What is LPWAN?
Low-Power Wide-Area Network for the Internet of Things
Wireless sensor network
LPWAN is a low-power wide-area network, also known as an LPWA network - a new type of radio technology used for wireless data communication in a wide range of Internet of Things applications and M2M solutions. The key characteristics inherent to the technology are long communication range, low data rate, and a small transmission power budget.
The right place for LPWAN
Several wireless technologies are available today for deploying a wireless sensor network. They suit different applications in terms of bandwidth and range. Most IoT and M2M solutions require a long-range connection with low bandwidth, and they are not well covered by traditional technologies. This is the right time and place for LPWAN technology, which is a very good fit for these new sensor applications.
LPWAN is best for IoT and M2M
The unique set of LPWAN characteristics, compared with other wireless technologies, is the best possible match for IoT and M2M needs. The diagram below shows the advantages of a low-power network over traditional ones.
General LPWAN characteristics
Range from 5 to 30 km in various environmental conditions.
High autonomy of smart devices, with a service life of up to 10 years.
Small amounts of data transmitted at low throughput, which can range from a few bits/s to 100s of bits/s.
Low-cost radio modules and chipsets which, depending on the supplier, can range from a few dollars to 10s of dollars.
Low latency, which is essentially not a key parameter in IoT applications.
A smaller number of access points (base stations, gateways) to cover a wide area such as a city or even a country.
Good penetration when sub-GHz ISM frequencies are used, and better network coverage in open areas.
Enterprises need LPWAN
Today many business sectors face a number of communication challenges. Some applications use the Internet of Things with cellular modems simply because it delivers a positive ROI even when users pay a few dollars per sensor per month for connectivity. But there are many applications with lower return-on-investment requirements that are still not connected, because traditional communication technologies do not deliver a positive return on investment at current monthly fees.
LPWA networks offer an efficient answer to the problem described above. With this technology, the initial cost of the radio module and the monthly service fee are much lower (cents per month instead of dollars per month). While a cellular modem would cost more than 30 dollars, an ETI IoT module can be built for a fraction of that.
The potential of LPWAN is enormous. According to analyst reports, more than 20 billion IoT devices will be available by 2020, and a large share of them will be connected over LPWAN. Several LPWAN technologies are now present on the market. They differ from one another in frequency, bandwidth, RF modulation approach, and spectrum usage algorithms. As a result, each has its own key points to consider when choosing the right technology for the Internet of Things.
IoT applications with LPWAN
There are many enterprise, industrial, and municipal business sectors for which LPWAN is the best fit. Here are a few examples of IoT applications where LPWAN is the perfect technology, providing long-lasting and cost-effective connectivity. LPWAN is ideal for economical and fast coverage of a large area such as a city or even a country.
Water metering
Utility companies collect water meter readings very sporadically, without a reliable online monitoring system. GPRS and other wired or wireless technologies are limited and not cost-effective. An LPWA network covers a hundred square miles and delivers small data payloads to an automated metering system in real time, with no need for physical visits.
Smart grid control
Today most power companies deliver electricity to customers without feedback or real-time consumption monitoring. Making electrical grids smarter enables more efficient power transmission, cost savings for suppliers and consumers, and effective load balancing.
Smoke detectors
Smoke detectors, fire alarms, and other connected security systems are important for safety. At the same time, they do not need to send much data to the person monitoring them. In practice, all that is required is the transmission of a signal carrying the sensor's current operating status along with alarm messages. An LPWA network is perfectly suited to such application requirements.