LoRa for IoT

hen it comes to Internet of Things, connectivity to the internet is the primary area of focus.  The sensors on the IoT devices, wearables and electronic devices need to get connected easily – preferably wirelessly. IoT LPWA market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 90 percent. It is expected that in 2021 the market size of about EUR 24.5 billion. SigFox and LoRa have been competitors in the LPWAN space for several years.

I earlier wrote about Sigfox LPWA system.  It was pretty simple story. Now it is time to take a look at the competing technology LoRa. It is a more complicated, and maybe more interesting story.

LoRaWAN tries to bridges the gap between WLAN and cellular networks while allowing low power operations (sensors can work years with batteries). LoRaWAN is a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) and allows for Internet of Things connectivity making way for secure bidirectional communication. LoRa offers good bidirectionality because of the symmetric link.

LoRAWAN and LoRa radio

LoRa system consists of two parts: LoRaWAN media access control and LoRa physical layer technology.

LoRaWAN is a media access control (MAC) layer protocol designed for large-scale public networks with a single operator. It is built using Semtech’s LoRa modulation scheme. LoRaWAN as a protocol is strictly for wide-area networks.

LoRa as a lower-level physical layer technology (PHY) can be used in all sorts of applications outside of wide area. No, you do not need a gateway for applications that don’t need to connect to Internet. You can easily implement simple protocols using LoRa, either with modules or with the chips themselves.

There are two options to use this type of radio technology: LoRa and LoRaWAN

  • LoRa contains only the link layer protocol and is perfect to be used in P2P communications between nodes in the 868 and 900MHz bands. LoRa modules are a little cheaper that the LoRaWAN ones.  For details Go to the LoRa Tutorial.
  • LoRaWAN includes the network layer too so it is possible to send the information to any Base Station already connected to a Cloud platform. LoRaWAN modules may work in the 868/900/433MHz bands. For more details Go to the LoRaWAN Tutorial.

Nice thing about LoRa’s open standard is its potential to be very flexible; it’s not going to be driven by a specific company. The LoRa Alliance strategy is that the specification that governs how the network is managed is relatively open. You can download the specifications and join the LoRa Alliance, and any hardware or gateway manufacturer can build a module or gateway that conforms with the LoRa specifications. While the ecosystem itself is open, it does have a closed element: currently the only company that makes the radio for LoRa is Semtech. (They’ve announced licensing to other silicon manufacturers in the future).

If you need command-and-control functionality—for, say, electric grid monitoring—LoRa is your best option. It has true bidirectionality because of the symmetric link.

LoRa radio details

LoRa communications systems for IoT consists of LoRa (a chirped modulation format) and LoRaWAN (a MAC-layer protocol) . LoRa is a spread-spectrum technology that uses quite wide band (usually 125 kHz or more). Its frequency-modulated chirp utilizes coding gain for increased receiver sensitivity.

The great performance of LoRa in 3 features (good sensitivity, low path loss, good obstacle penetration) makes LoRa a disruptive technology enabling really long range links. Because LoRa receiver looks at quite wide amount of spectrum (so receiver gets much more noise than narrowband systems like SigFox), it needs to elevate noise due to a larger receiver bandwidth is mitigated by the coding gains. Practical link budgets are about the same for SigFox and LoRaWAN. For example Semtech SX1272 LoRa transceiver IC promises 157 dB maximum link budget. With more realistic sensitivity of -134 dBm and +14 dBm we get 148 dB link budget, that should be able to provide more than 22km (13.6 miles) in LOS links and up to 2km (1.2miles) in NLOS links in urban environment (going through buildings).

LoRa is a unique modulation format that can be generated by Semtech LoRa parts, including the SX1272 and SX1276 transceiver chips. It’s a really inexpensive, efficient way to get processing gain in a small chip-scale transceiver. LoRa is a spread spectrum technology, but it is not a direct sequence spread spectrum technology. LoRa uses an unmodulated carrier in an FM chirp, which has similarities to M-ary FSK. Other notable LoRa’s features are long preambles and variable bit rates.

LoRaWAN data rates range from 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps (some chips can offer bit rate up to 300 kbps). To maximize both battery life of the end-devices and overall network capacity, the LoRaWAN network server is managing the data rate and RF output for each end-device individually by means of an adaptive data rate (ADR) scheme.

You can transmit and receive the LoRa modulation at many frequencies between 150 MHz and 1 GHz. The Semtech basestation architecture is designed to operate only at 850 MHz to 1 GHz. Most typically LoRa is used in 868 MHz (Europe) and 915 MHz (USA) unlicensed frequency bands. LoRaWAN modules may work in the 868/900/433MHz bands.

In radio communications at license free there are limits on transmitter duty cycles. In Europe, 863 to 870  MHz band has been allocated for license-free operation with transmission duty cycle of 0.1%, 1% or 10% (or other control means like LBT and AFA). At 868 MHz the duty cycle is 1%. For other regions, quite similar limitations apply.

There are also other recommendations, for example TTN Fair Access Policy limits the data each end-device can send, by allowing:  An average of 30 seconds uplink time on air, per day, per device. At most 10 downlink messages per day. A good goal is to keep the application payload under 12 bytes, and the interval between messages at least several minutes (application packet size can vary between 51 bytes for the slowest data rate, and 222 bytes for faster rates).

LoRa has so far relied on unlicensed spectrum to provide connectivity for sensors used in smart meters, asset-tracking devices and other “Internet of Things” (IoT) networks, but it is also heading to licensed frequencies as well?. Mobile operators that have made investments in LoRa networks are now looking at using licensed spectrum to support the technology. Running the technology over licensed spectrum could help operators overcome one of the main drawbacks of the technology — the interference and congestion that can occur in unlicensed airwaves.“The only benefit carriers have is that they can guarantee quality of service because it’s a licensed band,” said the mystery mouthpiece.  Going to other than ISM bands should not be a big problem, because for example The SX1272 LoRa transceiver covers a frequency range of 860 to 1,020 MHz and SX1276 transceiver spans a frequency range from 137 to 1,020 MHz.

LoRaWAN details

LoRaWAN includes the network layer too so it is possible to send the information to any Base Station already connected to a Cloud platform. LoRaWAN was designed for the centralized architecture of telecom operators.

LoRaWAN network architecture is typically laid out in a star-of-stars topology in which gateways is a transparent bridge relaying messages between end-devices and a central network server in the backend. Gateways are connected to the network server via standard IP connections while end-devices use single-hop wireless communication to one or many gateways. All end-point communication is generally bi-directional, but also supports operation such as multicast enabling software upgrade over the air or other mass distribution messages to reduce the on air communication time. For some more details, read Go to the LoRaWAN Tutorial.

In LoRa system both the endpoint and the basestation are relatively inexpensive. This is primarily because you can use the same radio for a receiver on the basestation and at the endpoint. Typically LoRaWAN basestation tends to be more expensive than the endpoint.

Advantages and disadvantages of LoRaWAN

Following are the advantages of LoRaWAN:
➨It uses 868 MHz/ 915 MHz ISM bands which is available world wide.
➨It has very wide coverage range about 5 km in urban areas and 15 km in suburban areas.
➨It consumes very little power and hence battery will last for long duration.
➨Single LoRa Gateway device is designed to take care of 1000s of end devices or nodes.
➨It is easy to deploy due to its simple architecture
➨It uses Adaptive Data Rate technique to vary output data rate/Rf output of end devices. The data rate can be varied from 0.3 kbps to 27 Kbps for 125 KHz bandwidth.
➨The physical layer uses robust CSS modulation (Chirp Spread Spectrum). It uses 6 SF (spreading factors) from SF 7 to 12. This delivers orthogonal transmissions at different data rates. Moreover it provides processing gain. LoRa modulation has constant envelope modulation similar to FSK modulation (easy for PA design)
➨LoRaWAN supports three different types of devices viz. class-A, class-B and class-C.

Following are the disadvantages of LoRaWAN:
➨It can be used for applications requiring low data rate i.e. upto about 27 Kbps.
➨LoRaWAN network size is limited based on parameter called as duty cycle. This parameter arises from the regulation as key limiting factor for traffic served in the LoRaWAN network.
➨It is not ideal candidate to be used for real time applications requiring lower latency and bounded jitter requirements.

Security is important. National wide networks targeting internet of things such as critical infrastructure, confidential personal data or critical functions for the society has a special need for secure communication. This has been solved in LoRaWAN system by several layer of encryption as detailed in this picture from LoRa Alliance.

 

The security model uses several keys: Unique Network key (EUI64) and ensure security on network level, Unique Application key (EUI64) ensure end to end security on application level and Device specific key (EUI128). Some discussion on LoRaWAN security can be found at Security of an IoT network using AES (LoRaWAN) web page:MIC (Message Integrity Code) for each message and the end-to-end (application to application) ciphering of the payload both use AES 128 bits key.

Pictures of some LoRa products

Here is LoRa dev board by Espotel.

Here is Jaakko Ala-Paavola from Espotel showing LoRa demo that uses their LoRa dev board and commercial LoRa gateway (also uses Node-RED to implement control logic).

 

The Things Network

The Things Network is a global, crowdsourced, open, free and decentralized internet of things network.  The Things Network (TTN) comprises a number of internet connected LoRaWAN gateways deployed by enthusiastic supporters in a growing number of areas around the world.

Because the costs of LoRa technology are very low, the idea is that we do not have to rely on large telco corporations to build such a network. For example  the city of Amsterdam was covered with only 10 gateways at the cost of 1200 dollars each – a single Gateway can serve thousands of devices. If you don’t already have local coverage, then you can deploy your own gateway and connect it to TTN. While gateways are expensive at around $500 each, many local funding opportunities exist.

Although the goal of The Things Network is to support for any protocol that can be useful for the community, the focus is currently on LoRaWAN. LoRaWAN is perfect for the Internet of Things as it is low battery, long range, and low bandwidth.

The Things Network is about enabling low power Devices to use long range Gateways to connect to an open-source, decentralized Network to exchange data with Applications and Platforms.

Gateways form the bridge between devices and The Things Network. Devices use low power networks like LoRaWAN to connect to the Gateway, while the Gateway uses high bandwidth networks like WiFi, Ethernet or Cellular to connect to The Things Network. All Gateways within reach of a device will receive its messages and forward them to The Things Network.

The network will deduplicate the messages. The Backend handles the received data.The aim is make the different backend components as decoupled as possible, so there is a clear separation of the responsibilities of each component. The Things Network’s different routing service components:
Gateway, Router, Broker, NetworkServer, Handler and Application

LoRaWAN is a “network-intensive” protocol, intensive in the sense that due to the simple and minimalistic approach for devices, the backend systems are responsible for most of the logic. Firstly, there are some Gateway-related functions such as scheduling and managing the utilization of the gateways. Scheduling is needed because a gateway can only do one transmission at the same time. The utilization information is used to evenly distribute load over different gateways and to be compliant with the European duty cycles. Another important feature is monitoring the status of each gateway. We also need device-related functions that manage the state of devices in the network: Addressing is such that device address are non-unique, so the network has to keep track of which addresses are used by which devices in order to map a message to the correct device and application). Other things the network must keep track of are the security keys and frame counters. The Handlers need to know how to interpret binary data, and bridge to higher-layer protocols, such as AMQP and MQTT. As The Things Network will be a distributed network, there has to be functionality that supports this distribution.

The default Handler implementation simply publishes a JSON representation of uplink messages to a topic <app_eui>/devices/<dev_eui>/up on an MQTT broker. This allows applications to simply subscribe to the same MQTT topic and process the data in any way.

EXAMPLE: From the following message, the application could for example see that the temperature measured by device 001122334455667788 was 12.86 degrees:

Topic: 0102030405060708/devices/001122334455667788/up

{ payload: 'BQY=',
  fields:{temperature: 12.86 },
  port: 14,
  counter: 1234,
  metadata:
  [ { frequency: 868.1,
      datarate: 'SF7BW125',
      codingrate: '4/5',
      ...
      longitude: 6.55738,
      latitude: 53.18977 } ] }

The public community network will probably stick with this API and format, but this behaviour can be easily adapted to other use cases.  After publishing the uplink message to MQTT, the Handler will determine whether it is necessary to reply to the device with a downlink message.

In an open network with many different end-devices (nodes), which are not connected but just start sending when they need to (ALOHA-like protocol), and all have a different data need and connection quality, there are many limiting factors to keep things working.

The data rate and maximum packet size roughly depend on the distance to the nearest gateway and the type of data to be sent. For the European 863-870MHz band, the application packet size varies between 51 bytes for the slowest data rate, and 222 bytes for faster rates  (LoRaWAN protocol adds at least 13 bytes to the application payload). When an end-device is far away from a gateway, it needs to use a low data rate to ensure at least one gateway receives its data. But a lower data rate implies a longer air time for each byte. For the European EU 863-870MHz ISM Band limits the duty cycle to 1% for data. For other regions, quite similar limitations apply. For 1000 nodes per gateway and dutu cycle limitations, we end up approximately 30 seconds per node per day. With this Fair Access Policy for 10 bytes of payload, this translates in (approx.): 20 messages per day at SF12 or 500 messages per day at SF7.

By default, gateways transmit with maximum allowed TX power (14 for EU-868). Every device has the same transmit duty cycle, gateways are no exception, so gateway must have less than 1% transmit duty cycle.

 APIs

IoT device end: Semtech SX1272 LoRa transceiver IC provides SPI interface to communicate with it. RN2483LoRa module from Microchip connects over a serial interface.

The Things Network backend:  The default Handler implementation simply publishes a JSON representation of uplink messages to a topic <app_eui>/devices/<dev_eui>/up on an MQTT broker. This allows applications to simply subscribe to the same MQTT topic and process the data in any way.

 

385 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Comcast Expands Biz IoT Service to 12 Markets
    https://www.broadbandtechreport.com/articles/2017/07/comcast-expands-biz-iot-service-to-12-markets.html

    Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA) plans to expand its enterprise Internet of Things (IoT) service, machineQ, to 12 major U.S. markets. MachineQ is an IoT network service and platform that uses Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology based on the LoRaWAN protocol to build and deploy solutions for businesses and municipal organizations. The service is rolling out in Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Denver, Detroit, Indianapolis, Miami, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Oakland, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Washington DC.

    “We believe that Comcast has a unique opportunity to leverage our existing network assets and Semtech’s LoRa technology to fuel IoT innovation with disruptive new business models and smarter cities,” said Alex Khorram, general manager of machineQ. “We’ve seen excitement about a Comcast solution that is opening a whole new world of use cases that were previously not commercially viable due to the cost of connectivity and end devices, limited battery life, and inability to get coverage.”

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Fortum took home automation to the LoRaWan network

    Fortum utilizes the nationwide LoRaWan network for its services, among other things, in controlling indoor indoor conditions and heat consumption in homes. The network offers Fortum Digita.

    In its SmartLiving services, Fortum is introducing a IoT network based on LoRaWan technology, which can be accessed through self-controlled heating control via flat-rate temperature measurements and artificial intelligence.

    ” The system takes into account the weather forecast. Based on this information, the system adjusts the right heat demand per dwelling for each moment, “says SmartLiving from Timo Aaltonen Fortum.

    The SmartLiving service already has 2,600 dwellings.

    Source: https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/05/25/fortum-vei-kotiautomaation-lorawan-verkkoon/

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Saelig Introduces LoRa/FSK Smart Modem Transceiver
    https://www.eeweb.com/profile/eeweb/news/saelig-introduces-lora-fsk-smart-modem-transceiver

    Saelig Company, Inc. has introduced the Circuit Design SLR-434M Smart Modem – a compact, easy to use narrow-band embedded radio modem operating in the 434 MHz ISM band. It incorporates LoRa® technology to achieve extremely long range for low bit-rate data with low power. The SLR-434M’s excellent receiving sensitivity allows communication into areas once considered difficult for RF to penetrate, and making it possible to transmit 1800 feet or more. The SLR-434M is also switchable to accommodate conventional FSK communication.

    The SLR-434M can transmit data or operate in simple control systems using Circuit Design’s dedicated command protocol from an external CPU or PC via an RS232 or COMport interface.

    With up to 10mW RF output power from the SMA connector, the SLR-434M can be used in simplex or duplex mode on 137 channels. It operates from a 3.5 – 5.0V supply, consuming less than 30mA when transmitting. Its low power consumption makes battery operation possible with this sturdy 1.6” x 1.2” x 0.25” module.
    Applications include data transmission, telemetry, and control in buildings, water level and dam monitoring, tunnel and bridge condition monitoring, etc.

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How to use LoRa with Arduino
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4vPc4EN_O8

    How to use REYAX RYLR890/RYLR896 LoRa module with Arduino

    How to use LoRa with Arduino Part 2
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah5ziSCXjDs

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Movement Sensor Portable Device Connected with LoRa to TTN
    https://www.hackster.io/McOrts/movement-sensor-portable-device-connected-with-lora-to-ttn-79d762

    It is a portable device that sends a signal every time it moves. It uses the free LoRaWAN network that through TTN allows internet access.

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Smart City Asset Positioning With LoRaWAN and WiFi
    https://www.hackster.io/firmwareguru/smart-city-asset-positioning-with-lorawan-and-wifi-a74439

    Bring together the latest IoT technologies to locate assets in the industrial IoT and smart city environments.

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa USB Dongle
    A USB dongle for LoRa/LoRaWAN based on RN2903.
    https://www.hackster.io/lolsborn/lora-usb-dongle-32f861

    Reply
  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRaWAN integrated into the Google Cloud
    https://www.edn.com/design/analog/4460763/LoRaWAN-integrated-into-the-Google-Cloud-IoT?utm_source=Aspencore&utm_medium=EDN&utm_campaign=social

    On May 31, Google Cloud announced its membership in the LoRa Alliance.

    That same day, Kerlink and MicroShare, Inc made an announcement regarding LoRaWAN integration into the Google Cloud IoT. Microshare, working with Kerlink, has put together a system for complete security of data as it flows from LoRaWAN devices to extended IoT networks

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    2Pcs Wemos® TTGO LORA32 868/915Mhz ESP32 LoRa OLED 0.96 Inch Blue Display Bluetooth WIFI ESP-32 Development Board Module With Antenna

    https://m.banggood.com/2Pcs-Wemos-TTGO-LORA32-868915Mhz-ESP32-LoRa-OLED-0_96-Inch-Blue-Display-p-1239769.html?currency=USD&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc_elc3&utm_content=may&utm_campaign=elc2-dpa-en-toy-dd-cpc-cro14

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://m.banggood.com/Wemos-TTGO-LORA32-868915Mhz-SX1276-ESP32-Oled-display-Bluetooth-WIFI-Lora-p-1248652.html?currency=USD&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc_elc3&utm_campaign=elc-dpadm-en-fb1-RSM-mob-c14&utm_content=may&utm_ho=18

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    From Zero to Build Your Own LoRa Network with RAK833 and RPi
    https://www.hackster.io/fomi-T/from-zero-to-build-your-own-lora-network-with-rak833-and-rpi-bc3ee1

    From zero to build your own LoRa network with the RAK833 gateway module, RPi3 B+, RAK811 node, and TTN network.

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Getting Started with the MAX32620FTHR and LoRa
    https://www.hackster.io/DevinAlex64/getting-started-with-the-max32620fthr-and-lora-f9d8dd

    With the MAX32620FTHR and LoRa Radios, these PingPong Server/Client examples will help you get started in both Arduino & mbed platforms!

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa-Tooth: Small BLE Sensors Over WiFi & LoRa Gateways
    https://www.hackster.io/erictsai/lora-tooth-small-ble-sensors-over-wifi-lora-gateways-0aa109

    Small, cheap, low-powered sensors are still a challenge to make. LoRa-Tooth uses $6 BLE modules to make untethered sensors with long range.

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa Stik
    https://www.crowdsupply.com/third-venture/lora-stik

    Open source USB LoRa device. Get connected and take advantage of the growing IoT network.

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://m.banggood.com/868MHz-915MHz-SX1276-ESP32-LoRa-0_96-Inch-Blue-OLED-Display-Bluetooth-WIFI-Lora-Kit-32-Module-p-1248583.html?currency=USD&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=cpc_elc3&utm_campaign=elc-dpadm-en-fb1-RSM-mob-c14&utm_content=may&utm_ho=18

    868MHz-915MHz SX1276 ESP32 LoRa 0.96 Inch Blue OLED Display Bluetooth WIFI Lora Kit 32 Module IOT Development Board For Arduino

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Connecting a LoRa Device to Wia via The Things Network
    https://www.hackster.io/Spivey/connecting-a-lora-device-to-wia-via-the-things-network-560bc6

    We are going to take two Pycom LoPy’s, set the first one as a LoRaWAN gateway and register it as a gateway with The Things Network.

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    http://e.pavlin.si/2018/06/20/loradunchy-arduino-nano-pin-compatibile-lora-module-with-power-management/

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa-to-Ethernet Gateway
    https://www.hackster.io/bluetiger9/lora-to-ethernet-gateway-ff9684

    A WIZ750SR based device that allows sending and receiving messages over LoRa and LoRaWAN.

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://www.banggood.com/Wemos-TTGO-LORA32-868915Mhz-SX1276-ESP32-Oled-display-Bluetooth-WIFI-Lora-p-1248652.html?currency=EUR&utm_source=criteo&utm_content=all&utm_campaign=m-electronics-EU-English&utm_medium=cpc

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa Physical Layer & RF Interface
    https://www.radio-electronics.com/info/wireless/lora/rf-interface-physical-layer.php

    - the LoRa wireless system has an RF interface or physical layer that enables it to operate very efficiently, enabling low power transmissions to maintain data links over long distances.

    LoRa frequency bands
    The LoRa wireless system makes use of the unlicensed frequencies that are available worldwide. The most widely used frequencies / bands are:

    868 MHz for Europe
    915 MHz for North America
    433 MHz band for Asia

    A variety of bandwidths are available: 7.8 kHz; 10.4 kHz; 15.6 kHz; 20.8 kHz; 31.2 kHz; 41.7 kHz; 62.5 kHz; 125 kHz; 250 kHz; 500 kHz. The required bandwidth can be selected according to the data requirements as well as the link conditions.

    The power level used within LoRa RF physical layer is adaptive. The power level used is dependent upon the data rate needed, link conditions etc.

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://www.thethingsnetwork.org/map

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Commenta from https://hackaday.com/2018/03/31/build-your-own-antenna-for-outdoor-monitoring-with-lora/

    “LORA is proprietary, so you are tied to turnkey hardware.”

    “The nice thing about LORA ia that it is not limited like the 433MHZ band where in Europe 10mW is max and you’re only allowed 1% transmit duty cycle. This opens up for real data links and remote control.”

    “The protocol is not very difficult. It is M-FSK with a swept carrier frequency. This is not even a very efficient PHY (but it copes very well with tx/Rx frequency offset). Simple very narrowband coded bpsk will have better long range performance, although with more complex transceiver demands.”

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The LoRa Stik Lets You Access the LoRa Network Anywhere, Anytime
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-lora-stik-lets-you-access-the-lora-network-anywhere-anytime-a594a15c217b

    You may not have heard of LoRa, but chances are you’re familiar with the Internet of Things— and LoRa is poised to change IoT. It’s a wireless technology that’s used for tasks such as automatic meter reading, smart parking, and livestock tracking. What makes it so sought after is its ability to send packets over long distances without using much power.

    Reply
  24. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The TTGO T-Beam, an ESP32 LoRa Board
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-ttgo-t-beam-an-esp32-lora-board-d44b08f18628

    An ESP32 tracker board with both a LoRa radio and onboard GPS

    Reply
  25. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Geotag with embedded sensors is LoRaWAN compatible
    https://www.edn.com/electronics-products/electronic-product-reviews/other/4460856/Geotag-with-embedded-sensors-is-LoRaWAN-compatible?utm_source=Aspencore&utm_medium=EDN&utm_campaign=social

    Reply
  26. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The LoStik Lets You Access the LoRa Network Anywhere, Anytime
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-lora-stik-lets-you-access-the-lora-network-anywhere-anytime-a594a15c217b

    The LoStik is an open source USB dongle that plugs into any computer or device and lets you work with the LoRa network. It’s capable of acting as a USB host and features an ASCII interface. Using the RN2903/RN2483 system on module (SOM), it can be employed in packet and LoRaWAN modes making it compatible with The Things Network. Plus, it has a range of up to 15 kilometers in suburban areas.

    Reply
  27. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A RAK833 Gateway for The Things Network
    https://blog.hackster.io/a-rak833-gateway-for-the-things-network-a589329118bf

    From its start on Kickstarter, The Things Network has grown into a global crowdsourced data network for the Internet of Things, and arguably has become one of the main driving forces in making LoRaWAN the leader in the war for low-powered, long-range, but low-bandwidth wireless connectivity.

    Reply
  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://makezine.com/product-review/arduino-mkr-1300-wan/

    Reply
  29. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRa-to-Ethernet Gateway
    https://www.hackster.io/bluetiger9/lora-to-ethernet-gateway-ff9684

    A WIZ750SR-based device that allows sending and receiving messages over LoRa and LoRaWAN.

    Reply
  30. Tomi Engdahl says:

    MAX32625PICO-WI-FI/BLE/LoRa Board
    https://www.hackster.io/Jade7272/max32625pico-wi-fi-ble-lora-board-c19d96

    MAX32625PICO board with Bluetooth/Wi-Fi/LoRa connectivity for smart farming, gas monitoring, remote IoT and environmental applications.

    Reply
  31. Tomi Engdahl says:

    https://www.hackster.io/cswiger2/solar-powered-sensor-hub-with-lorawan-uplink-856a03

    Reply
  32. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Home> Analog Design Center > How To Article
    LoRaWAN integrated into the Google Cloud IoT
    https://www.edn.com/design/analog/4460763/LoRaWAN-integrated-into-the-Google-Cloud-IoT

    Reply
  33. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The New RAK8213 mini-PCIe Card
    https://blog.hackster.io/the-new-rak8213-mini-pcie-card-296c5be75d3c

    The RAK833 LoRaWAN gateway module, released a couple of months ago by RAK Wireless, has already been used to hand-build a gateway for The Things Network.

    Reply
  34. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Semtech SX1261/SX1262 LoRa Transceivers
    https://eu.mouser.com/new/semtech/semtech-sx1261-2-lora-transceivers/?utm_source=DesignNewsNewProductenews&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=semtech-sx1261-2-lora-transceivers&utm_content=custom-300×300

    Semtech SX1261 and SX1262 LoRa® Transceivers are low-power, sub-GHz radio transceivers designed to comply with the physical layer requirements of the LoRaWAN™specification. With support for LoRa® modulation for LPWAN use cases and (G)FSK modulation for legacy use cases, the SX1261/SX1262 radio transceivers are compatible with existing LoRaWAN networks and can support proprietary protocols.

    n order to support all major sub-GHz ISM bands around the world, SX1261/SX1261 LoRa Transceivers provide continuous frequency coverage from 150MHz to 960MHz. The radio is well-suited for systems requiring compliance with radio regulations such as ETSI EN 300 220, FCC CFR 47 Part 15, China regulatory requirements, and the Japanese ARIB T-108.

    Reply
  35. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Build Your Own Antenna for Outdoor Monitoring with LoRa
    https://hackaday.com/2018/03/31/build-your-own-antenna-for-outdoor-monitoring-with-lora/

    LoRa and LPWANs (Low Power Wide Area Networks) are all the range (tee-hee!) in wireless these days. LoRa is a sub 1-GHz wireless technology using sophisticated signal processing and modulation techniques to achieve long-range communications.

    With that simplified introduction, [Omkar Joglekar] designed his own LoRa node used for outdoor sensor monitoring based on the HopeRF RFM95 LoRa module. It’s housed in an IP68 weatherproof enclosure and features an antenna that was built from scratch using repurposed copper rods.

    LoRa Node using Tata Communication Gateway
    https://omkarjr.in/posts/projects/LoraTCL/

    Reply
  36. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Build Your Own Mini Walkie-Talkie with ElectronicTricks’ SnapOnAir PCB
    https://blog.hackster.io/build-your-own-micro-walkie-talkie-with-electronictricks-snaponair-pcb-3c035bfd7cb8

    France-based ElectronicTricks are known for designing PCBs that act as the foundation for specific LoRa-based project builds, such as pagers, shields for the Raspberry Pi, game stations, and a host of others. The company has recently added another addition to their repository of boards with the SnapOnAir Micro Walkie Talkie PCB — a mini LoRa communication platform that uses an ESP32 module, along with a joystick and an OLED.

    Reply
  37. Tomi Engdahl says:

    SnapOnAir Is Bringing Back the Pager with LoRaWAN Networking
    https://blog.hackster.io/snaponair-is-bringing-back-the-pager-with-lorawan-networking-b1c248b93096

    Smartphones have made pagers obsolete for most people, but they’re still used by some emergency personnel. Now, Philippe CADIC is bringing the pager into the modern era with SnapOnAir.

    LoRaWAN is a good choice for a device like this, because LoraWAN networks can serve large areas without needing to use expensive telecom infrastructure. CADIC has gone through many iterations, but the current one is built around an ESP32. That has WiFi and Bluetooth built in, and CADIC added an RFM95 LoRa radio.

    http://www.snaponair.com

    Reply
  38. Tomi Engdahl says:

    NEW GUIDE – The Things Network for Feather @thethingsntwrk #LoRa
    https://blog.adafruit.com/2018/09/25/new-guide-the-things-network-for-feather-thethingsntwrk-lora/

    Reply
  39. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Pi Supply Launches Lineup of LoRa Boards for Raspberry Pi, Arduino and Micro:bit
    https://blog.hackster.io/lora-low-power-long-distance-free-iot-communication-hits-the-worlds-most-popular-development-9a981a88b834

    Reply
  40. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Langaton anturi kertoo betonin kosteuden
    http://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8550&via=n&datum=2018-10-11_14:55:31&mottagare=30929

    Reply
  41. smartphone deals says:

    I was strolling the web when I stumbled upon your blog. I really like it!
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    Yoou can visit our site if you want somee advice for buying a new smartphone.

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    it’s Dutch for ‘smartphone deal’ ;)

    Greetings from Holland!

    Reply
  42. smartphone deals says:

    I was strolling the web when I stumbled upon your blog. I really like it!
    I shared it on the social network of our brand new website.
    :) We recently launched a website in the Netherlands foor promoting good smartphone deals and buying
    advice. Since Black Friday is aound the corner and moree and more
    Dutch stores arre into this special deals day, we dedicated a
    special section of our site to these deals. Also,
    we published some advice for buying a new smartphone.

    Yoou can visit our site if you want somee advice for buying a new smartphone.

    Just let Google translate our articles for some free tips about buying a smartphone!

    If you ever visit Holland and want to buy a good smartphone or you
    just wannt some advice, go ahead and visit ourr website Telefoons Aanbieding –
    it’s Dutch for ‘smartphone deal’ ;)

    Greetings from Holland!

    Reply
  43. Tomi Engdahl says:

    M5Stack Node for The Things Network
    https://blog.hackster.io/m5stack-node-for-the-things-network-617200895826

    Reply
  44. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Murata LoRa (LoRaWAN) Module
    https://www.murata.com/en-eu/products/lpwa/lora

    Reply
  45. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Whitecat’s ESP32 N1 Combines an ESP32 with a LoRa Transceiver on a Single Board
    https://blog.hackster.io/whitecats-esp32-n1-combines-espressif-s-esp32-mcu-with-a-lora-transceiver-on-a-single-board-40aeec73ec8f

    Espressif’s ESP32 SoC can be found in a host of development boards — like the Banana Pi and Adafruit’s HUZZAH32. It’s even found its way into Whitecat’s ESP32 N1, which is loaded with a LoRa transceiver for long-range data transfers using minimal power. The ESP32 N1 combines both an ESP32 and LoRa on the same board, and acts as an alternative to the Pycom LoPy, although it runs Lua-ROTS over MicroPython.

    Reply
  46. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Maailman pienin LoRa-reititin
    http://etn.fi/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8585&via=n&datum=2018-10-19_15:35:10&mottagare=31202
    https://www.uusiteknologia.fi/2018/10/22/pienikokoinen-lora-kahtena-versiona-eri-taajuudet/

    Reply
  47. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Vinduino Water-Smart Farming – Now with LoRa!
    https://hackaday.com/2018/10/25/vinduino-water-smart-farming-now-with-lora/

    Reply
  48. Tomi Engdahl says:

    ARDUINO PRO GATEWAY FOR LORA
    https://store.arduino.cc/arduino-pro-gateway

    Arduino Gateway with LoRa connectivity, is the door to enter into the LoRa world. Discover the endless possibilities of the gateway and the Arduino Create Platform

    Arduino Pro Gateway for LoRa will be ready for shipment starting mid-January 2019. The Arduino gateway kit provides LoRa (Long Range) connectivity using ultra-long range and high interference immunity on the 868 MHz radio bands.
    The gateway offers up to 8 LoRa Channels in the 868Mhz frequency allowing it to receive up to 8 LoRa packets simultaneously making it the ideal device to use in LoRaWAN gateways applications.

    Reply
  49. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRaSensorTile
    Small, ultra-low-power, Arduino-programmable platform for home and industrial IoT
    https://www.tindie.com/products/TleraCorp/lorasensortile/?utm_source=hackaday&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=fromstore

    Reply
  50. Tomi Engdahl says:

    LoRaSensorTile
    Small, ultra-low-power, Arduino-programmable platform for home and industrial IoT
    https://www.tindie.com/products/TleraCorp/lorasensortile/?utm_source=hackaday&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=fromstore

    Small, ultra-low-power, Arduino-programmable platform for home and industrial IoT

    Now supporting LoRa radio, FSK radio, and LoRaWAN!
    What is it?

    This is a small (23 mm x 23 mm or 0.8 sq. inch) pcb with Murata’s CMWX1ZZABZ-078 module, consisting of a STM32L082 host MCU and SEMTECH’s SX1276 LoRa radio modem, along with three useful I2C sensors, 16 MB SPI flash memory, and battery charger. The Cortex M0+ processor runs at 4, 16, or 32 MHz with 192 kB of flash memory and 20 kB of SRAM. The system core and Arduino wrapper are written from scratch to be complete, robust, and power and memory efficient. The LoRaWAN API makes using the LoRa radio modem simple and easy.

    Reply

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