Figure 1: LoRaWAN networks are everywhere

The answer is simple: Everywhere.

Whether public, private, mobile, or even satellite, the ubiquity of LoRaWAN-based networks and the solutions they support is growing rapidly, driven by the rapid pace of innovation across the LoRaWAN ecosystem.

Introduction

To effectively deploy a LoRa®-based Internet of Things (IoT) solution, you will either need access to an existing LoRaWAN® network, or will have to install your own. Conveniently, you have the option to register your LoRa-based devices with either a public or private network.

LoRa®-based devices connected to a LoRaWAN network operate in the unlicensed radio band known as the ISM band. While a LoRaWAN network can be deployed anywhere in the world, there are different regulatory requirements depending on the location of the deployment.

There are a number of differentiators for LoRa® devices and the LoRaWAN® protocol that have helped in its widespread adoption, including long range connectivity, battery lifetime, security, network architecture, and network capacity. However, there is one particular feature that will drive LoRaWAN adoption for years to come. Technical challenges or limitations (range, capacity, battery lifetime, etc.) are no longer a barrier to Internet of Things (IoT) adoption. The remaining challenges of the IoT are system integration, digital transformation, return-on-investment (ROI), service level agreements (SLA), and ensuring interoperability across an ecosystem.

This week we are taking a look at the contents of each module within the LoRaWAN Academy™ curriculum, and what you can expect to learn in each.

Static Context Header Compression (SCHC) is a compression and fragmentation mechanism that enables the use of internet protocols over low power, wide area networks (LPWAN).

Resulting from the common work carried out by Acklio and IMT Atlantique, SCHC opens new horizons for the Internet of Things (IoT) and accelerates LoRaWAN® adoption. Historically, most Internet standards were too complex for LPWAN environments. IoT technologies and use cases were not interoperable and it was challenging to integrate them with existing architectures.

On October 24th, 2019, Semtech hosted a LoRa boot camp in conjunction with Comcast, MachineQ, Murata, RF Laboratories, and SolderWorks. SolderWorks, a diversely experienced hardware and software engineering firm, developed a way to monitor real-time fermentation data using LoRa-based devices. By brewing a special in-house “LoRa® Boot Camp IPA” that provided a unique way to test the LoRa Boot Camp IPA Coaster, the boot camp sponsors were able to demonstrate a potential use case and value proposition of LoRa devices and the open LoRaWAN protocol.

It is no secret that there are a great many ways that businesses can benefit from connecting to the Internet of Things (IoT). Already, there are a number of solutions deployed in the real world that are making a difference in such diverse fields as smart agriculture, smart cities, smart buildings, and the tracking of both domestic and wild animals.