Understanding LoRa Technology
LoRa is now a well-known technology, particularly used in many connected objects to communicate over LoRaWAN networks, whether operated or private. It is important to distinguish LoRa from LoRaWAN: the former is a proprietary radio technology (owned by Semtech) based on a specific modulation, while the latter is a standardized protocol that allows objects using LoRa technology to communicate with each other, defining the link between gateways and objects. Many people mistakenly use the word "LoRa" to refer to LoRaWAN.
Use Beyond LoRaWAN
However, LoRa is not limited to use on a LoRaWAN network. You can very well use this technology for applications that don't require the complexity of LoRaWAN. By setting up a point-to-point communication, for example, you can have two objects communicating with each other, several kilometers apart, all with low energy consumption, no subscription, and no additional equipment. This flexibility makes it a major asset in electronic design for embedded systems.
Disadvantages of LoRa Technology
Anyone who has used the technology has encountered its two main disadvantages: they are related to the frequency band used, namely the 868 MHz band. The use of this unlicensed band requires compliance with the current ETSI standard, notably limiting communication to 1% of the time (36 seconds per hour). The use of this band is also limited to Europe, with other geographic areas having their own free frequencies (915MHz in North America, for example). This frequency shift often requires different hardware and configurations, as the standards differ.
Using LoRa on Other Frequency Bands
As we mentioned, since LoRa technology is based on modulation, it is not limited to the 868-915 MHz band. It can be used on 169 MHz, 433 MHz, and even on another free frequency band worldwide: 2.4GHz, widely used for WiFi and Bluetooth, among others. By using this frequency, not only is the data rate better, but you can use up to 10% of the bandwidth (compared to 1% on 868 MHz). As for the range, it remains excellent. In our tests, we reached 8 km, and this was without even adjusting the range to its maximum (by playing with the Spreading Factor). In terms of cost, this technology remains inexpensive and almost identical to 868 MHz.
Applications of LoRa 2.4GHz
LoRa 2.4GHz is a technology we master perfectly and have implemented in several of our projects. It is suitable when you need to send data frequently and require long range.
For example, we used it for a weather station on the ground that sends its data directly to the cockpits of nearby ultralight aircraft, with a range of around ten kilometers. Another project where we used this technology: a building ventilation management system; to ensure coverage on each floor and regularly send the status of the sensors, LoRa 2.4GHz was the obvious choice.
Contact us if you need help choosing the radio technology for your project.