LoRa networks have been developed to connect IoT sensors with each other and with the internet. It is technology that has been specially developed for devices that do not need to be continuously connected to each other or to the internet, but only need to occasionally exchange a packet of data. LoRa means Long Range Low Power. The name immediately makes it clear what the strengths are. These networks have a large reach and require hardly any energy to transmit information. Actually, it is the perfect solution for the IoT.
Low Power, Long Range
With a range of 2.5 to 15 kilometers per mast, the range of LoRa is impressive. This makes it easy to get full coverage in a big city. At the same time, the energy consumption of a device is extremely low. It is no exception that two batteries are sufficient to connect a device to the network for more than 10 years. For IoT applications, the low bandwidth and limited packet size are no objections. The speed is a maximum of 50 Kbps. Sending may be done no more than 1% of the time. As long as this transmission time is not exceeded, the number of messages is unlimited.
Benefits of LoRa
Compared to other network technologies, LoRa has many advantages. First of all, it is very simple and intended for basic commands such as on/off, free/occupied, open/close, full/empty and the like. A second advantage is the low energy consumption mentioned earlier. But the most important argument for using LoRa in IoT devices is the low price. Because the costs of making a device suitable for LoRa are so low, the technology is also available for small-scale projects. What makes it extra attractive in terms of cost is free access to the network. It is independent of providers and therefore does not require a SIM card.
Applications
LoRa is ideally suited for situations where IoT devices occasionally send and receive information. This is the case with the surveillance and security of items on industrial estates and the recovery of stolen goods. LoRa also has a strong position in having simple actions carried out remotely. This includes opening a garden gate or garage door, turning on the heating or filling your dog's food bowl remotely. There are also countless applications in industrial areas, such as remote watering of plants in greenhouses.
Smart cities
LoRa is also explicitly associated with the development of the 'smart city'. The idea behind these smart cities is that connecting all kinds of autonomous devices can offer enormous added value. LoRa is ideally suited for linking traffic jam detectors, traffic lights, parking meters, location monitoring of ambulances, fire brigades and police, air quality monitoring, street lighting, etc. Analysis of the data from these devices will undoubtedly lead to efficiency improvements. As a result, the city will eventually become a more pleasant and healthier living environment.
LoRa in the Netherlands
The Netherlands leads the way in the creation and application of LoRa networks. The potential of such a network for devices is recognized in our country. In Amsterdam, a network was rolled out in the city in a short time in 2015. With just ten transmission towers, a comprehensive network could be created that can be used by everyone in the city. There are initiatives to expand this concept to other cities. As a major provider, KPN has set up a nationwide LoRa network. This company also does this based on the belief that this system is the solution of the future for connecting devices.
NB-IoT
LoRa is not the only initiative to connect IoT devices wirelessly. Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) also does this with the aim of connecting battery-powered devices with low data speeds to mobile networks. The biggest difference with LoRa is that NB-IoT networks are managed by a provider. This guarantees that the stability of the networks is guaranteed. But it is a disadvantage that the devices all have to be equipped with a SIM card. This makes NB-IoT more expensive than the other long range low power networks. In the Netherlands, T-mobile has a comprehensive NB-IoT network.
SigFox
A wireless technology that has been used for a number of years in smart energy meters is SigFox. As with LoRa, there may only be a connection for 30 seconds per hour and a packet of information can be sent. The speed is really very low at 100 Bps and a maximum of 140 messages can be sent per day. SigFox does offer the option to send something back to the device that sent the message. However, these options are, just like with LoRa, very limited. Returning messages also entails relatively high costs.
Differences between the networks
LoRa, SigFox and NB-IoT are the most important alternatives for connecting IoT devices to each other and to the internet at low speed. NB-IoT has a speed of approximately 20 Kbps, data roaming is possible and the number of messages is unlimited. The fact that the network provider is tied is seen as a major disadvantage. SigFox requires little infrastructure and the costs are low. Bi-directional traffic is hardly possible, the number of messages is limited to 140 and the speed is low at 100 Bps. LoRa requires a relatively large amount of infrastructure, but the signal penetrates well, even in areas with many buildings. Bi-directional communication is limited, the speed is 50 Kbps, and the number of messages is basically unlimited as long as the transmission time remains within 1%. It is seen as a major advantage that LoRa is not tied to a provider.
More about LoraWAN
The LoRaWAN network architecture is implemented in a star-of-stars topology in which gateways forward messages between end devices and a central network server. The gateways are connected to the network server via standard IP connections and act as a transparent bridge, simply converting RF packets into IP packets and vice versa. The wireless communication takes advantage of the Long Range characteristics of the LoRa physical layer, allowing a single-hop connection between the end device and one or more gateways. All devices are capable of bidirectional communication and there is support for multicast addressing groups to make efficient use of spectrum during tasks such as Firmware Over-The-Air (FOTA) upgrades or other mass distribution messages.
LoRa devices at Mediawinkel.eu
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