicated and abstract. It doesn’t really matter in practice as it is abstracted by the Arduino Sigfox library anyway.

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Lock Box
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/antoine-de-chassey/sigfox-lock-box-d839ee?ref=user&ref_id=198290&offset=0

    Ever needed to give something to someone but were not able to make the rendezvous? This Sigfox lock box is the solution!

    What if you had to store something precious to be picked up by someone you do not know? What if you were far away from the box and had to change the password for security reasons?

    This is where Sigfox comes in! Indeed, Sigfox allows you to use 4 downlink messages per day. The idea is to be able to update the password controlling the opening of the box. Therefore in this tutorial, every 6 hours (4 times per day), the box’s password will be set with a newly generated one from a web application.

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Voice Over Sigfox Network?
    https://www.hackster.io/stimpoff/voice-over-sigfox-network-bbc504?ref=explore&ref_id=trending___&offset=3

    A simple device featuring retro mechanical pulse dial and Sigfox connectivity.

    Phone number and action code are transferred via Sigfox network to an application which initiate SMS/CALL with prepared text based on action code. Device can be simplified to send just action codes to trigger various actions, eg. 12 – watering of garden, 123-turn of electricity, 999-launch ballistic missiles, etc.

    It could be very crude remote control.

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox PC Activity Monitoring
    https://www.hackster.io/antoine-de-chassey/sigfox-pc-activity-monitoring-623bab?ref=explore&ref_id=recent___&offset=3

    Distantly monitor PC activity, from anywhere without requiring it to be connected to the Internet. Remotely detect, track and report events.

    This tutorial will cover how to distantly monitor PC activity, from anywhere, without requiring it to be connected to the Internet. This kind of system could be used to remotely detect, track and report special events triggered on a computer.

    Harware
    M2COMM Uplynx RCZ1 Evaluation Board
    This board has a USB adapter which allows serial communication. We will use a simple Python script to communicate with AT commands.

    https://www.m2comm.co/portfolio-view/uplynx-rcz1/

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa and Sigfox are two of today’s most popular techniques for connecting IoT cells to the network. But what if the company does not know which technology should be chosen? No worries. Murata plans with STMicroelectronics to add a Sigfox connection to its LoRa module.

    According to Muratas, the solution provides a module that provides the “best of both worlds”. When the same workflow supports both technologies, the customer can decide which technology best supports its application for service requirements and costs.

    The Muratan module enables a hardware manufacturer to develop a solution that works on both networks, which can be used globally for the same firmware software.

    The Murata ABX-type module is based on the STM32 controller and Semtech’s SX1276 radio network. Its nominal transmit power is +14 dBm, but can be increased to +20 dBm for better coverage.

    Source: http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/6577-kaksi-suosittua-iot-tekniikkaa-samaan-moduuliin

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    ARDUINO MKR FOX 1200 CONTEST
    Give your IoT projects a voice with Arduino and Sigfox’s new board!
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/contests/arduino-mkrfox1200

    https://store.arduino.cc/arduino-mkrfox1200

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Mouser – Transceiver provides expanded reach and Sigfox compliance (STMicroelectronics STEVAL-FKI868V1)
    http://www.electropages.com/2017/07/mouser-transceiver-expanded-reach-sigfox-compliance/?utm_campaign=2017-07-28-Electropages&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_term=article&utm_content=Mouser+-+Transceiver+provides+expanded+reach+and+Sigfox+compliance

    The S2-LP ultra-low power, sub-1GHz transceiver from STMicroelectronics (ST) is now being stocked by Mouser. A successor to their SPIRIT1, the S2-LP radio chip offers designers increased transmission range, greater selectivity, ultra-low power consumption, and high configuration flexibility for IoT applications.

    The transceiver is an ultra-low-power radio optimized for RF products in the sub-1GHz band. The device operates in the license-free ISM and SRD frequency bands, with additional frequencies available through programming. The transceiver is ideal for use in networked products and support connectivity to the Sigfox global network, Wireless M-Bus, 6LowPAN, and IEEE 802.15.4g standards.

    The transceiver draws just 6.7mA when receiving, and 10mA when transmitting at an output power of 10dBm.

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Uber Button
    https://www.hackster.io/antoine-de-chassey/sigfox-uber-button-fdb260

    Simply press a button to request an Uber ride! Isn’t that cool?

    In this tutorial, we will be using the Sigfox network localization service (which can, for now, give at most a 1km radius position precision) in order to get a the closest position to a specified address and request an Uber ride accordingly. Therefore, we do not need a device with GPS.

    We will use a Sens’it but any device able to send a message over Sigfox can be used to accomplish this tutorial successfully.

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    SigFox and LoRa in the same IoT module

    Mutate is the first major manufacturer to offer the LPWAN module that supports both LoRa and Sigfox. The new ABZ LoRaWAN module can be used to build applications based on any of the sensor network standards. Both networks are already in commercial use.

    In Murat’s new module, dual software support is created with a software package. In addition to the LoRa stack, the Magraan ABZ LoRaWAN module can also utilize the Sigfox communication protocol stack.

    The Murata-IoT module allows designers to decide which available sensor network technology will best serve the application according to the site, service requirements, and cost.

    The new module includes ST Microelectronics STM32-based microcontroller and Semtech SX1276 RFIC. The RF part operated in the 806-930 megahertz frequency band and provides a nominal power of +14 dBm.

    The Muratan ABZ LoRaWAN module has, in addition to LoRa, a European certification for the Sigfox network.

    Source: https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2017/08/14/sigfox-ja-lora-samaan-iot-moduuliin/

    More: http://wireless.murata.com/eng/products.html

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Forest Fire Detector
    https://www.hackster.io/luisomoreau/sigfox-forest-fire-detector-9fd55b

    How to prevent forest from burning? A small Sigfox signal can prevent natural disasters. We will use an Arduino MKRFOX + a flame detector

    How to prevent forest from burning? A small Sigfox signal can prevent this natural disaster. In this project, we will use an Arduino MKRFOX1200, a flame detector, a temperature and humidity sensors.

    I chose to put all the integrated electronic inside a small bird house, feel free to adapt the support!

    Reply
  24. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Creating an IoT Dashboard with Xkit, Sigfox & AWS
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/daniel-thomas/creating-an-iot-dashboard-with-xkit-sigfox-aws-4a5779?ref=platform&ref_id=424_recent___&offset=9

    Create an AWS QuickSight analysis from Sigfox data generated by a Thinxtra Xkit.

    Reply
  25. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Getting Started with SigFox and PlatformIO
    http://www.thingforward.io/techblog/2017-10-18-getting-started-with-sigfox-and-platformio.html

    SIGFOX is a french company and the builder and operator of a wireless, cellular LPWAN for the Internet of Things. It can be used to connect small low-power devices to it and have these devices transfer sensor data to a backend. It utilizes radio frequencies within the ISM radio band, which is 868MHz in Europe and 902MHz in the United States.

    Reply
  26. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Really Smart Box
    https://www.hackster.io/TinamousSteve/really-smart-box-a3fba8

    Turn a Really Useful Box into a Really Smart Box with this drop in platform to help manage stock levels.

    The Really Smart Box platform turns a Really Useful Box ™ into an intelligent, internet connected storage box for stock monitoring. Based on the Sigfox Arduino MKR FOX 1200 it senses the weight of things stored in the box, along with temperature and humidity and uses the low power Sigfox radio to relay this information.

    Reply
  27. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Remote System Monitor © CC BY-SA
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/TinamousSteve/remote-system-monitor-b7f2fb?ref=platform&ref_id=424_recent___&offset=4

    Monitor a remote system (battery, power usage and sensors) with this Arduino MKR FOX 1200-based, Sigfox-connected solution.

    Reply
  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Carfox: A Device to Find Them All © GPL3+
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/luis-roda-sanchez/carfox-a-device-to-find-them-all-105573?ref=platform&ref_id=424_recent___&offset=5

    It makes your car smarter detecting accidents to help you where nobody can.

    This project has been developed using MKRFOX1200 board, an Inertial Measure Unit (IMU) with 9 Degrees of Freedom (DoF) and a flexible force sensor. To supplement the functionality of Carfox, I created a dashboard in Losant platform to receive data from Sigfox backend and visualise the geolocation of the vehicle and characterise the kind of accident.

    Reply
  29. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Up next: Disposable IoT
    https://www.networkworld.com/article/3228114/internet-of-things/up-next-disposable-iot.html

    Sigfox shows a 20-cent IoT wireless tracker chip that could report when and approximately where a package is opened.

    What if every package shipped contained a $0.20 tracker chip that could report when and approximately where the package was opened?

    That’s a service that internet-of-things wireless network operator Sigfox thinks its partners could offer over the next year.

    It demonstrated a prototype wireless module contained in a cardboard envelope at its partner meeting in Prague on Tuesday, triggering the sending of a text message when the envelope was opened.

    Ripping open the envelope, Sigfox scientific director Christophe Fourtet showed off what he described as “an ultra-thin battery, ultra-thin contacts, and an ultra-low cost module, a few tens of cents.” Seconds later, his phone buzzed to report delivery of the package.

    How Sigfox’s partners have been able to cut the cost of those wireless modules from US$15 in 2015 to $2 today — and, by dropping some non-essential functionality — will cut it to $0.20 in the near future is largely down to the architecture of its network.

    Its wireless base stations across the country use software-defined radios and highly sensitive antennas to listen out for 12-byte packets of data sent by simple, battery-powered wireless modules. Sigfox can then retransmit those messages over the internet, trigger the sending of SMSs, or feed them into corporate IT systems through its APIs.

    The modules that work with Sigfox’s classic service, now renamed Admiral Blue, are bidirectional (they can receive as well as send) and can encrypt their messages.

    “If you don’t need the bidirectional transmission, if you don’t need the full security, we can do something simple,” said Fourtet. That simple service, called Admiral Ivory, works with modules little more sophisticated than a garage door opener or wireless doorbell. “It’s an almost free-running oscillator with two basic IOs that you can find on any simple microcontroller or almost any digital device,” he said.

    The modules don’t need a GPS receiver to report their location: That’s all handled by Sigfox’s network. It’s able to locate the modules by comparing the strength of the signal received by its different base stations. For now it’s accurate to within a few kilometers for 80 percent of devices.

    In time that accuracy will improve to within a few meters in many cases, as the company is using machine learning to analyze the data it receives

    The wireless modules only represent part of the cost of sending a message over the Sigfox network: There’s also the cost of a subscription to the service.

    Those start at $10 — per year, not per month — for up to 140 messages per day. (Those messages are only 12 bytes long, or 8 bytes if sent from the network to the device, however.)

    Le Moan said that could come down to as little as $0.10 per subscription for devices such as package trackers that are only likely to send a few messages per year.

    Reply
  30. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Founder Seeks ROI in IoT
    Low-cost network pursues profits in 2018
    https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1332949

    Ludovic Le Moan is under the gun to find a return on investment in the Internet of Things this year. After raising $150 million in five rounds, the co-founder and CEO of Sigfox faces a deadline of breaking even before the end of 2018.

    To hit his target, Le Moan estimates that he will need to have about 10 million paying nodes on various Sigfox networks around the world. So far, he has about 4 million.

    Whether he makes his target or not, since the creation of Sigfox in 2000, Le Moan has been driving a vision of creating the lowest-cost network for the Internet of Things.

    Today, a Sigfox link costs about $1.20 to $2 in hardware, down from about $12 several years ago. The company’s revenue comes mainly from connection fees, currently pegged at about $5 to $6 per device per year for users with at least 10,000 nodes.

    Sigfox revealed a design last year that could drop the price to 20 cents or less for a transceiver that could deliver a basic notification. And for operators with 1 million nodes or more, the Sigfox connection fees are already down to $1 per device per year.

    “We started with the idea of delivering small messages in the most efficient way, and one day, it will be close to zero in hardware and transmission costs — this is my goal, one network with roaming around the world,” said Le Moan in an interview with EE Times.

    Sigfox depends on a single, venture-backed company and keeps its technology proprietary, noted one analyst. By contrast, NB-IoT and LoRa are based on published standards with products from multiple public companies.

    Reply
  31. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Founder Seeks ROI in IoT
    Low-cost network pursues profits in 2018
    https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1332949

    Ludovic Le Moan is under the gun to find a return on investment in the Internet of Things this year. After raising $150 million in five rounds, the co-founder and CEO of Sigfox faces a deadline of breaking even before the end of 2018.

    To hit his target, Le Moan estimates that he will need to have about 10 million paying nodes on various Sigfox networks around the world. So far, he has about 4 million.

    Whether he makes his target or not, since the creation of Sigfox in 2000, Le Moan has been driving a vision of creating the lowest-cost network for the Internet of Things.

    Today, a Sigfox link costs about $1.20 to $2 in hardware, down from about $12 several years ago. The company’s revenue comes mainly from connection fees, currently pegged at about $5 to $6 per device per year for users with at least 10,000 nodes.

    Sigfox revealed a design last year that could drop the price to 20 cents or less for a transceiver that could deliver a basic notification. And for operators with 1 million nodes or more, the Sigfox connection fees are already down to $1 per device per year.

    Reply
  32. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Secure your house with Sigfox (Arduino MKRFOX1200) — DIY
    https://medium.com/@iotplayer/secure-your-house-with-sigfox-arduino-mkrfox1200-diy-e6abbe05a26d

    In order to detect if your door is open or closed, we can use the Arduino MKRFOX1200 with a magnetic door sensor.

    You get an email/SMS every time your door is opening.

    With LowPower library, the system should work during at least 2 years!

    Reply
  33. Tomi Engdahl says:

    DIY Sigfox GPS Asset Tracking with Ubidots
    https://www.hackster.io/ubimaker/diy-sigfox-gps-asset-tracking-with-ubidots-6ccc18

    Connect your Sigfox GPS asset tracking device to Ubidots cloud and deploy your IoT asset tracking applications in no time

    The Suntech ST730 is a portable device equipped with Sigfox technology, the GNSS location, Wi-Fi, and a set of sensors — making it a nice option for out-of-the-box asset tracking. This module lets users manage data when needed, preventing excess energy consumption with efficient time-outs.

    This guide is does address the set up of the Suntech ST730 nor its possible configurations; instead, we will be showing a few good set-up practices for building a highly accurate GPS application.

    Reply
  34. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox Forest Fire Detector
    https://www.hackster.io/luisomoreau/sigfox-forest-fire-detector-9fd55b

    How to prevent forest from burning? A small Sigfox signal can prevent natural disasters. We will use an Arduino MKRFOX + a flame detector.

    Reply
  35. Tomi Engdahl says:

    SmartPostBox © GPL3+
    The post box of the future. Get notified when you receive mail!
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/LightPro/smartpostbox-f3f8dd?ref=user&ref_id=215268&offset=0

    Reply
  36. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Characterization of Sigfox Devices from Lab to Production Line
    https://www.techonline.com/electrical-engineers/education-training/tech-papers/4460789/Characterization-of-Sigfox-Devices-from-Lab-to-Production-Line

    The application note guides developers and manufactures of Sigfox Devices to perform the required and recommended measurements with test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz.

    Reply
  37. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Sigfox-Enabled Parking Lot © GPL3+
    https://create.arduino.cc/projecthub/jassak/sigfox-enabled-parking-lot-868f7f?ref=user&ref_id=288929&offset=0

    Driving around the town, looking for free parking space, leaving carbon footprint? No longer an issue, simply see Twitter for parking space.

    Reply
  38. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LPWAN, internet of things deployer Sigfox USA names new VP of sales
    https://www.cablinginstall.com/articles/2018/10/lpwan-iot-provider-sigfox-appoints-murray-kawchuk-sales-vp.html?cmpid=enl_cim_cim_data_center_newsletter_2018-11-05&pwhid=6b9badc08db25d04d04ee00b499089ffc280910702f8ef99951bdbdad3175f54dcae8b7ad9fa2c1f5697ffa19d05535df56b8dc1e6f75b7b6f6f8c7461ce0b24&eid=289644432&bid=2290029

    Sigfox U.S.A. states that the company “has experienced significant traction since the beginning of 2018. The company increased activated objects by 400 percent from the previous year, with a threefold increase in both the number of use cases in production and the number of active proof of concepts.”

    Reply
  39. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Open Source Breakout board Sigfox to Send Data to Azure IoT
    https://www.hackster.io/waltercoan/open-source-breakout-board-sigfox-to-send-data-to-azure-iot-74a3f5

    This project show the process of creating a breakoutboard from scratch to soldering a Sigfox modem from Wisol and send data to Azure IoT Hub

    The objective of this project is to assemble a PCB board that can use a Sigfox modem from Wisol company.

    This is the Wisol Sigfox modem WSSFM10R2AT that is used in Brazil to access the network. The cost of this component is about R$ 26 reais, that is not expensive, but they use SMD connection, make impossible for human soldering this

    Test with Azure IoT Hub
    The final step is test this board with a Raspberry Pi 3 model B, because the Wisol Sigfox modem works with 3.3v, and the Raspberry Pi is the best choice for this job.

    The Wisol Sigfox modem registration needs two information from the device the: Device ID and PAC. To

    The command AT$SB=1 will send the bit 1 to the Sigfox network.

    If you go back to the Sigfox page, you probably will see that the message arrived the Sigfox server!

    Now we can send this messages to Azure IoT Hub

    If you connect with the Device Explorer app, to monitor your new device, you will see the messages from they.

    Reply
  40. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Power and Connectivity Alarm
    https://www.hackster.io/stepanb/power-and-connectivity-alarm-33dc41

    In many areas you need to know if electric power or internet connectivity is available. This device sends message when you lost it.

    SigFox

    Reply

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