Category: News Releases

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Subterranean sensors in mining operations. Special lighting effects in large event venues. Sensor networks in trailers and tractor-trailer communication. Smart and safe industrial battery charging. Smart irrigation systems. Secure airfield strip lighting. These and other industrial applications are wildly disparate, but they share one thing in common: the need for reliable, efficient communication solutions that can operate in diverse and often challenging environments without any dedicated wiring.

While the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) spans many applications with diverse requirements, the need for cost-effective narrowband communication is universal. Efficient, low-bandwidth connectivity forms the backbone of the IIoT, enabling businesses to streamline operations, enhance safety and efficiency, and drive innovation. Addressing these varied requirements in an effective manner using existing infrastructure and spanning a wide range of applications is one of the stumbling blocks to IIoT deployments.

One company has built a successful business model around addressing these types of niche applications. Semitech Semiconductor provides multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to meet the diverse requirements of such industrial applications, even in environments with connectivity challenges, bridging the gap between specialized requirements and scalability.

Semitech’s long-tail business model is based on the typically long life span and the resulting lifetime value of IIoT implementations. It emphasizes adaptability, allowing the company to efficiently address a multitude of market needs with a single, extensible solution. This approach not only reduces the complexity of managing diverse product lines, but also enables the company to remain agile in the face of evolving technological landscapes and maintain the high quality of its solutions. The company’s commitment to providing adaptable, budget-friendly communication solutions for niche applications is exemplified by its recent move to make its PLC technology more accessible through the introduction of plug-and-play Click boards™. These Click boards reduce time to market through rapid prototyping, streamlining the integration of PLC into industrial automation systems.

“The IIoT landscape is inherently dynamic and fragmented, presenting a myriad of challenges,” noted Semitech CEO Zeev Collin. “The companies that possess the agility to swiftly adapt their technology will emerge triumphant. At Semitech, we find the sweet spots in industrial applications and deliver the core technologies that underpin reliable communications across diverse use cases in those applications.”

For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Semitech Semiconductor

Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

Media Contact:
Stephanie Olsen
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

Semitech Semiconductor Supports PLC/RF Hybrid Mesh to Maximize Coverage and Improve Connectivity in Challenging Industrial Environments

MELBOURNE, Australia, April 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Picture it: a bustling manufacturing plant where every machine, every process, and every component seamlessly communicates to optimize operations. In this scenario, a predictive maintenance system powered by the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) detects a subtle anomaly in a critical piece of machinery, well before it escalates into a costly breakdown. Instantly, an alert is sent to the maintenance team, who then remotely access the machine’s diagnostic data, pinpoint the issue, and schedule a maintenance intervention – all without disrupting production.

The benefits of IIoT cannot be overstated. When implemented effectively, IIoT ecosystems can improve efficiency, productivity and transparency, encompassing everything from optimizing business processes and resource deployments to scheduling predictive maintenance and dynamically reacting to local changes – all in real-time.

Reliable communication is a critical piece of industrial systems becoming “smart,” as it facilitates remote monitoring and management capabilities. However, many industrial facilities rely on legacy equipment and infrastructure that was not designed to support IoT integration. Retrofitting these systems to accommodate reliable communication can be both complex and costly. Additionally, industrial processes often demand high levels of reliability and uptime. IIoT devices must be able to withstand harsh environmental conditions, electromagnetic interference, and power outages without compromising performance.

Making this all possible is the marriage of two powerful communication technologies: Power Line Communication (PLC) and wireless mesh networks. PLC technology utilizes existing power lines to transmit data signals, effectively turning electrical wiring into a communication medium. This eliminates the need for additional infrastructure, making it a cost-effective and convenient solution. In industrial environments, where electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI) are common, PLC provides immunity to external interference, ensuring reliable data transmission even in harsh operating conditions. Conversely, wireless mesh networks leverage radio frequency (RF) signals to transmit data over the air, offering mobility, scalability, easy accessibility and connectivity in areas where power networks are unavailable or not well-maintained.

Together, they create a hybrid network that combines the reliability of PLC with the accessibility of wireless, forming the backbone of a robust IIoT ecosystem.

This convergence of technologies isn’t just theoretical – it’s driving real-world transformations in industrial environments around the globe. Companies like Semitech Semiconductor are at the forefront of this revolution, developing innovative solutions that bridge the connectivity gap and propel industries into the future. An innovative provider of reliable wireless and PLC solutions for smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT applications, Semitech is an early supporter and active technology contributor to the first industry hybrid mesh standard – its SM2400 PLC+RF platform conforms to G3-Alliance Hybrid specifications.

“Simply put, the integration of PLC and wireless technology offers a compelling solution for bridging the connectivity divide in various applications,” said Semitech CEO Zeev Collin. “Hybrid PLC/RF mesh networks deliver high reliability and scalability, while adding flexibility and increasing data capacity and speed. Together, these complementary technologies make an efficient, cost-effective solution for IIoT applications.”

Semitech’s SM2400 PLC+RF platform is backwards compatible with existing deployments, flexible enough to adapt to different environments that have slightly different requirements, able to reliably communicate amongst many devices even in changing conditions, and can be adjusted to meet regional regulations and operating frequencies. The company’s G3/IEEE 1901.2, WiSUN and hybrid mesh technology has been deployed in millions of nodes and is available for licensing.

As technology continues to evolve, the adoption of PLC and wireless hybrid networks is expected to grow, unlocking new possibilities and driving innovation across industries. With its pioneering support for the first industry hybrid mesh standard and highly reliable, scalable, flexible solutions, Semitech is paving the way for smarter, more efficient IIoT applications.

For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Semitech Semiconductor

Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).

Media Contact:
Stephanie Olsen
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

PARIS, Nov. 28, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Semitech Semiconductor, an innovative provider of reliable wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT applications, will be on hand at Enlit Europe this week to highlight how its SM2400 PLC solution can be leveraged to address rising electricity costs – and accelerate the energy transition.

Delivering high performance, cost efficiency and programmability to address multiple standard-based and proprietary communications schemes, the SM2400 is well-suited to a diverse set of applications including street lighting, venue lighting, emergency lighting, LED control systems, and airfield lighting. At the show, Semitech will conduct demonstrations in G3-Alliance’s stand. Semitech is a G3-Alliance member and active technology contributor.

The demonstration will feature a collaboration with Musco Lighting, a leading sports and transportation/infrastructure lighting solutions provider. Semitech’s technology, featuring robust communication, low latency and high data rates, is integrated in Musco’s innovative smart lighting solutions. This allows users to remotely monitor and control the lights and to create Show-Light^® special lighting effects – without the need for dedicated wiring.

Attendees of Enlit Europe are encouraged to visit Semitech in G3-Alliance’s stand #7.2.L70 on the show floor.

SM2400 Benefits Include:

• Highly flexible, programmable single-chip PLC modem ideal for addressing standard evolution, new standards and special application-specific communication schemes
• High-noise agility
• Multitude of operation modes addressing all common narrowband PLC standards – including IEEE 1901.2, G3-PLC, PRIME, PLC4TRUCKS (SAE-J2497), ANSI-709.2
• Multitude of proprietary modes of communication optimized for extremely noisy power line environments and for extended data rates exceeding 600kbps

For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Semitech Semiconductor

Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost-effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Olsen
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

Enables Rapid Prototyping, and Technology Evaluation for Industrial IoT, Transportation and Other Applications

MELBOURNE, Australia, June 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Semitech Semiconductor, an innovative provider of reliable wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT applications, today announced that its SM2400 PLC solution is now available as a Click board^™ from MikroElektronika (MIKROE). Design engineers and system developers wishing to utilize PLC can now easily prototype their products and combine multiple functions without having to design their own board(s).

“Our plug-and-play Click boards are designed to revolutionize the way developers evaluate new technologies and explore new product ideas leveraging modular, tested and affordable hardware to simplify integration and allow for later upgrade of the project or product,” noted MIKROE’s Head of Click Team Aleksandar Mitrovic. “By adding Semitech to our roster, we’re opening up access to robust, versatile, high-performing PLC technology and lowering the bar for system designers to integrate it in their products.”

Semitech’s SM2400-based Click board can be used immediately to communicate over DC power lines and in conjunction with a coupler board to communicate over AC lines. Key benefits and features include:

• Multiple communication modes via firmware downloads
• Superior performance in noisy line conditions
• PC-based GUI for easy evaluation and demonstration
• Low system cost
• Can operate on AC or DC lines
• Operates in FCC band

“Click boards free designers to easily evaluate our technology, experiment with our products and reduce time to market through rapid prototyping,” said Sverrir Olafsson, vice president of engineering for Semitech. “Making our PLC technology more accessible furthers our mission to enable robust, reliable ‘no new wires’ communication that connects everything, everywhere. Our PLC Click board is a part of our overall emphasis on user friendliness and customer support.” In summary, Olafsson noted that the key benefits of the Semitech PLC Click board include accessibility, modularity, and ease of evaluation, integration and prototyping.

Available through MIKROE’s extensive worldwide distribution network, the PLC Click board featuring Semitech technology will be bundled with a GUI-based user application to further enable easy evaluation and testing. It supports a number of standard-based and proprietary modes offered on Semitech’s SM2400 platform. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Click Boards
Click boards^™ follow a modular prototyping add-on board standard invented by MIKROE, which revolutionizes the way users add new functionalities to development boards. Click boards^™ enable design engineers to change peripherals easily, cutting months off development time. To enable hundreds of Click boards to be connected to the microcontroller or microprocessor, we have invented socket standard – mikroBUS^™. This uniform connection interface allows you to connect any Click boards to a main board instantly. The company releases a new Click board nearly every day at 10am, and many leading microcontroller companies including Microchip, NXP, Infineon, STM, Analog Devices, Renesas and Silicon Labs now include the mikroBUS^™ socket on their development boards.

About Semitech Semiconductor
Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Olsen
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e75290d-1f7c-40a9-a877-77893c6e75f8

The Dual-Mode Communication Platform Provides a More Efficient, Cost-Effective Solution for Smart Metering, Smart Cities and More

MELBOURNE, Australia, May 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Semitech Semiconductor, an innovative provider of reliable wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT applications, today announced that its SM2400 PLC+RF reference design module has been certified by the G3-Alliance™. The certification validates the performance of the platform and its conformance to G3-Alliance Hybrid specifications and assures interoperability when using Semitech’s solution in G3-Hybrid networks.

Semitech is a G3-Alliance member and was an active technology contributor to the new Hybrid standard. The G3-Alliance is a consortium created in 2011 to standardize and promote G3-Technologies globally. The G3-PLC Hybrid is the first industry hybrid standard offering extended capabilities, better coverage and improved reliability through one seamlessly managed network over both PLC and RF media. It offers an efficient and cost-effective solution for smart grid, smart city, industry and other IoT applications.

Smart grid implementations require major investments – and ensuring that meters, data concentrators and other devices communicate reliably, meet performance levels and are interoperable with each other is critically important. “Hybrid PLC/RF networks deliver high reliability and scalability, while adding flexibility and increasing data capacity and speed,” said Semitech CEO Zeev Collin. “Customers want to use certified platforms as a stamp of quality approval and to ensure interoperability with other products sharing the same networks. We are very proud of our contribution to the G3-Hybrid standard and of having a certified solution.”

For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Semitech Semiconductor
Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Media Contact:
Stephanie Olsen
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

MELBOURNE, Australia, Feb. 23, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Semitech Semiconductor, an innovative provider of reliable wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT applications, today announced that its SM2400 solution now supports the SAE J2497 (PLC4TRUCKS) standard. The PLC4TRUCKS standard is a networking standard for heavy-duty vehicles that uses PLC over the DC power bus to communicate between a tractor and trailers.

Semitech provides both semiconductors and complete modules to anti-lock braking system (ABS) OEMs and manufacturers of aftermarket products, such as diagnostics equipment for ABS systems and trailer telematics. Semitech’s PLC4TRUCKS module, P40, conforms to all applicable standards, greatly exceeds the standard performance requirements, and has demonstrated interoperability with solutions from all of the major ABS vendors. Field proven and interoperable, it is easily integrated into trailer telemetry applications, as well as ABS products.

“Semitech is highly focused on the automotive and transportation market segments,” noted Zeev Collin, CEO of Semitech Semiconductor. “We leverage our adaptable architecture and support model to bring customers to market quickly and successfully. By adding a high-performing modernized PLC4TRUCKS solution to our SM2400 platform, we’re extending the lifetime and the usefulness of the J2497 standard, while enabling new applications and modern bidirectional communications schemes between tractors and trailers without adding new wires.”

The P40 module is based on Semitech’s multi-mode SM2400 chip that supports various PLC standards and proprietary modes. It delivers a range of PLC solutions and has the flexibility to incorporate security measures such as encryption and authentication when J2497 compliance is not required.

Key features and benefits of Semitech’s P40 PLC4TRUCKS module include:

• Fast time to market
  • Ease of hardware integration via a 4-pin interface – PWR, GND, UART
  • Ease of software integration via a functional set of commands to interact with a host MCU via UART

• Eliminates the need for knowledge/understanding of PLC or the PLC4TRUCKS protocol
• Delivers superior performance
• SAE J2497/J1587/J1708 compliant
• Industrial grade
• Field tested and validated by several tier-one OEMs
• Cost effective
• Readily available with short lead times

The P40 PLC4TRUCKS module and the SM2400 chip with SAE J2497/J1587/J1708 support are available in full production with aggressive lead times. Samples and evaluation kits can be procured through Semitech and its sales partners. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com.

About Semitech Semiconductor

Semitech Semiconductor is an innovative provider of robust, high-performance wireless and power line communication (PLC) solutions for the smart grid, automotive and industrial IoT markets. Semitech provides the most adaptable, yet cost effective, multi-modal communication solutions wirelessly and over power lines to address the diverse requirements of these markets, while avoiding the cost and complexity of additional wiring. For more information, please visit www.semitechsemi.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:
Christian Brantley
Lages & Associates
(949) 453-8080
[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea40c0b8-07fb-4864-9ed1-05ea2233de24