Bridging Indoor Connectivity: Chirp Welcomes Third-Party LoRaWAN Gateway Support.

Chirp
4 min readJan 16, 2024

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Today, we are thrilled to share some exciting news that’s set to significantly expand the Chirp network usage. This tech upgrade invites millions of devices to join our ever-growing community. Enhancing your experience with Chirp’s Network and no-code IoT platform, we’re officially introducing support for third-party LoRaWAN gateways. This development is a game-changer, particularly for those challenging indoor areas where outdoor signal struggles to penetrate effectively.

Let’s dive a bit deeper into what this means, especially in comparison to our well-known Blackbird Miner. The Blackbird Miner, as part of our community-owned outdoor network, is essentially a multi-protocol antenna designed to widen the reach of our outdoor network. It has specific installation requirements to ensure optimal performance. When placed correctly, it not only amplifies the network’s coverage but also has the potential to become a miner, earning $CHIRP for our dedicated Network Keepers.

Browan TBMH110 Indoor LoRaWAN gateway

Now, let’s talk about these new third-party LoRaWAN gateways. Unlike the Blackbird, they aren’t designed for our outdoor network, which means they don’t need the specific hardware the Blackbird requires. This gives you the freedom to install them pretty much anywhere. While they can’t be converted into miners, they’re incredibly valuable in their own right.

We’ve all been in those spots where the signal just doesn’t quite make it — like underground parking lots, shopping malls, or even the basement of your home. These third-party gateways are like more accessible, cost-effective signal boosters. They’re particularly useful for integrators looking to automate businesses with LoRaWAN devices, as they can significantly enhance indoor signal strength. Setting one up is straightforward, and you can find detailed instructions on our documentation site: Adding Gateways to Chirp Network.

Here’s an example to put things into perspective. Transforming a regular parking garage into a smart parking space that shows occupied slots is typically a costly and labor-intensive task, involving extensive wiring. But, with an indoor LoRaWAN gateway linked to Chirps network and some wireless sensors, this transformation can happen in just a few days completely eliminating wiring. This approach not only saves a significant amount of money but also minimizes the downtime, preventing loss of revenue due to parking spaces being out of service.

Image of a LoRaWAN libelium parking Sensor

This development marks a significant step in our journey to provide seamless connectivity solutions. We’re constantly working to ensure that Chirp remains at the forefront of IoT innovation, making your experiences smoother and more efficient. With the integration of third-party LoRaWAN gateways, we’re opening up new possibilities for indoor IoT applications. Whether you’re managing a commercial property, automating a business, or just enhancing your home’s connectivity, this update brings you more flexibility and control over your IoT environment.

Third-party gateways role in enhancing indoor connectivity is invaluable. They’re essential in ensuring that your devices stay connected, regardless of where they are located. This is especially crucial in spaces where maintaining a consistent and strong signal has always been a challenge.

We’re excited to see how you’ll leverage these new capabilities in your IoT projects. As always, our team is here to support you every step of the way, ensuring that your experience with Chirp’s platform remains top-notch. We believe that this new feature will not only enhance your current setups but also inspire new, innovative uses of IoT technology in spaces that were previously challenging to reach.

So, get ready to extend your IoT reach with Chirp and third-party LoRaWAN gateways. We’re looking forward to seeing the creative and impactful ways our community will utilize this new feature. Together, let’s continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with IoT and make our environments smarter, more connected, and more efficient.

This massive tech upgrade is a significant milestone for Chirp, inviting millions of indoor IoT devices to join the Chirp network. The key to this expansion is adoption. By providing tools that simplify the integration and operation of IoT technologies, we’re not just enhancing our network; we’re strengthening the entire Chirp community.

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Chirp

Chirp is creating a unified wireless network for IoT and Mobile by harnessing the power of DePIN & blockchain technology.