LoRa technology has long been a favourite for IoT deployments where range and battery life are more important than raw throughput. As devices at the edge take on more complex tasks such as image recognition and audio classification, they must send larger packets of data without losing efficiency. Semtech’s new LR2022 and LR2012 transceivers expand the LoRa® Gen 4 family to help solve that challenge.
The LR2022 introduces dual-band support, operating in both sub-GHz and 2.4 GHz ranges. This allows a single design to work globally and even connect with satellite-based IoT networks, reducing the need for separate regional versions. The LR2012 takes a different approach, focusing on sub-GHz performance with sensitivity down to –142 dBm. That level of performance enables reliable links in noisy RF environments and supports extended outdoor deployments where range and link budget are critical.
Technical Enhancements
Both devices build on the LR2021 launched earlier this year and include improvements to LoRa and FSK radio performance. Engineers gain faster and more efficient Channel Activity Detection, support for multiple spreading factors, and precise Round Trip Time of Flight measurements for distance estimation and network optimisation. The devices remain backward compatible with more than 450 million LoRa nodes already deployed, allowing upgrades without replacing existing infrastructure.
Why It Matters
LoRa Gen 4 closes the gap between long-range, low-power networks and short-range protocols that offer higher throughput. With data rates up to 2.6 Mbps, designers can now enable edge AI workloads including drone telemetry with image transfer, AI-enabled security cameras, and predictive maintenance systems that stream sensor data in near real time while still running on battery power.
Availability
The LR2021 is in customer sampling with production scheduled for October 2025. The LR2022 and LR2012 will follow in the first and second quarters of 2026. Semtech will present live demonstrations of image transfer and multi-protocol networking at The Things Conference 2025 in Amsterdam.
Learn more and read the original press release at www.semtech.com
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