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LoRaWAN Appliaction

This document serves as an introductory guide to LoRaWAN, aiming to help you establish a foundational understanding of the LoRaWAN system architecture. It provides an overview of the fundamental concepts, constituent components, structural framework, and implementation methods associated with the system. The ultimate objective is to enable you to quickly set up your own LoRaWAN system after reading this guide.

What is LoRaWAN?​

LoRaWAN is a wireless networking protocol based on LoRa1 spread spectrum radio technology. It's a low-power, long-range star networking system for IoT devices that send small amounts of data infrequently.

It constitutes a bidirectional communication path comprising a Node -- Gateway -- Cloud Server -- Application chain. Common technical mechanisms essential for communication stability. Including device management, security authentication, digital frequency hopping, and conflict resolution—are all incorporated into this protocol.

Note 1

LoRa spread spectrum radio technology is a mature technology; if you are unfamiliar with it, you can consult an AI or a search engine.

LoRaWAN System Architecture​

To build a LoRaWAN system, the following three components are essential.

  1. LoRa NS
  2. LoRa Gateway
  3. LoRa Node

The relationship among the three can be described using this architectural diagram.

Part 1. LoRaWAN NS​

This section comprises two parts: LoRa Network Server and LoRa Application Server. However, people habitually refer to these two components collectively as "LoRa NS". It typically runs on a server(local or cloud). It is the core network component that manages devices and processes data from gateways. It receives uplink data from LoRaWAN Gateways, handles routing and processing, and forwards data to applications or cloud platforms. It is also responsible for device authentication, network control, and data security.

Here are some common LoRaWAN server platforms

  • Snapemu -- A comprehensive IoT management platform with LoRaWAN support developed by Heltec, it's a lightweight and open-source IoT devices visualization management platform. Including device management, data analysis, curve drawing, and data storage.
  • ChirpStack -- Well-known open-source solution.
  • The Things Stack -- TTN/TTS, public LoRaWAN network.

Part 2. LoRa Gateway​

The primary function of the gateway is data forwarding.

  • Uplink: It receives data transmitted by LoRa nodes via the LoRaWAN protocol, packages it into JSON format, and sends the data to the LoRa NS over the network (UDP, TCP/IP).
  • Downlink: converts the downlink data, ACKs, etc. from the LoRa NS into LoRa radio signals and transmit to LoRa Nodes.

The following are our mainstream LoRaWAN gateway products.

Part 3. LoRa Node​

LoRaWAN End Device (also called LoRa Node) is the device that is deployed on your application side. It can be a type of sensor data collector that convert the sensor data into LoRaWAN format and transmits via a LoRa radio signal. Or a controller for actuators such as water pumps or motors. focuses on data collection and transmission, directly communication with a gateway.

We offer a wide range of LoRa/LoRaWAN node devices, which can be broadly categorized into three types:

This category of products integrates essential peripherals such as power management, display modules, and complete RF circuitry, enabling you to rapidly build functional prototypes and efficiently bring your ideas to life.

ESP32 Series

SeriesDescrption
WiFi LoRa 32 V3ESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262 + OLED Display
WiFi LoRa 32 V4ESP32-S3R2 + SX1262 + OLED Display, 28 ± 1 dBm output
Wireless TrackerESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262 + UC6580 + LCD Display
Wireless Tracker V2ESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262 + UC6580 + LCD Display 28 ± 1 dBm output
Wireless PaperESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262 + 2.13-inch E-Ink Display
Wireless StickESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262 + 0.49*OLED Display
Wireless Stick LiteESP32-S3FN8 + SX1262
Wifi Kit 32ESP32-S3FN8 + CP2102 + OLED Display
Vision Master T190ESP32-S3R8 + SX1262 + TFT Display
Vision Master T213ESP32-S3R8 + SX1262 + E-Ink Display
Vision Master T290ESP32-S3R8 + SX1262 + E-Ink Display

nRF52840 Series

SeriesDescrption
Mesh Node T114nRF52840 + SX1262 + TFT Display
Mesh Node T096nRF52840 + SX1262 + UC6580 + TFT Display, 28 ± 1 dBm output

CubeCell Series

SeriesDescrption
CubeCell GPS-6502ASR6502 + SX1262 + OLED Display
CubeCell Dev-Board PlusASR6502 + SX1262 + OLED Display
CubeCell AB01 Dev-BoardASR6502 + SX1262