Semtech and Chinese firm Shenzhen Sundray Technology are creating smart campuses and classrooms with LoRaWan. The connected applications promote safer, smarter and more effective learning amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The two companies worked together to develop a software-defined classroom using IoT based on the LoRaWan protocol. Sundray’s platform leverages the long range and flexible networking capabilities of LoRaWan to support and deliver a portfolio of connected applications for the classroom.

“The long range networking capabilities of LoRaWan enable simple and effective IoT applications that provide safe, secure and connected classrooms during these uncertain times,” said Zhang Weibin, IoT operations director at Sundray. “Educational institutions can take advantage of the proven flexibility of LoRaWan and realise the benefits of unified smart campus management.”

With the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak, schools, universities and other institutions worldwide are increasingly seeking to integrate technologies that create safer and smarter campuses for their student populations. In China, these sentiments are echoed by the government, which recently developed the GB/T 36342-2018 standard requiring increased data collection on campus processes and promoting the development of technologies for flexible learning in and out of the classroom.

Sundray developed its software-defined classroom to enable compliance with government standards and allow the quick connection of smart campus applications under a single unified network. The IoT platform leverages the LoRaWan protocol’s interoperability functionality and California-based Semtech’s LoRa devices to support many third party devices and thousands of sensors per gateway.

Several applications currently use the platform to promote safer learning spaces, including classroom occupancy, equipment usage, temperature monitoring, door and window locks, and air quality sensors. Additional applications include those for the efficient use of teaching resource assets such as projectors and smart boards.

To date, Sundray’s platform is being used by more than 20,000 educational professionals across China, including those at Southeast University, Nanjing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics, Beijing University of Posts & Telecommunications, Guangzhou Tieyi Middle School, Huainan No 2 Middle School, and Fuzhou Jinshan Middle School.

“As an leader in the LoRaWan ecosystem, Sundray’s new software-defined classroom platform creates innovative smart campuses by not only enabling compliance with new government policies, but also significantly promoting safer, flexible teaching and classroom practices,” said Mike Wong, vice president of China sales at Semtech. “The LoRaWan protocol, enabled by Semtech’s LoRa devices, allows universities and other learning institutions to quickly bring its processes online by providing reliable connectivity across large campuses with minimal infrastructure cost. Accurate condition monitoring helps classrooms provide the safest environment possible so staff and students can focus on learning rather than health concerns.”

Sundray Technologies is an all-in-one enterprise wifi and smart switch brand of Sangfor Group and an enterprise WLAN vendor.