New Zealand building automation firm IQnexus is working with California-based Semtech to produce indoor air and environment quality sensors using LoRaWan.

The sensors are integrated with LoRa devices for monitoring air quality in real time.

Semtech supplies analogue and mixed-signal semiconductors and algorithms. IQnexus provides IoT end-to-end technology that can be integrated into building automation.

The indoor air (IAQ) and environment quality (IEQ) sensors use Semtech’s LoRa devices that run via LoRaWan for building automation systems. The IAQ sensors have no ongoing cloud fees, reduce carbon dioxide emissions and are compliant with the Well and Reset standards.

The use of LoRa and LoRaWan in the IAQ sensors seamlessly integrates the sensors into existing building infrastructures due to them being easy to deploy and their cost-effectiveness.

“When developing the new IAQ sensors, we decided to take on a completely different approach to how IoT can improve a building’s air quality,” said Michael Welzel, chief technology officer at IQnexus. “For an easy, on-premise solution we chose to implement Semtech’s LoRa devices and the LoRaWan standard into the indoor sensor for building owners to accurately monitor their building’s indoor air quality all in real time. The growth of this market has been massive and collaborating with Semtech was the ideal choice to better improve air quality for all our customers in many countries.”

Through the use and connectivity of LoRaWan, the IAQ sensor can communicate through standard protocols such as Bacnet and ModBus to any building automation and energy management system, and even scada systems. According to IQnexus, a typical installation of the IAQ sensors features one IoT platform, installed on an on premise NBNanos server, about 20 to 30 gateways, and 700 to 1000 sensors for a 30 to 50 floor building. The sensors cover IAQ and IEQ, as well as provide a higher comfort by measuring single HVAC zones.

“IQnexus’ implementation of our IoT highlights how flexible and easy to deploy our LoRa solutions are in helping to maintain air quality for all within a building,” said Marc Pégulu, vice president at Semtech. “Improving the quality of life for humankind and the environment showcases Semtech’s ongoing commitment to create a smarter and greener world through IoT technology.”

IQnexus was launched in 2016.