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The 6th Censis Tech Summit

LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN is an open LPWAN global standard for wireless communications. LoRaWAN made accessibile IoT and enabled Digital Transformation.

The Internet of Things is thriving today and outlook for the future are bright. However, a look back in time reveals that its implementation was hampered by high costs and complexity. Long-range low-power technologies such as LoRaWAN® have made it possible to overcome these limitations.

LoRaWAN® made accessibile IoT and enabled Digital Transformation allowing process automation and optimisation to improve efficiency, increase the bottom-line and even create new revenue streams whilst reducing costs and resources consumptions thus generating a positive environmental footprint.

What is LoRaWAN?

LoRaWAN® is the MAC (media access control) protocol and system architecture for a LoRa® network. It provides the global standard for the LoRa® communication technology and enables seamless interoperability of devices and networks without complex installation requirements.

Designed for Internet of Things (IoT) applications LoRa® fulfils vital technical requirements such as bi-directional communication, end-to-end security, mobility and localisation services. LoRa® usually operates within license-free sub-gigahertz radio bands, this enables anyone the freedom to build a LoRaWAN® network. LoRa® technology enables very long-transmissions while using exceptionally low power consumption.

LoRaWAN® is the network protocol on which LoRa® operates. It is a wireless spread spectrum modulation technology, designed for low power wide area networks. LoRaWAN® provides global interoperability and high scalability. The LoRaWAN® specification directly influences the battery lifetime of a device, network capacity, quality of service, security, and the variety of applications served by the network.

The LoRaWAN® protocol is an open standard developed and maintained by a non-profit association called the LoRa Alliance® of which LORIOT is a contributing member.

LoRaWAN Architecture

The LoRaWAN® Netowrk Server is the heart of the LoRaWAN architecture. It is the middle link between connected objects and IoT applications as it performs all the complex tasks involved in their communication and ensures a reliable and secure data transmission.

Main advantages of LoRaWAN

Interference resilience icon

Long Range &
Deep Penetration

Sensors can be located indoors, outdoors or underground and still communicate directly to the gateway within a range of up to 50 km in open areas and up to 10 km in urban environments.

There is no need for overly complex coverage analysis.

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Low
Power

Low bit rates and asynchronous communications ensure low energy consumption.

Sensors are designed to send small data bits when required, whether event-driven or scheduled, and battery life can last up to 10 years.

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High Network
Capacity

The adaptive data rate and multichannel multi-modem transceiver in the gateway enable simultaneous messages on multiple channels.

This provides a LoRaWAN® network with very high capacity and scalability.

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Open Standard
Unlicensed Band

The LoRaWAN® specification is supported and maintained by the LoRa Alliance® allowing seamless and quick scalability.

LoRa® technology typically operates in the unlicensed spectrum, and is ideal for public and private networks.

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Built-in
Security

Network server security guarantees the authenticity of devices in the network, and secure applications ensure end-user data is protected and confidential.

LoRa® has AES-128 encryption built-in as standard.

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Ease of
Installation

LoRaWAN® protocol uses a star topology.
Gateways can provide coverage for a very large area, and low cost, long-lasting battery-operated sensors can be installed with no need for power source wiring or constant maintenance operations.

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Low
Cost

LoRa® gateways are stateless and do not have to establish a session to communicate with a sensor. As a result, gateways and sensors provisioning is efficient and reduces costs of deployment.

In addition, LoRaWAN unlicensed frequency bands are free to use.

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Growing
Ecosystem

An expanding and mature ecosystem across every part of the IoT value chain.

Collaboration through the LoRa Alliance ensures Interoperability, compliance and growth of the LoRAWAN® protocol.

To know more check the answers to the 10 most frequently asked questions about LoRaWAN.

You can easily start evaluate LoRaWAN® capabilities opening a FREE account on our Community Public Server or deploy a professional network with our Professional Public Server or Enterprise-grase Private Server.