What is LoRaWAN?

LoRaWAN is a data transmission technology for wireless data transfer. It’s designed to transfer small amounts of data quickly and using very little energy. It connects battery-powered sensors to the Internet.

LoRa stands for “Long Range”. The longer abbreviation, LoRaWAN, stands for “Long Range Wide Area Network.” LoRaWAN is a radio technology.

LoRaWAN technology enables a range of practical solutions that can help with various monitoring purposes. LoRaWAN can be used to monitor equipment and machine utilization rates, measure temperature and humidity, or monitor water or fuel consumption.

The advantages of LoRaWAN are long signal range and low power consumption, but the trade-off is low data transfer capacity.

Key information about LoRa devices

How do LoRa devices work?

LoRa is a trademark used for devices that use the LoRaWAN standard. This means LoRa devices use radio communication to transmit data.

LoRa devices can be compared to mobile phones: they have their own battery and can connect to the internet as long as the base station is within range. If the device is too far away from the base station, the internet connection will slow down and eventually break down.

What are LoRa devices used for?

LoRa devices are generally used for a wide range of measurement and monitoring applications. Among other things, LoRa sensors can be used to track and measure:

• Temperature
• Moisture
• Location of equipment, vehicles, and machinery
• Equipment and machinery usage tracking
• Impacts and acceleration
• Water consumption
• How full an apartment building waste bin is
• How full a liquid storage tank is
• Water leaks
• The number of visitors to a location

The data collected can be used for analysis and monitoring. The data can also be used to trigger alerts when too-low temperatures, water leakage, high carbon monoxide levels or other undesired results are detected. This can be used to react if LoRa sensors detect temperatures that are too cold, a water leakage, or humidity that is too high.

LoRa devices can also be used to detect vibrations and impacts.

How much do LoRa devices cost?

The prices of LoRa devices vary depending on their specific features and capabilities. This includes things like sensors, housing, and antenna.

Prices typically range from about 50€ – 400€ per device.

Highly specialized sensors for industrial use can cost thousands of euros.

Kaltiot offers a comprehensive range of LoRa equipment from various manufacturers. We deliver the devices pre-configured and connected to the Kaltiot Smart Tracker service. Below is a link to a page with a partial list of LoRa devices and other sensors we offer. In addition to those listed, we can supply sensors for almost any application, so if you don’t see what you need, ask us for more information!

Key features of LoRa solutions

The benefits of LoRaWAN in IOT solutions

The benefits of LoRa networked devices for IoT solutions include:

• Low power consumption
• Long signal range
• Simple installation and low hardware and licensing costs
• Network coverage can be improved by adding your own base stations

LoRa devices are probably not a good solution for:

• Real-time data transfer
• Transferring large amounts of data

Long signal range

LoRaWAN devices can operate in open terrain with a range of up to 20 km. In densely populated urban areas, the range is a few kilometres. As with mobile networks, the wireless signal strength varies depending on physical obstacles and height differences along the way.

Finland has a nationwide network of LoRa base stations, so LoRa devices work almost anywhere in the country.

LoRaWAN is a global and open standard, so the network can be reinforced with additional gateways as needed. Many other countries also have a nationwide LoRaWAN network.

The main obstacle to signal range is the structures inside which the LoRa device is located. For example, if the equipment is in a metal machine cabinet in a basement, the signal may not pass through the metal and concrete layers.

Low power consumption

The LoRaWAN standard has a strong focus on low power consumption. Battery life can be 5-10 years.

Battery life is affected by the amount of data being sent, transmission frequency, and signal strength. To optimise battery life, it’s important to minimize the quantity and frequency of data transmission.

For example, a motion sensor that’s counting the number of people entering through a doorway can be set up to send the total number of people counted at 15 minute intervals, rather than sending data every time one person is detected.

Do you have a problem that you are looking for a solution to, using IoT and possibly LoRaWAN? We might just have what you’re looking for! Read more about our IoT services.

Some countries have LoRaWAN networks that can be used for a fee.

LoRaWAN networks

Digita’s LoRaWAN network

For a LoRa device to work, it must be connected to a LoRaWAN network. In many countries there is an operator that runs a public network that you can use for a fee.

In Finland, Digita operates a nationwide LoRaWAN network (link to Digita’s website). Digita acts as an operator for LoRa devices in the same way that Elisa, DNA, and Telia act as mobile network operators.

In Sweden, Netmore and Pingday AB operate national networks.

Private LoRaWAN network

A LoRaWAN gateway, or base station, can be used to create a local LoRaWAN network with a range of several kilometres.

A LoRaWAN gateway is usually about the size of a home WiFi router, costing a few hundred euros. The gateway is connected to a power supply and internet cable. It receives data sent by LoRa devices and uploads it to the cloud, for example to the Kaltiot Smart Tracker service.

A private network is a good option for covering a specific area like a large factory. This enables the factory can use LoRa sensors to monitor temperatures and the internal supply chain within the factory.

In many cases, one base station is enough for 1000+ sensors. One 8-channel base station can transmit more than 100,000 messages a day. If each sensor sends data once per hour, the base station can handle more than 4000 sensors.

Kaltiot offers LoRa base stations that allow you to improve the coverage of your devices or to create a local LoRaWAN network. Contact us to find out more.

Kaltiot offers LoRa base stations that allow you to improve the coverage of your devices or to create a local LoRaWAN network. Contact us for more information.

LoRa devices can be used with the Kaltiot IoT platform

With the Kaltiot IoT platform, LoRa devices from different manufacturers can be easily used together, as well as in combination with other IoT technologies. You can connect BLE tags, LoRa devices, LTE-enabled sensors and other IoT devices to the same system!

You don’t have to limit yourself to just one type of equipment or one manufacturer. We make truly flexible IoT monitoring possible.

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