Silicon Labs and Wirepas Unveil Scalable Mesh Network Solution for IoT Asset Tracking

Silicon Labs and Wirepas have launched a combined hardware and software solution for large‑scale mesh networks in Internet of Things (IoT) applications such as asset tracking and building automation. The partnership introduces Wirepas Massive, a scalable mesh‑network software that connects and localises sensors, tags and luminaires on Silicon Labs’ EFR32BG21 (BG21) and EFR32BG22 (BG22) modules and SoCs.

A Wirepas network offers a single horizontal connectivity layer for any IoT use case. It covers data collection from sensors to cloud applications, remote device control, device‑to‑device communication with or without cloud involvement, and precise location tracking of moving assets. All networking intelligence is embedded in the Wirepas software, creating a resilient, large‑scale wireless mesh network. Multi‑hop operation is a key feature, enabling a network to have multiple gateways without subnets. Wirepas claims this architecture supports up to 4 billion devices in a single network.

“When you fuse the scalability of our Massive with the ultra‑low power of Silicon Labs’ BG21 and BG22 solutions, the possibilities become endless,” stated Teppo Hemiä, CEO of Wirepas. “The unparalleled combination opens the door for a variety of use cases that transcend asset tracking and extend to connected lighting, smart energy and – consequently – sustainability.”

Powered by the BG21 and BG22 Bluetooth modules and SoCs, Wirepas Massive delivers flexible IoT deployments that offer the following benefits across industries:

• Mesh installations that scale effortlessly
• High reliability and interference tolerance in diverse environments, ideal for large‑scale lighting control systems and preventive maintenance
• Goods and asset tracking across the supply chain with embedded high‑density inventory
• Battery‑operated infrastructure to monitor buildings and track assets

The collaboration is particularly advantageous for end‑to‑end logistics. The ultra‑low power and affordability of Silicon Labs’ BG22 provide logistics players with a unique system for pallet and goods tracking throughout the supply chain. The solution also enables the integration of access control, smart lighting and sensors into a single network, powering smarter buildings.

“Silicon Labs’ portfolio of wireless products is engineered to meet the most demanding IoT applications with industry‑leading security and field‑proven reliability, all delivered in an optimized SoC,” said Ross Sabolcik, vice president and general manager for industrial & commercial IoT at Silicon Labs. “We’ve had a long‑standing partnership with Wirepas to help them deliver large‑scale mesh networks for demanding professional installations. We are pleased to continue our partnership and to see Wirepas choose our BG21 and BG22 family of high‑performance, wireless SoCs for their Wirepas Massive solution.”

Wirepas recently introduced Wirepas Massive Tracking, a smart‑tracking software suite that embeds Wirepas Massive and enables vendor interoperability. Targeted at large spaces such as warehouses, construction sites, campuses or hospitals, the suite allows a smart‑tracking system in a 100,000 m² facility to be installed in a single day without disrupting operations. Its inventory mode can add up to 5,000 devices with 100 % accuracy in under a minute. The new suite also introduces interoperability between tag vendors, delivering true diversity in form factors and price points—a first in smart‑tracking and sensing projects.

Wirepas Massive Tracking is already supported by several partners, including Axones, BlueUp, ELA Innovation, Fujitsu Components, Good Way, Haltian, Redlore, Tatwah, Treon and SolidRun, as well as system integrators such as Apitrak, Arenzi, Bornemann, DMI, Indutrax, Intranav, Mecomo, Omniscient, Orange, Successful Endeavours and Wakecap. The ecosystem of locator, asset tag, gateway providers and system integrators is expected to grow as more partners join.

Related Contents:

• Assessing IoT and the impact of 5G
• Matching real‑time location technologies to growing tracking needs
• Silicon Labs to bolster wireless portfolio
• Matching real‑time location technologies to growing tracking needs
• LTE Cat‑M1 IoT module connects directly to global cellular networks
• How the IoT is reshaping the construction industry
• ON Semi adds Quuppa AoA location technology to Bluetooth SoC