LoRaWAN, short for Long Range Wide Area Network, is a new Internet of Things technology that is changing the way we do business.
Much will be covered in the article below. If you have any questions, call us at 1-888-SKYSOFT for a free, 30-minute consultation to let us know exactly what you need.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area network protocol designed to enable long-range communication between devices. It is an official ITU-T Y.4480 standard as designated by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU).
LoRa provides a cost-effective and scalable solution for connecting various Internet of Things (IoT) devices over large distances. Operating in the unlicensed radio spectrum – US915 (902–928 MHz) – LoRaWAN is an ideal choice for any monitoring, tracking, or management uses.
How Does a LoRaWAN Work?
LoRaWANs are made up of four main components: sensors, devices, the gateway, and the user dashboard.
Sensors collect and communicate data. They have three parts: the sensor itself (attached to the device), and a radio transmitter and receiver. The transmitter uploads data to a LoRaWAN gateway, while the receiver downloads instructions from the gateway.
Devices are anything you are trying to extract data from. Often, these are built onto the sensor, but can also custom-fitted with a sensor.
Gateways serve as the hub for all the sensors in a LoRaWAN. They communicate instructions to the sensors and upload all data gathered to the cloud.
The User Dashboard is where all the data gathered can be viewed at a glance. It can be organized to fit any use case.
The beauty of LoRaWAN is that it can be used in a wide variety of situations. These include, but are not limited to:
Temperature and Humidity Monitoring
Street Lighting
Room Occupancy
Motion Detection
Smart Water Metering
Fire, flood, CO/CO2 level Monitoring
Smart Parking
Waste management
Water level and flood management
Smart Public Transit
Air Quality Control
Street Cleaning
Logistics and Transportation Management
Hospital Patient Tracking
Seniors Care Residents
Vitals Tracking
Public Safety
Space Utilization
Agriculture
…many more
Configured properly, a LoRaWAN can provide real-time information and functionality for any number of industries.
LoRaWAN Gateway
The LoRaWAN Gateway is what transforms this technology from a neat piece of radio into a high-functioning IoT network. It puts the “WAN” in LoRaWAN, so to speak. It is the link between the raw data provided by the LoRa sensors and people. All devices in a LoRaWAN have to be able to transmit their data back to a gateway, and the gateway is what allows you to change the settings of your sensors.
Security
As with any IoT implementation, ensuring the security of the LoRaWAN network is paramount. Deploying robust security measures, such as encryption and authentication protocols, safeguards against unauthorized access and potential cyber threats.
Scalability
When implementing LoRaWAN for load distribution optimization, it’s important to consider scalability. The system should be designed to accommodate future growth and more devices. Choosing a LoRaWAN infrastructure provider with a scalable network architecture is vital for long-term success.
How Can I Deploy LoRaWAN?
Hopefully, you now see how a LoRaWAN can benefit your business. Now the question is: how do I get one, and how much does one cost?
The answer to the first question is simple. The Skysoft Team can deploy LoRaWAN systems nationwide, from site surveys to installation and everything in between. Simply call us at 1-888-SKYSOFT for a free, 30-minute consultation to let us know exactly what you need.
