The LoRa Alliance has enhanced its LoRaWan Certification Test Tool (LCTT) functionality with the addition of numerous testing capabilities.

This expands the self-testing that end-device manufacturers can perform to validate end-device performance before seeking formal certification from a LoRa Alliance authorised test house (ATH). The ability to self-test accelerates the certification process while offering greater return on investment (RoI) savings.

“A strong certification programme is a must for any global standard to be successful,” said Donna Moore, CEO and chairwoman of the LoRa Alliance. “The LoRa Alliance continuously enhances its certification programme to ensure certification testing tools are robust while also minimising the time and cost required to certify. RFPs and tenders for IoT deployments are increasingly requiring LoRaWan certification. These enhancements to the LCTT make it easier than ever for end-device manufacturers to validate reliability and interoperability, thereby accelerating deployment effectiveness and enabling massive scale.”

Testing capabilities incorporated in the LCTT include for LoRaWan Layer 2 (L2) v1.0.2 and 1.0.4 specifications, including:

• Classes A, B and C
• Long-range frequency hopping spread spectrum (LR-FHSS)
• Back-off retransmission
• Certification by similarity
• Regional parameters v1.02 and 1.03
• OTAA/ABP
• Adaptive data rate
• Transmit power control
• Confirmed and unconfirmed frame tests
• Receive window tests
• Cryptography tests
• Add and modify channel tests
• Retransmission of confirmed frames

Benefits of using the LCTT include an accelerated certification process; manufacturers can debug and finalise their end-devices prior to starting the formal certification process.

It is said to bring significant cost savings in terms of time, labour and money to manufacturers who do not need to build their own test tools. It also provides an assurance to users that certified end-devices are reliable within their networks, where channel plans are supported or when roaming. End-devices are future proofed through demonstrated interoperability. End-device testing is supported in most countries worldwide and continues to grow.

This brings the ability to meet expectations of LoRaWan operators, who require certification with rapid and large-scale deployments.

There are 17 test houses worldwide that support LoRaWan certification testing.

LoRa Alliance members’ certified products will be listed in the alliance’s LoRaWan Showcase. The showcase is the official listing of LoRaWan certified devices and provides manufacturers global product visibility to grow their businesses. Each member receives one free LCTT licence with its membership and may purchase additional ones.

The LoRa Alliance is an open, non-profit association that was formed in 2015. Its members collaborate and share expertise to develop and promote the LoRaWan standard.