FOSSA Systems Explores Satellite IoT with Microsoft Research

FOSSA Systems is working with Microsoft Research, leveraging their collective expertise to explore the vast potential of low-power and low-data rate satellite IoT. Both companies have demonstrated efficient satellite networking IoT communications using LoRa technology, aiming to enhance the efficiency and reach of satellite based IoT solutions for industrial applications.

The heart of this research lies in the exploration of the scalability and diverse applications of satellite IoT for global connectivity. Microsoft Research and FOSSA Systems are focused on advancing the boundaries of innovation in this domain, envisioning a future where satellite IoT can seamlessly integrate with applications in the fields of precision agriculture, livestock monitoring, or connected industry.

As part of this research, FOSSA launched MSRSAT-1 in May of 2022 as a real-world platform for satellite IoT. "MSRSat-1 has been a unique opportunity to test satellite IoT connectivity with Microsoft on a real-world testbed,” says Julián Fernández, CEO & Co-Founder of FOSSA Systems.

“Space communication is a promising technology to bring the benefits of Generative AI to more people and industries. However, to enable space communication and space computing at scale, we need to invent new communication and spectrum-sharing protocols and test new constellations. Our combined efforts using programmable satellites have enabled researchers at Microsoft to experiment with cutting-edge capabilities and to push the state of the art in spectrum sharing and space computing”, stated Ranveer Chandra, Managing Director, of Research for Industry, Microsoft Research.

Microsoft Research will present a comprehensive research paper entitled "Spectrum Efficient Satellite Networks for the Internet of Things" at the upcoming USENIX NSDI conference in April of 2024. This paper encapsulates the invaluable insights gained through this project, highlighting the development of efficient, scalable, and robust satellite IoT networks.

About FOSSA Systems

FOSSA Systems is a company specializing in developing satellites to provide comprehensive remote asset management solutions using low-power IoT technologies in industrial applications. FOSSA has experience in designing, developing, and operating satellite platforms, ground stations, and terrestrial IoT devices. Since 2022, it has launched 17 satellites into orbit and is deploying a constellation of 80 in Low Earth Orbit to offer global coverage to its clients in industries such as Energy, Utilities, Oil & Gas, Logistics, and National Security.