German connectivity company Stackforce’s wireless M-Bus (wM-Bus) connectivity has been integrated into the Quectel KG200Z LoRa module for smart metering and other applications.

Announced at this month’s Embedded World in Nuremburg, this is said to bridge the gap between short-range and long-range communications.

WM-Bus is a sub-GHz European standard (EN 13757-4) that operates efficiently in short-range, local networks, such as within buildings or industrial sites, while LoRa is better at long-range communication spanning several kilometres. By combining both, smart meters can communicate locally via wM-Bus and transmit data over long distances using LoRa.

“Adding wM-Bus to our already popular KG200Z LoRa module creates a hybrid that benefits from both short-range efficiency and long-range connectivity,” said Norbert Muhrer, president of Quectel Wireless. “This integration enhances network flexibility, optimises power consumption, ensures regulatory compliance and improves data transmission reliability, making it ideal for smart metering, industrial IoT and smart city applications.”

With many European and global utility companies requiring wM-Bus for smart metering communication, supporting both wM-Bus and LoRa through the KG200Z module provides cost-effective, scalable and compliant options for smart city and industrial deployments, ensuring seamless integration into existing infrastructures.

“The integration of our wireless M-Bus and LoRaWan dual stacks into the Quectel KG200Z LoRa module enables seamless and reliable communication for various IoT applications,” said Konrad Aicher, commercial managing director at Stackforce. “This collaboration highlights the importance of interoperable and efficient communication technologies in the era of smart cities and industrial digitalisation. Ensuring compatibility with the latest standards like OMS v4.5.1 and LoRaWan v1.0.4, including the related pre-certification, not only simplifies implementation, but also reduces integration costs and accelerates time to market for our customers.”

The KG200Z (www.quectel.com/product/lora-kg200z) is a LoRa module built on the ST Microelectronics STM32WLEx series microcontrollers, a LoRa system-on-chip (SoC) platform. Designed for low power consumption and full LoRaWan protocol compatibility, it integrates essential components such as a power management unit, power amplifier, low noise amplifier and RF transceiver switch.

The module features an Arm Cortex-M4 core and supports multiple modulation techniques, including LoRa, (G)FSK, (G)MSK and BPSK, operating across a frequency spectrum of 470-510MHz and 862-928MHz LoRa bands.

With versatile connectivity options, the KG200Z includes interfaces such as uart, SPI, I²C and SWD, making it adaptable for various applications. Engineered for efficiency, its low power design extends battery life, making it an eco-friendly and cost-effective choice for IoT deployments.

Additionally, its 12.0 by 12.0 by 1.8mm LGA package allows for seamless integration into diverse devices, offering manufacturers and developers the flexibility to implement reliable and scalable IoT.

Stackforce’s code size-optimised dual stack enhances the KG200Z with robust and efficient software, ensuring seamless communication and performance. Featuring a flexible API, it allows for easy integration and adaptation to diverse IoT applications. This collaboration enables Quectel to equip the KG200Z with a scalable and future-proof software foundation.

To help users streamline their design processes, Quectel (www.quectel.com) offers two sub-1GHz antennas for this module – the YEIN002AA and YE0019AA. Both support LoRa technology and come in multiple formats, providing flexibility and compatibility to meet diverse project requirements.

Stackforce (www.stackforce.com) is a provider of embedded software for industrial wireless and wired communication technologies. Specialising in protocol stack development, it enables seamless and secure connectivity for IoT, Industry 4.0 and smart metering applications.