Why You Need A LoRaWAN^® Gateway

What Is A LoRaWAN^® Gateway

• What Is A Gateway

  A gateway, also known as an inter-network connector or protocol converter, facilitates network interconnection beyond the network layer. Gateways are specifically for connecting two networks with different higher-layer protocols. In brief, a gateway module acts as a translator. it repackages the received information to meet the requirements of the destination system.

  Different definitions result in various types of gateway classifying:

  • Indoor or outdoor gateways based on application scenarios.
  • Full-duplex or half-duplex gateways based on the communication methods
  • LoRaWAN gateways, Zigbee gateways, and those that fully or partially comply with the LoRaWAN protocol based on design standards.

• What Is LoRaWAN^® Gateway

  The LoRaWAN gateways are the core of the LoRa® networking. It serves as the vital information bridge between terminals and servers. LoRa® gateways sometimes refers to as LoRa® base stations, LoRa® concentrators, or LoRa® DTU devices. Although the definitions may vary, they essentially mean the same thing.

  LoRa® gateways utilize various orthogonal spreading factors, allowing to modulate and demodulate multiple signals with different spreading factors on the same wireless channel. Gateways connect to cloud servers with standard IP, while LoRa® terminals communicate with gateways through direct communication. All LoRa® terminal communications maintain two-way, and the system supports both remote upgrades and software updates.

  

What is LoRa® and LoRaWAN^®

LPWAN is a wireless wide area network technology especially for M2M and IoT networks. It interconnects low-bandwidth, battery-powered devices with low bit rates over long ranges. LPWANs operate at a lower cost with greater power efficiency than traditional mobile networks. They are also able to support a greater number of connected devices over a larger area.

LPWANs includes technologies of LoRa, Sigfox, NB-IoT, RPMA, etc.

LoRa® is a wireless modulation technology. It stands out for its long-range communication, low power consumption, high interference immunity, and cost-effectiveness. It uses chirped spread spectrum (CSS) modulation, enabling long-distance data transmission while operating at low power. LoRa® is great for sensors and IoT devices across various applications, such as urban environments, agriculture, and industry.

LoRaWAN® is a communication protocol that operates on top of LoRa technology, managing the communication between LoRa devices and the network server. Developed by the LoRa® Alliance, LoRaWAN® has become a standard protocol for IoT networks.

How Does LoRaWAN Gateway Work

A LoRaWAN Gateways consists of quite a few components based on the desired functionalities. Otherwise Two things are a must: the LoRa concentrator and the host MCU.

1. The RF front end handles the reception and transmission of LoRa signals. It usually includes an antenna and a modem. These components enable Linear Frequency Shift Keying (LFSK) modulation, which is efficient for long-distance communication.
2. The baseband processor handles the received signals, converting them into digital signals and performing necessary signal processing tasks such as filtering and demodulation.
3. LoRaWAN gateways use the LoRaWAN protocol to manage communication between end devices and network servers. This protocol dictates the transmission of data between different devices and servers.
4. Advanced LoRaWAN gateways often support various cloud platforms. Users can easily upload collected data to the cloud for analyzing and processing.

Advantages of LoRaWAN® Gateways

Applications of LoRaWAN^® Gateways

Users can apply LoRaWAN gateways in various IoT scenarios such as smart cities, industrial IoT, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. Their low power consumption and long-range communication capabilities make them especially suitable for applications requiring numerous sensor devices.

1. Smart building management in Malaysia 
2. Smart Potato Planting Solution in China
3. IoT Powered Facility Monitoring in Korea
4. Temperature Monitoring for Bus in Sweden 
5. Crane Operation Solution in Turkey
6. Water Metering Solution with PG in India