Communication and networking protocols are an essential part of Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Without them, the interconnection of devices and the exchange of data for creating smart applications would not be possible.

Fortunately, there are several options for such protocols, with different technical characteristics and utilities, each suitable for specific domains and use-case scenarios.

One of the most popular networking protocols, especially used in IoT applications, is Long Range Wide Area Network, also known as LoRaWAN. A particular technology is defined by its low power requirements and long-range capabilities, while enhancing the overall functionality of IoT devices.

This article will examine the official definition of LoRaWAN while attempting to explain it technically in order to understand and proceed by describing the protocol specification.

The official definition of LoRaWAN

Before delving into the definition of a protocol, some important facts about its origins.

LoRaWAN is developed by the LoRa Alliance, which was established in 2015 and has more than 500 members, including IoT product and service providers, manufacturers and telecom enterprises.

LoRaWAN was developed in 2009 by the founders of Grenoble firm Cycléo, which was acquired by Semtech in 2012. Three years later, Semtech established the LoRa Alliance, an industry association that now has more than 500 members, including IoT product and service providers, manufacturers, and telecommunications companies. It is through this ecosystem that Semtech promotes the protocol and develops its use globally.

In addition, LoRaWAN is a medium access control (MAC) layer protocol that will become an officially recognized low-power wide area network (LPWAN) standard by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2021.

The definition officially released by the LoRa Alliance is as follows:

"The LoRaWAN® specification is a low-power, wide-area (LPWA) networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery-powered "things" to the Internet in regional, national, or global networks, targeting critical Internet of Things (IoT) requirements such as two-way communication, end-to-end security, mobility and localized services."

LoRaWAN combines the wireless interconnection of IoT devices and networks while preserving important functionality for the end user.

Simplified LoRAWAN definition:

The following explains this definition in detail line by line.

"The LoRaWAN® Specification is a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) Networking Protocol" - LoRaWAN is a communication protocol that has low energy requirements but supports larger areas.

"Designed to wirelessly connect battery-operated 'things' to the Internet in regional, national or global networks" - capable of wirelessly interconnecting IoT battery-powered devices over the Internet, supporting networks from local to global scales.

"And address key Internet of Things (IoT) requirements such as two-way communication, end-to-end security, mobility, and localized services." - As a protocol, it is designed to further enhance important IoT requirements such as two-way communication and data transfer, secure data transfer from one device to another, supports portability and assists in real-time tracking functions.

Technical characteristics of LoRaWAN

The basis of its technical specification is the connection with LoRa, a wireless modulation scheme developed by Semtech. Specifically, due to its MAC feature, it acts as an extension of LoRa and deploys supported nodes into the LoRa system in a star topology.

The main features of LoRaWAN are as follows:

• Long range communication range, depending on application.
• The battery life of IoT devices is up to 10 years, depending on the different type categories provided in the LoRaWAN specification, the energy consumption will be affected.
• There are low cost requirements for operating conditions and maintenance as well as selected equipment.
• Typically, it supports unlicensed spectrum for communication and data exchange, although specific regulations may apply in certain regions.
• The data rate depends on the payload size to be transferred. Its range is 0.3kbps~50kbps, and the payload size is 51 bytes~241 bytes.

Pros and Cons of LoRaWAN

Considering the technical characteristics of the protocol and its defined functions, it is possible to look at its advantages and disadvantages. Let me talk about the advantages first:

As can be seen from its definition and technical characteristics, one of the biggest advantages of the LoRaWAN protocol is its low power requirements and increased battery capacity, as well as long-range capabilities. This makes it a perfect solution for the deployment of IoT technologies and smart solutions. The protocol works well indoors over a private network and allows the use of sensors to collect data from underground devices in some cases.

In fact, the protocol supports both public and private networks. The protocol also supports real-time tracking services and geolocation without the need for a GPS chipset.

However, it also has some disadvantages:

It is not suitable for large loads due to the limited data rate. It also cannot support multimedia files such as audio or video. Another factor to consider is that there may sometimes be a slight delay depending on the sensors installed. In fact, for Type C sensors, the commands (downlink) are sent immediately after programming, and there is no delay. For Type A sensors, the commands are executed after the sensor sends a message to the server.

The following are some use cases for A&C class equipment:

• Create simple heating regulation with thermostatic valves.
• On/off relays are monitored using dry contact sensors. In these examples, for responsive regulation or quick on/off, Class C equipment is recommended.

Finally, depending on the use case and the type of frequencies used, additional setup may be required to avoid potential interference.

Summarize

The LoRaWAN communication protocol is a long-range, low-power wireless protocol designed to connect objects to the Internet, such as IoT sensors in environments where traditional cellular connections are not an option or cost prohibitive. Due to its lifetime and cost, it is an effective and sustainable solution for smart buildings that can improve a building's energy performance, comfort, air quality, security or equipment management.