LoRa finds way into food safety

The LoRa wireless protocol has shown a lot of promise in enabling a number of IoT applications. Now, food monitoring can be added to that list. Semtech Corporation, a supplier of high performance analog and mixed-signal semiconductors and advanced algorithms, announced that Laird Connectivity has integrated LoRa devices and LoRaWAN protocol in temperature monitoring sensors developed for the ComplianceMate solution for food safety, created by CM Systems.

Laird Connectivity has Semtech’s integrated LoRa devices and LoRaWAN protocol in temperature monitoring sensors developed for food safety monitoring systems.
Laird Connectivity has Semtech’s integrated LoRa devices and LoRaWAN protocol
in temperature monitoring sensors developed for food safety monitoring systems.

“Semtech’s LoRa devices presents exciting new opportunities for restaurants to get smart about their operations, implement more effective food safety systems and drive greater efficiencies,” says Steve Getraer, president of CM Systems, in a statement. “We already had what we felt was a very stable wireless Bluetooth sensor. Through our partnership with Laird Connectivity, we were introduced to LoRa devices and discovered it was secure, low-power and produced a significantly more reliable signal even in difficult conditions.”

CM Systems, a provider of monitoring systems for food safety compliance and operational effectiveness, was the first company to incorporate LoRa-based wireless sensors and LoRaWAN networks in a temperature monitoring system for commercial kitchens. Customers range from large restaurant chains such as Shake Shack, Five Guys and Hard Rock Café to growing regional brands like City Barbeque and Hattie B’s. The IoT solution penetrates stainless steel doors, concrete walls and even multiple stories, while boosting battery efficiency with battery-powered sensors.

In February 2018, downtown Nashville experienced a power outage after Hattie B’s had closed for the night. With ComplianceMate’s LoRa-based alert system, store management was notified about the failure immediately and was able to safely transport at-risk product to another facility―saving $35,000 to $50,000 worth of inventory.

“Our LoRa-based gateways and sensors are purpose-built from the ground up to create secure, scalable, robust LoRa network solutions that stay connected in the harshest environments,” said Jonathan Kaye, Senior Director, Product Management of Laird Connectivity, in a statement. “Combined with our complete IoT design services capabilities and certification laboratory, we have all the expertise and tools needed to support LoRa projects and ensure successful deployment.”