LoRa and LoRaWAN: Introduction to The Things Network

LoRa, an abbreviation for Long Range, is a wireless frequency modulation technology based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology. This makes LoRa technology robust and less susceptible to interference. Thus signals sent using LoRa technology can be received even from long distances. can be received from a great distance. The basic idea for the LoRa and CSS modulation technologies come from dolphins and bats. However, there is one disadvantage: due to the special modulation technology, only low data rates are possible, but also, in comparison to other technologies, little energy is required for the transmission process. The frequencies used for LoRa vary depending on the country and local regulations. In general, the frequencies 433 MHz (Asia), 868 MHz (Europe), 913 MHz (America) and 915 MHz (Australia) are common, but different frequency bands are used in some cases. It is also possible to use 2.4 GHz frequency bands, but these are internationally reserved for industrial, research and medical purposes.

LoRaWAN is a Media Access Control (MAC) protocol based on LoRa technology. It regulates when and in what format the individual network nodes transmit data. This protocol is developed and managed by the LoRa Alliance. The first version of the protocol was released in 2015. Currently, LoRaWAN is in version 1.0.4 or 1.1. It enables various devices to be connected to the network through gateways. The Things Network is an open LoRaWAN network provided by a global community initiative.

The Things Network is open to everyone, all you need to use it is an account, which can be created for free. The account enables community members to register applications, devices and gateways to make use of or to contribute to the network. To make sure that there is enough bandwidth available for all devices in a certain area, a fair use policy is applied. The fair use policy restricts devices to a maximum of 30 seconds of airtime per day and at most 10 downlink messages per day, including the acknowledgements for confirmed uplinks. The airtime is determined by the amount of data the device is transmitting and the spreading factor.

An online airtime calculator can help to estimate the possible data rates and messages per hour or day.

Learn how to connect a device to The Things Network in my next article "How-To: Connect a gps tracker to the LoRaWAN network The Things Network"