IoT Observation: Seven benefits of LoRaWAN technology application in one article

IoT connection environment In addition to smart home networking and office space scenarios, many IoT device connection communications will be carried out in remote environments. In the new environment, due to the limited coverage of M2M transmission, this will lead to inaccessibility and the need for power connection. In view of this, the widespread adoption of LPWA solutions - LoRAWAN and 3GPP (LTE Cat M1 and Cat NB1) open standards will specifically provide comprehensive solution support for the obstacles encountered in these IoT connection processes.

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LoRa and LoRaWAN Explained

LoRaWAN is a popular and widely deployed LPWA communications standard that uses unlicensed radio spectrum in the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, Medical) band at frequencies around 900MHz or 430Mhz (the exact frequency varies around the world). Using unlicensed spectrum means that companies can easily roll out networks and provide private networks for enterprises. LoRaWAN defines the communication protocol and system architecture of the network, while LoRa describes the radio layer. LoRa uses Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation, which is both energy-efficient and provides a longer range than traditional alternatives. CSS has been used in military and space communications for decades due to its range and robustness to interference, but LoRa is the first low-cost implementation available for commercial use.

A LoRa network has a star layout with hundreds or thousands of devices communicating bidirectionally with a gateway connected to a core network and ultimately the internet. Signals from a single sensor or device are received by all gateways within range, which improves reliability and opens up the possibility of location-based services. The network uses a sophisticated "adaptive data rate" algorithm to fine-tune communications between each device and gateway to minimize power consumption and maximize reliability.

What are the benefits of choosing LoRaWAN

Coverage With CSS and ADR, devices can communicate with gateways up to 15 km in open areas and up to 5 km in cities, meaning a single gateway can cover all devices around 700 square kilometers. Coverage also extends indoors, reaching service ducts in basements or below street level.

1. Low power consumption and long service life

Low power consumption and low peak current demand, LoRaWAN data transmission and reception requires low current (less than 50 mA), which greatly reduces the power consumption of the device. A single charge can extend the service life of the device to ten years, greatly reducing support and maintenance costs.

2. Cost savings

Wide coverage and relatively low gateway costs significantly reduce the cost of LoRaWAN network deployment. For devices, communication modules are priced in the $10 range, and unlicensed spectrum means the cost of connectivity is only $1/year.

3. Location Services

Since the signal from a particular device can be received by multiple gateways, the location of the device can be calculated based on the signal strength and/or signal arrival time of each base station, thereby enabling network-based location services that can be used to track or geo-fence devices.

4. Deep penetration

LoRa radio modulation allows for deep indoor penetration and the added ability to reach sensors such as water or gas meters located underground.

5. No frequency license required

The LoRaWAN network is deployed on the free ISM band (EU 868, AS 923, US 915 Mhz), allowing any service provider or company to deploy and operate a LoRaWAN network without obtaining a license for any frequency.

6. Rapid construction and commercial use

The LoRaWAN open standard combined with no-cost operating frequencies and low-cost base stations enables operators to roll out networks in just a few months with minimal investment. Two-way communication Fully two-way communication supports a wide range of use cases requiring both uplink and downlink: for example, street lighting, smart irrigation, energy optimization or home automation.

7. One-stop management

LoRaWAN networks support multiple vertical solutions, allowing service providers to use one platform and standard to manage various use cases such as smart buildings, precision agriculture, smart metering or smart cities.

Differences between LoRaWAN and 3GPP technologies

For many requirements, LPWAN requires minimum cost and maximum power. In real-world use cases (about 20 messages/day), LoRAWAN's power consumption is 5 times better than LTE Cat NB1. The required peak current is reduced by 10 times - equivalent to an order of magnitude reduction in battery size and a decade longer service life.

Another major difference between LoRaWAN and 3GPP is the use of unlicensed spectrum. LoRaWAN allows for easy deployment of "campus" networks (smart cities, smart buildings, smart airports, smart factories) with thousands of devices in a small area. Enterprise networks can be completely under the control of the customer and data remains end-to-end encrypted.