Wireless Technology
Commit to LoRa technology for long-range IoT systems
The Internet of Things will touch all aspects of daily life, covering an unimaginable range of applications from connected wearable devices designed to communicate over distances of just a few centimetres, to a wide variety of asset management and sensor-monitoring applications that must communicate with one or more gateways over distances of up to several kilometres. Andrew Bickley, technology marketing director, Arrow Electronics, tells us more
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here long-range communications are needed, and simple unlicensed wireless
data links are not feasible, cellular networks provide an attractive connectivity medium. There are some drawbacks, however. Although an IoT device can be connected to a 2G network economically, and with low enough power consumption for battery-operated devices to deliver an acceptable lifetime, there remains a level of uncertainty regarding the future of 2G networks. Some operators have indicated they intend to turn these networks off, as subscribers gravitate towards the more modern 3G and 4G services that deliver better mobile internet experiences. 2G switch off could start as soon as 2017 in some parts of the world, such as the USA.
Confidence in the network IoT devices are usually intended for long service deployment which can be several years, up to five to eight years. This requires the chosen network connectivity to be supported throughout that lifetime. With the uncertainty around 2G network longevity developers need to consider alternative connectivity that is not only certain to be supported for the longer term, but that also meets the constraints on power consumption,
communication range and low cost that applies to typical IoT applications. Among potential candidates, LoRa technology has strong technical credentials and is already in use in applications that require reliable communication over distances up to several kilometres such as wireless meter reading and control of street-lighting. It is a sub-GHz Low-Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology that supports data rates from 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps, depending on range and message duration. Transmission distances can be up to 15-20km. Even in a dense urban environment, communication distances of over 2km can be achieved. Compared to other standards, a LoRa network is IP based compatible with IPv6 which is essential for any new IoT project development.
A LoRa network comprises gateways that connect to a central network server. Endpoints communicate as a star network topology, via single-hop wireless links to gateways, and can multicast to many gateways thereby providing link redundancy. Only lightweight infrastructure is required to provide coverage for a large area: Microchip has demonstrated a private LoRa network that covers most of the city of Munich using only seven gateways.
Importantly, as far as IoT applications are concerned, a LoRa network also incorporates security encryption at the network, application and device levels thereby providing a structure for protecting personal data or critical functions against physical or cyber-attacks. Its spread- spectrum modulation scheme enables long range and high network capacity, with low RF power. Thanks to minimal energy demand, a battery- powered LoRa network endpoint can operate for several years. This is long enough to last the lifetime of some applications, which can significantly influence the operating costs of a network having many endpoints. There is, however, one potential stumbling block. Although several European countries are in the process of agreeing a legislative framework for LoRa networks, those agreements are not finalised and public networks are largely not deployed today. Once the legislation is finalised, however, it is expected there will be a rapid acceleration of public LoRa networks being deployed. This will stimulate market demand for LoRa technology IoT Edge devices that are not ready because developers waited for network roll out. This looks like a catch 22: few will be brave enough to start development before public networks are available; but network operators need to have confidence in the market to drive the pace of legislation and commit to building LoRa networks.
Catalyst for change Arrow Electronics believes that LoRa technology can provide suitable connectivity for asset-based IoT applications, which are dependent on long-range, low-power communications but also need the assurance that the network will be supported for the life cycles of their assets and products. To kick-start development based on LoRa technology, Arrow Electronics are working closely with Microchip, which has a portfolio of radio modules that meet LoRaWAN specifications and help simplify and accelerate integration of the technology in IoT devices. Development tools, including suitable PICtail/PICtail Plus daughter boards are also available. The modules from Microchip are plug- and-play devices that integrate a complete radio subsystem including microcontroller, identity EEPROM, RF front-end and matching circuitry, and crystal. The LoRaWAN Class A protocol stack is included, and the modules are
22 July/August 2016 Components in Electronics
among the first to pass LoRa Alliance Certification testing. Class A, among the three different classes of endpoint devices defined in the LoRa standard, allows bidirectional communication initiated by the endpoint, which helps to minimise power consumption. Perhaps the most important aspect of this initiative is that Arrow Electronics considers to deploy its own private LoRa network, and will enable customers to connect devices to the network in order to test their applications and finalise designs ready for certification. When the time comes that the legislative work currently under way across Europe is completed, developers who have taken advantage of this private network to perfect their designs and ensure compliance with all applicable regulations can be among the earliest to market with network-ready products.
Time to engage The Arrow network building is scheduled for Q2 of 2016, and customers can engage with the project by contacting their nearest sales office to obtain enablement details. There will also be hands-on training days at venues across Europe, presented by Arrow’s connectivity specialists, aimed at helping engineers who may be unfamiliar with LoRa technology to become confident and start developing their own applications. LoRa technology can provide the assurance of low power, low cost, long- term connectivity for IoT applications, and is set to become one of the most important network technologies over the next few years. By building its own network for customers to connect LoRa network-enabled appliances, Arrow is creating an important enablement tool that will help developers accelerate time to market and take full advantage of what the LoRa technology has to offer.
www.arroweurope.com www.cieonline.co.uk
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