With over 12 billion connected IoT devices worldwide and the number projected to cross more than 24 billion by the end of 2030, LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN standards are fast spreading across the telecom landscape and creating better living conditions in their wake. A company has a large facility with several buildings and outdoor areas that require monitoring and control of various systems such as HVAC, lighting, security, and equipment. The existing wired network infrastructure is limited and expensive to expand, and Wi-Fi signals do not reach all areas reliably. The company needs a wireless network solution that is cost-effective, has long-range capabilities, and can support low-power devices that run on batteries. LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a wireless protocol that uses low-power, wide-area network (LPWAN) technology to enable long-range communication with low-power devices. It operates on unlicensed radio bands, making it a cost-effective solution for the company. However, implementing LoRaWAN can be challenging, and that's where CLoRaWAN comes in.
CLoRaWAN is an open-source library that provides an easy-to-use interface for LoRaWAN communication. It supports multiple regions and devices, and its modular architecture allows for flexibility and customization. Using CLoRaWAN, the company can quickly deploy a wireless network that covers their entire facility, enabling remote monitoring and control of their various systems. The low-power capabilities of LoRaWAN also mean that battery-operated devices can last for years without needing replacement, saving the company on maintenance costs. Overall, implementing LoRaWAN with CLoRaWAN provides a cost-effective, long-range wireless network solution that can support low-power devices for remote monitoring and control of a company's various systems.The ability to easily connect a large number of nodes (around 1000 devices per gateway) over long ranges, makes LoRaWAN useful in the management and control of smart city systems that include street lighting, waste management, environment monitoring, smart parking, public transport, and maintenance.
LoRaWAN network is highly efficient in monitoring IoT in utilities and ensuring their seamless daily operations. It helps in data collection and its transformation into action, without human intervention.
In addition to these factors, the LoRa Alliance, the organization responsible for the LoRaWAN standard, continues to drive innovation and expansion of the technology. The LoRa Alliance has been working on new specifications for LoRaWAN 2.4GHz, which is expected to expand the capabilities of the technology further. Overall, the future outlook for the LoRaWAN market is positive, with the technology expected to play a significant role in the growth of the IoT industry. As more devices and applications become connected, the demand for long-range, low-power wireless networks is expected to increase, creating opportunities for LoRaWAN technology to expand into new markets and use cases.
Here are some trends for the LoRaWAN market in the Asia Pacific and North America regions:According to a survey, there will be more than 100 million buildings using smart building technologies worldwide, in the next few years. LoRa-based smart building solutions are quick and easy to install. They can maximize efficiency and reduce costs with minimal investment. LoRa radio waves can pass through doors, walls, ceilings, garages, etc., and reach the sensors inside a building. They ensure centralized, smart building management and monitoring of lighting, heating, cooling, and fire safety. Furthermore, facility managers can gain insights into occupancy, energy consumption, air quality, and environmental conditions in and around the buildings.
LoRaWAN networks are perfect to incorporate artificial intelligence in healthcare because of their low power consumption, cheap cost, and reliable performance. By transferring data between patients and doctors in real time, the LoRaWAN protocol could significantly improve the ease of patient diagnosis. These sensors can establish a safe and dependable wireless connection between patients, nurses, and doctors. Enterprises and government authorities have been responding to the COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging IoT technologies to tackle health, safety, and financial concerns. LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol have assisted with contact tracing, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations in the workplace, and addressing the needs of medical professionals.
Some emerging economies may find implementing 5G solutions quite expensive. But LoRaWAN is flexible, simple, and requires low network hardware. Its implementation and operational costs are significantly low. For instance, India is attempting to harness the power of IoT, data analytics, and automation to transform its traditional manufacturing capabilities and stride into the era of Industry 4.0. This is being expedited with the help of LoRa-based connectivity. The deployment of LoRaWAN is helping keep the burgeoning number of manufacturing plants, smart manufacturing platforms, machines, and workers connected, productive, and highly efficient.