Overview
Semtech's Unified Software Platform (USP) is a firmware platform designed to support Semtech's LR20xx multi-PHY radios. It provides backward-compatible build options for previous Gen2 SX126x and Gen3 LR11xx devices. The platform offers a unified firmware ecosystem, enabling multiprotocol operations across various MCU platforms through open-source environments such as Zephyr.
Semtech's USP provides various examples to support the evaluation, design, and certification of IoT products. Protocol stacks, including Semtech's LoRa Basics™ Modem, are available to facilitate protocol development. All applications and services utilize the Radio Access Controller (RAC), which enables deterministic, synchronized, and prioritized access to radio resources, enabling pseudo-concurrent multi-protocol environments.
Key Capabilities
The platform aims to support multiple wireless protocols on the LR20xx, including:
- 2.4GHz protocols: LoRa® & FLRC-based protocols, other protocols will be added gradually
- Sub-GHz protocols: LoRaWAN, LR-FHSS, FLRC-based protocols, other protocols will be added gradually
Architecture Highlights
- Radio Access Controller (RAC): Unified API for managing radio access and time scheduling across multiple protocols.
- Layered architecture: Separates hardware abstraction, protocol stacks, and application layers for maximum flexibility.
- Cross-platform support: Works with Zephyr, providing support for many popular MCU families.
- Real Time Operating System Support: Offered for Bare Metal and Zephyr OS, the architecture lends itself to other RTOS offerings.
Semtech's USP serves as the core library of this platform and provides a base for Bare Metal implementations. The USP_Zephyr builds upon the USP, utilizing the cross-platform and MCU abstraction features of the Zephyr ecosystem.
Transitioning from LoRa Basics™ Modem to Semtech's Unified Software Platform
The transition from LoRa Basics Modem (SWL2001) to Semtech's USP version can be accomplished seamlessly, as both platforms utilize the same set of Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). Additionally, USP provides further APIs that may be employed concurrently to enable interleaved protocol functionalities. For more information, please consult Semtech's USP readme documentation.
Phased Development Strategy
The initial release supports LoRaWAN via the LoRa Basics™ Modem and offers broad support for multiple application examples, including RTToF (ranging). This platform employs a phased development strategy, introducing new features in response to market feedback while preserving adaptability for future enhancements. Leveraging the open-source Zephyr environment provides cross-MCU platform compatibility, and additional environments may be considered moving forward.
Getting Started
Developers can find helpful resources to get started with Semtech's Unified Software Platform by reviewing the readme files in the following repositories:
http://github.com/Lora-net/USP_ZEPHYR
http://github.com/Lora-net/USP
Resources
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