With the penetration of the Internet of Things into every field, in recent years, there has been a growing interest in the area of wireless IoT sensors, among which LoRaWAN sensors stand out with their unique advantages. LoRaWAN is short for ‘long range wide area network’, and LoRaWAN sensors can be described as a connection of wireless sensors that enable long-range communication and long-lasting battery life, and allow the easy transmission of data. The LoRaWAN sensor uses a chirp spread spectrum, which is also referred to as a proprietary modulation scheme. In this post, we will explore more about the LoRaWAN definition and LoRaWAN sensors.
Applications of LoRaWAN Sensors
IoT integration plays a great role in making things and industries smarter through the adoption of advanced LoRaWAN sensor devices. When deploying LoRaWAN sensors for various commercial and industrial businesses, numerous benefits such as time and cost savings are possible thanks to IoT. Let us take a look at where LoRaWAN sensors can weave magic.
1. Security for homes
2. Location tracking
3. Fleet management
4. Smart energy management
5. Monitoring of air pollution
6. Smart Health Care
7. Metering of water and Gas
8. Waste management
9. Tracking of animals
10. Monitoring of the environment
11. Smart Parking
12. Electricity Metering
Technical Features of LoRaWAN Sensors
As we said above, LoRaWAN sensors are prominent for unique advantages, and this part will show you what are these special features.
1. Geolocation: LoRaWAN sensors offer a distinction that allows the effectiveness of GPS-free tracking applications and devices. It also offers unique low power benefits unmatched by other technologies.
2. Long-Range: LoRaWAN sensors can transmit sensors up to 30 miles and also penetrate hidden environments.
3. Security: LoRaWAN sensors ensure maximum security and an end-to-end encryption feature for software and applications.
4. High Capacity: LoRaWAN sensors can receive and process numerous messages per base station and meet numerous needs of network operators without delay.
5. Communication: LoRaWAN sensors allow easy communication of information and data.
6. Standard Operations: LoRaWAN sensors work with a standard and speedy network that is available globally.
Several Capacities
The capabilities of the LoRaWAN network are quite interesting. By using asymmetric uplink or downlink, LoRaWAN has better scalability from 6 to 8 times the minimum capacity. Studies also show that upon increasing the connection from one user to ten users, it was observed that outdoor LoRaWAN supports five users with a failure rate of less than 1%. A similar study was conducted for Indoor LoRaWAN when uplink was acknowledged and it showed that Indoor LoRaWAN users can connect to two IoT without exceeding the 1% error capability.
How LoRa Sensors work
LoRa sensors can be linked to a cellular network because they work the same way. LoRa contains a module through which it communicates to a local server known as a gateway. Lora works as a phone because it makes use of a communication tower in receiving and sending information. The gateway serves as an intermediary between the Lora sensors and the server. However, through the help of the internet, the gateway receives information from the network server.
Testing Sensors
Testing sensors entails signal repeatability, battery life, and data recovery.
1. The signal repeatability For testing the signal repeatability, researchers compared the number of transmissions logged in with the number of transmissions sent by the sensor. At each transmission frequency, things speak.
2. The battery life- For the testing of the battery life, the sensors used were fully charged and then left to get exhausted at a rate of 5, 10, 30, or 60s per time. However, the battery life was determined by the length of the signal reception.
3. Data Recovery- Data recovery was made by conducting an experiment in which the sensor was placed on test animals. The experiment is here.
The Significance of sensors for LoRaWAN network
Just as sensors are an essential part of a complete IoT solution, LoRaWAN sensors are a critical component of the LoRaWAN ecosystem. These smart sensor devices are important in the LoRaWAN network as they can detect information and change it into a clear and understandable signal to machines and people, thereby delivering more valuable information and creating more value.
With the development of LoRa technology and LoRaWAN protocol, LoRaWAN sensors are widely utilized in many fields such as logistics, agriculture, transportation, medical care, tourism, industries, etc. We are optimistic that more applications will adopt LoRaWAN sensors and the LoRaWAN network. Data collection is made possible and easy because of sensors, and life turns out to be simpler and smarter thanks to data collection.
Different types of LoRaWAN sensors
Different types of sensors are required in different LoRaWAN applications. Now that we have seen its special features and significance, here are the different types of LoRaWAN sensors that you should know about. Examples of sensors are Arduino Sensors and MOKOLoRa sensors.
Lora Humidity/Temperature Sensors: The temperature and humidity sensor is a smart device that can transmit the collected temperature and humidity information to the cloud platform through the wireless LoRa network. Therefore, users can check the ambient temperature and humidity of the working environment. These sensors are commonly used in industry and agriculture.
Lora parking lot sensor: LoRa parking sensor is widely popular due to its long-range communication and long operational life. This is used in the transportation industry to detect whether a parking space is occupied or available to help find the best place to park.
Lora location tracking sensor: You will find widespread adoption of location tracking sensors in the logistics and transportation industry to monitor and manage assets. Of course, in addition to asset tracking, it can also be used for personnel tracking and proximity marketing.
LoRaWAN panic button sensor: With a built-in vibration motor, such sensors can trigger an alarm when you push the button in an emergency situation. This can be greatly helpful for the elderly and workers in hazardous worksites. If they fall down suddenly or encounter an emergency, they can trigger the panic button sensor to call for help in time.
LoRaWAN PIR motion sensor: PIR sensors can detect infrared rays emitted by people or some animals and convert them into electrical signals. With a built-in PIR sensor, the LoRaWAN motion sensor is mainly used to detect if there is any human activity in the current detection area. Additional features include door magnetic induction and temperature and humidity monitoring.
In addition to the 5 LoRaWAN sensors listed above, there are many other sensors that existed. Here, we have selected 6 of them for the introduction.
Lora water level sensor: These sensors are mostly submersible. They are designed to measure tank water levels.
Lorawan voltage sensor: These sensors are designed to measure voltage between 0-30 Volts. If the voltage surpasses the required threshold, an alert is sent.
Lorawan air quality sensor: This helps to warn the users about the looming possibility of air pollution around the vicinity.
Lora accelerometer sensor: This is commonly used to detect minor changes in machines or the speed of cars.
Lora noise sensors: Noise pollution has been linked to sleep disturbance, high blood pressure, and depression. In some cases, it could lead to developmental delays in children. When noise reaches a certain level, it can be reported.
LoRaWAN lighting sensors: With LED lighting inserted, it can function as alarming in devices.
Relationship between LoRa and LoRaWAN
Many people are confused about the relationship between LoRa and LoRaWAN. In fact, they are totally different. LoRa is the modulation technique employed in connecting wireless sensors, while LoRaWAN allows Internet of Things devices to utilize LoRa sensors for sending and receiving information. Furthermore, LoRaWAN defines how devices use LoRa hardware in the transmission and formatting of messages. LoRa helps to develop and maintain the LoRaWAN protocol.
You are capable of using LoRa technology without LoRaWAN, but some of the functionalities and performance are limited. Protocols like LoRaWAN are required to build large networks on top of LoRa. In simple terms, LoRa is a physical layer transmission technology that allows you to exchange information between devices. LoRaWAN is a media access control (MAC)protocol designed to be used for communications between devices and infrastructure, LoRaWAN gateways, and end-node devices.
Conclusion
LoRa sensors have involved the connection of wireless sensors capable of passing signals through long ranges. LoRa is very useful, and that is why it is obtained for use in many fields today.