As its name suggests, long-range wide-area network or LoRaWAN technology is widely used for long-range, low-power communication in Internet-of-things (IoT) applications. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of connecting an SX130x 868M LoRaWAN Gateway Module to a Raspberry Pi 4 using hardware attached on top (HAT). This setup creates a LoRaWAN gateway,…
Best practices for securing LoRa networks
This article explains how to establish secure communication between two LoRa end-node devices using Lora E5 mini boards. LoRa, which stands for “long range,” is a wireless technology with the ability to send small amounts of data over large distances. Two end-node devices can exchange encrypted messages. The transmitting device encrypts the message before sending…
How to set-up and use the Heltec LoRa 32 board
Heltec Lora-32 is a high-quality Wi-Fi LoRa (long-range) development board that competes with the Lilygo TTGO T-LoRa32, RAKwireless WisNode LoRaWAN RAK811, and STMicroelectronics Nucleo boards. What differentiates Heltec LoRa-32 is that it’s more than a LoRa-only device, offering Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities. This allows Heltec to easily integrate into existing network infrastructure in an Internet-of-Things…
The top LoRa transceivers and development boards of 2024
LoRaWAN is a popular low-power wireless communication technology that provides a range of up to 15 km. LoRa signals can penetrate buildings and obstacles, providing reliable device-to-device communication over a broad coverage area. Thousands of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices can be integrated within this range for seamless peer-to-peer communication. These radio devices are power-efficient and easily…
How to design a heart-rate monitor using LoRa and Arduino
In this electronics project, we’ll design a healthcare solution over LoRa, using an Arduino Nano and a heart-rate sensor connected via the I2C bus. This device demonstrates the potential of the Internet-of-Things (IoT) in enhancing healthcare services and improving patient outcomes. The system measures a person’s heart rate in beats per minute (BPM) from a…
How to design a LoRa-based asset-tracking system for supply chain management
In this project, we’ll design a GPS-based location-tracking system using LoRa technology, offering versatile asset-tracking capabilities. LoRa-based asset tracking This system employs a GPS module, establishing a virtual circle roughly 20 meters from the initial location. The location data is transmitted to the Arduino Nano through UART communication. For location updates, the system follows a…
How to combine a gateway and server when using LoRa
In this tutorial about LoRa technology, we’ll cover two methods for combining a gateway and server by sending data to a PHP script for storage in a database and redirecting data to an MQTT server. ChirpStack is a powerful LoRaWAN network server that offers versatile integration options for managing and visualizing data. Let’s delve into…
Part 1: Types of open-source LoRa gateways and servers
ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that provides a solution for managing and maintaining LoRaWAN networks. LoRaWAN is a low-power, wide-area networking protocol. This article offers a step-by-step guide to ChirpStack installation, allowing a stable Internet-of-Things (IoT) network foundation. To learn how to connect and set up the initial hardware, please refer to this article:…
What are the programming essentials for LoRa nodes?
LoRa (long-range) technology ensures reliable long-range communication between a node and gateway, making it well-suited for a range of Internet-of-Things (IoT) applications. The purpose of building a LoRa node is to reduce costs while ensuring long-term, low-power use for devices. LoRa’s low power is affected by several features, covered below. Features Smart programming. The written…
Difference between LOS and NLOS in Wireless LoRa Technology
In today’s world of communication, Long Range (LoRa) technology has taken a significant role, providing strong, long-distance connections. LoRa’s way of sending signals and its impressive reach make it an ideal option for many direct and indirect network paths. This article explores how LoRa works in two situations: when devices can see each other (line-of-sight…
How LoRa can impact smart cities with parking sensors
In this article, we’ll configure a parking sensor using LoRa (long-range) devices. LoRa is a wireless communication technique derived from Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) technology. For this project, Arduino Nano is connected to an ultrasonic sensor, detecting parking occupancy based on distance measurements. When a vehicle enters or leaves a parking space, the ultrasonic sensor…
What is Chirpstack?
ChirpStack is an open-source LoRaWAN Network Server that enables communication between LoRaWAN devices and applications. It has a complete set of components, including a Network Server, Gateway Bridge, and Application Server, that can be used to set up and manage a LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN is a network layer protocol maintained by the LoRa Alliance to…
How communication works between two LoRa end-node devices
Communication between two LoRa end-node devices can happen seamlessly. Both end-node devices include the LoRa E5 Mini Board, which switches quickly between sending and receiving messages — making two-way communication possible. In this setup, communication begins with one device sending a message and waiting for confirmation. Upon receipt, the receiving device sends a reply confirming…
How to integrate modules and smart meters with LoRa node-to-gateway communication
LoRa (long-range) technology ensures reliable long-range communication between a node and gateway, providing long-term, low-power use for devices This article provides an explanation of LoRa node-to-gateway communication while introducing a node equipped with two buttons to control the flags. These buttons enable users to turn on or off specific actions associated with each button and…
How LoRa enables long-range communication
LoRa (Long Range) is a type of wireless communication technology designed to send information over long distances with low power consumption. It uses a special technique called chirp spread spectrum (CSS) modulation, which operates by continuously changing the frequency of a transmitted signal over time. This varying frequency generates a waveform (resembling the sound of…
What are LoRa gateways and what types are available?
A LoRa gateway is a wireless communication technology designed for long-range, low-power communication between devices for the Internet of things (IoT). The LoRa gateway receives the data from devices, forwarding it to a network server, which manages the network and handles the data routing and processing. The gateways typically use a dedicated LoRa concentrator chip…
How does LoRa modulation enable long-range communication?
What is LoRa? LoRa (Long Range) is a wireless communication technology that sends information over long distances with low power consumption. It uses a special technique called chirp spread spectrum (CSS) modulation. Chirp Spread Spectrum operates by continuously changing the transmitted signal’s frequency over time. This varying frequency generates a waveform that resembles the sound…
What is the LoRaWAN network and how does it work?
LoRa (“long-range”) is an excellent wireless communication solution without networking capabilities. It’s a reliable, energy-efficient, encryption-secured, low-cost wireless connectivity technology. And as its name suggests, it offers an extremely long range. LoRa operates at the physical layer of an OSI model and is implemented at the chip level — excluding the network management protocol. This…