Sigfox Introduces Access Station Micro Sigfox Gateway

There are plenty of long range LPWAN standards for the Internet of Things, but the most common ones include LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, and Sigfox. LoRaWAN lead the way in terms of deployments, while NB-IoT and eMTC leverage existing cellular infrastructure but cost a bit more to operate. Sigfox works with $2 modules, but AFAIK so far you had to subscribe to the company network, and if your area was not covered you were out of luck.

Sigfox Access Station Micro gateway promises to change the situation, as companies can now add their own Sigfox gateway(s) where coverage is not available, and this could make Sigfox more popular, especially if one or more communities similar to The Things Networks form(s) around it.

Sigfox Access Station Micro SMBS-T4 specifications:

Radio characteristics:
- Standard – Sigfox Ultra Narrow Band Protocol for M2M and IoT
- Max range of operating frequencies – 865 to 928 MHz
- Max Receiver Sensitivity – -132dBm @ 100bps / -124dBm @ 600bps
- Data Rate and Modulation – 100 / 600 bps D-BPSK (UL), 600 bps GFSK (DL), OOK (Monarch beacon)
- Max Transmit Power (EIRP) – 23 dBm ± 1dB
- Integrated antenna
Interfaces
- 1x RJ45 (10/100BaseT) Ethernet
- 1x USB 2.0 female type A
Power Supply – 11 to 26V DC via Passive PoE with AC 220/110V adapter in package
Power Consumption – 2.3W typical (Rx mode, Ethernet) / 7.5W max peak
Dimensions (W, H, D) – 186 x 159 x 108 mm
Weight – 450 grams
Operating temperatures – -20°C to +55°C
Storage temperatures – -30°C to +85°C
Robustness – MTBF 92,000 hours
Protection – IP65 (with sealing cover)
Compliance
- Safety – EN 60950-1, IEC 60950-1 ; EN 62368-1, IEC 62368-1
- Radio – EN 300 220-2 ; EN 300 220-1; FCC part 15.247 ; ARIB STD-T108
- EMC – EN 301 489-3 ; EN 301 489-1; FCC Part 15 B ; FCC 15.207 and FCC 15.209

The gateway can handle up to 70,000 frames per day, cover an entire building, and in rural areas up to several hundreds square kilometers. Sigfox operates on bands similar to LoRa, so if I’d suspect if it’s legal to operate a LoRa gateway in your country, Sigfox gateways should not be a problem either (TBC), although some countries (e.g. Thailand, India) are not listed as being supported. Commissioning of the gateway must be done by the local Sigfox Operator, or alternatively re-commissioning can also be done with AAT (Automated Acceptance Tool) by connecting a suitable phone or tablet to the USB port of the station.

You’ll find the datasheet, quick start guide, and user guide on the products page. However, the price has not been released publicly, and the gateway does not show up on Sigfox store.

Via Electronics Weekly

Jean-Luc Aufranc (CNXSoft)

Jean-Luc started CNX Software in 2010 as a part-time endeavor, before quitting his job as a software engineering manager, and starting to write daily news, and reviews full time later in 2011.