What is LoRaWAN?

Long Range Wide Area Network is an open networking protocol that enables devices to communicate using Long Range wireless technology.

Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) is an open networking protocol that enables devices to communicate using a type of proprietary wireless technology known as Long Range (LoRa). Designed for large-scale IoT projects, LoRaWAN is particularly useful for low-power devices that require very little bandwidth.

Discover more about LoRaWAN, the practicalities of deployment, and the potential viability of this networking model for your IoT initiatives.

A LoRaWAN network consists of four main components:

End Nodes: these are all the individual devices that make up the network (e.g. sensors, monitors and trackers).

Gateways: these act as a bridge between the end nodes and the rest of the network. Gateways collect end node data and transmit this data to the network server. Whereas end node/gateway communication is via LoRaWAN, those gateways communicate with the network server through higher bandwidth protocols (e.g. WiFi, Ethernet, or Cellular).

Network Server: this consolidates data from the gateways before uploading it to the application server.

These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they relate to slightly different technologies. LoRa is a specific type of technology that enables devices to use the license-free wireless spectrum to communicate. LoRaWAN is a protocol that sits on top of LoRa to create a network.

LoRa is a proprietary technology belonging to a semiconductor supplier, Semtech. In a LoRaWAN network setup, all end-node devices and network gateways incorporate LoRa transceiver chips.

LoRaWAN is an open-source cloud-based protocol designed and overseen by the LoRa Alliance. The protocol sets out a standardised model for wide-area networks using LoRa wireless technology, including standardised node authentication and data encryption.

Coverage

LoRaWAN uses sub-1GHz frequencies and a very narrow frequency band. This offers very strong indoor penetration and makes LoRaWAN highly effective at overcoming physical barriers. It’s a good option for deploying sensors and monitors in difficult-to-reach areas, such as transport and utility tunnels, enclosed parts of buildings, as well as for sub-soil monitoring in agriculture.

LoRaWAN enables wireless transmission of up to 15km, while also being able to penetrate dense urban or deep indoor environments.

Power usage

Transmitting or receiving information via LoRa requires just a tiny amount of current. This makes LoRaWAN a good option for businesses that want to take a ‘fit and forget’ approach to device management. Energy usage for networked devices is minimal, so batteries can last for many years.

Infrastructure

While the LoRaWAN model eliminates carrier data charges, the downside of this is that you are responsible for developing, configuring and securing your network. Thanks to the standardised LoRaWAN protocol, there are plenty of vendors offering the components you need for this. However, it can involve a considerable financial outlay.

Global deployment

With cellular IoT, if you want to branch out into a different geographic location, it’s usually just a matter of engaging with an IoT MVNO like Wireless Logic or else finding a suitable local carrier and carrying your model over to their infrastructure. With LoRaWAN, it isn’t always this simple. There may be an existing LoRaWAN service provider you can partner with. If not, it’s a case of having to build your own infrastructure.

Communication restrictions

LoRaWAN can be ideal for obtaining small amounts of data from devices deployed in the wild. Also, as we’ve seen, LoRaWAN can also be used to actually transmit messages to those devices.

However, too much communication can lead to frequencies becoming overcrowded. And in fact, LoRaWAN service providers set limits on the number of messages that can be sent per day. If too many devices attempt to communicate at once on a network, it can lead to interference and error. At busy times, Packet Error Rates (PERs) can be as high as 50%. For critical applications where packet accuracy is a top priority, LoRaWAN may not be a viable option.

Long Range Wide Area Network is an open networking protocol that enables devices to communicate using Long Range wireless technology.

What is LoRaWAN?

What is LoRaWAN?

A LoRaWAN network consists of four main components:

LoRaWAN vs LoRa

These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably. However, they relate to slightly different technologies. LoRa is a specific type of technology that enables devices to use the license-free wireless spectrum to communicate. LoRaWAN is a protocol that sits on top of LoRa to create a network.

What are the advantages of LoRaWan?

What are the disadvantages of LoRaWAN?

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