A low-power wide-area network or low-power wide-area network or low-power network is a type of wireless telecommunicationwide area network designed to allow long-range communications at a low bit rate among things, such as sensors operated on a battery. The low power, low bit rate and intended use distinguish this type of network from a wireless WAN that is designed to connect users or businesses, and carry more data, using more power. The LPWAN data rate ranges from 0.3 kbit/s to 50 kbit/s per channel. A LPWAN may be used to create a private wireless sensor network, but may also be a service or infrastructure offered by a third party, allowing the owners of sensors to deploy them in the field without investing in gateway technology.
Technology attributes
Long range: The operating range of LPWAN technology varies from a few kilometers in urban areas to over 10 km in rural settings. It can also enable effective data communication in previously infeasible indoor and underground locations.
Low power: Optimized for power consumption, LPWAN transceivers can run on small, inexpensive batteries for up to 20 years
Low cost: LPWAN's simplified, lightweight protocols reduce complexity in hardware design and lower device costs. Its long range combined with a star topology reduce expensive infrastructure requirements, and the use of license-free or licensed bands reduce network costs.
Platforms and technologies
There are a number of competing standards and vendors in the LPWAN space, the most prominent of which include:
DASH7, a low latency, bi-directional firmware standard that operates over multiple LPWAN radio technologies including LoRa.
, modulation technology used for LPWAN by various companies including:
Sigfox, UNB-based technology and French company.
Telensa A Cambridge-based company using UNB-based technology to connect and control streetlights and other city infrastructure.
Nwave, proprietary technology developed in cooperation with MIT. Its first release without error correcting codes also forms the basis of the Weightless-N open protocol.
Weightless, a set of communication standards from the Weightless SIG.
Telegram splitting is a standardized LPWAN technology in the license-free spectrum.
MIoTy, telegram-splitting technology standardized by ETSI.
Others
DASH7 Mode 2 development framework for low power wireless networks, by Haystack Technologies. Runs over many wireless radio standards like LoRa, LTE, 802.15.4g, and others.
LTE Advanced for Machine Type Communications, an evolution of LTE communications for connected things by 3GPP.
MySensors, DIY Home Automation framework supporting different radios including LoRa.
NarrowBand IoT, standardization effort by 3GPP for a LPWAN used in cellular networks, that evolved from Huawei's NB-CIoT effort.
