View source for Architecture:Protocols:LoRa/LoRaWAN


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; Related
* [[Architecture:Protocols:Main_Page]]
* [[Architecture:Protocols:NB-IoT]]
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== LoRa ==

* Part of [[Architecture:Protocols:Main_Page]]

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'''LoRa''' (Long Range) is a proprietary wireless communication technology designed for long-range connectivity with very low power consumption. It is mainly used in IoT (Internet of Things) applications. LoRa is based on a spread-spectrum technique using Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation.

=== Features ===
* Long range: Up to 15 km in rural areas, 2–5 km in urban areas
* Low power consumption: Devices can operate for years on a single battery
* Low data rate: Typically 0.3–50 kbit/s
* Robust to interference: CSS modulation ensures reliable communication even in noisy environments

== LoRaWAN ==
'''LoRaWAN''' (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a network protocol built on top of LoRa that manages communication between LoRa end devices and gateways. It defines the MAC layer protocol and system architecture for a secure and scalable IoT network.

=== Architecture ===
LoRaWAN networks consist of three main components:
* '''End devices''': Sensors or actuators that collect data or perform actions
* '''Gateways''': Receive radio signals from end devices and forward them to the network server
* '''Network servers''': Manage the network and route messages to application servers

=== Device Classes ===
LoRaWAN defines three classes of end devices:
* '''Class A''': Energy-efficient, bidirectional; the device can only receive downlink messages immediately after an uplink transmission
* '''Class B''': Scheduled receive windows allow regular downlink messages
* '''Class C''': Almost always listening, higher power consumption

=== Security ===
* '''End-to-end encryption''': AES-128 encryption for messages between the end device and the application server
* '''Network key''': Authentication and integrity at the network level
* '''Application key''': Protection of application payloads

== Applications ==
LoRa and LoRaWAN are mainly used in:
* Smart cities (e.g., street lighting, waste management)
* Agriculture (e.g., soil moisture, livestock monitoring)
* Industry 4.0 (e.g., machine monitoring)
* Asset tracking (e.g., logistics, transportation)