eBook: LoRaWAN Empowers Very Low-Power Wireless Applications
The purpose of the eBook is to provide a knowledge base to the technical community about this long-range, low-power wide area network.
The Internet of Things (IoT) affects our lives in many ways, and to do so the “things” need a wide area network to connect to the cloud and one other. Often, many applications need only low-speed, infrequent communication. These devices can be remote, mobile, and usually battery-operated. Frequent battery replacement is both time-consuming and costly. Therefore, a solution such as a low-power wide-area network (LPWAN), which can support devices for seven years or more without requiring battery changes is very attractive.
What is LoRaWAN?
The long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) specification defines security and carrier-grade IoT LPWAN connectivity. LoRaWAN baud rates range from 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps and suffice for most remote monitoring applications. Additionally, LoRaWAN end devices are able to work with multiple networks and roam from one to another, even though these networks are run by different operators. The applications for LoRaWAN is very broad. They include utilities, trucking and logistics, smart city and parking, agriculture and farming, intelligent building, monitoring of remote things like trash, cows, water pipes and the list goes on.
Overseeing the standard is a non-profit association, the LoRa Alliance, with more than 500 members. It also manages the LoRaWAN certification program, which ensures the interoperability of all certified devices. Some of the leading member companies include Cisco, Actility, STMicroelectronics, Alibaba, Comcast MachineQ, Tencent, Semtech, Sagemcom, Bouygues Telecom, Kerlink, Orange, Schneider, Bosch, Diehl, American Tower Brazil, and Mueller.
The official goal of the LoRa Alliance is “To support and promote the global adoption of the LoRaWAN standard ensuring interoperability of all LoRaWAN certified devices”.
LoRaWAN has gained strong momentum since its inception in 2015. (See Momentum is Building for LoRaWAN ). As of the beginning of 2019, the LoRa Alliance achieved a major milestone, surpassing over 100 LoRaWAN network operators globally and the network footprint continues to expand globally. As of October 2019, there are 120 operators with networks in 140 countries. The LoRaWAN Coverage map, segmented by different network operator classifications, can be found on the home page of lora-alliance.org/
This eBook is published in cooperation with the LoRa Alliance. It gathers relevant LoRaWAN information into one publication for convenient access.
The content includes multiple sections
Introduction by the Editor-in-Chief
Interview with the LoRa Alliance Chairperson
Interview with the Director of Certification LoRa Alliance
LoRaWAN Architecture Overview
Design Articles
Case Studies
John Koon
Editor-in-Chief
Tech Idea Research
john@techidea.com