The LoRaWAN protocol is developed and maintained by the LoRa Alliance. The first LoRaWAN specification was released in January 2015. LoRaWAN is a Media Access Control (MAC)layer protocol built on top of LoRa modulation. It is a software layer which defines how devices use the LoRa hardware, for example when they transmit, and the format of messages.
LoRaWAN Thermostat
Why is LoRaWAN so awesome?
Ultra low power – LoRaWAN end devices are optimized to operate in low power mode and can last up to 10 years on a single coin cell battery.
Long range – LoRaWAN gateways can transmit and receive signals over a distance of over 10 kilometers in rural areas and up to 3 kilometers in dense urban areas.
Deep indoor penetration – LoRaWAN networks can provide deep indoor coverage, and easily cover multi floor buildings.
License free spectrum – You don’t have to pay expensive frequency spectrum license fees to deploy a LoRaWAN network.
Geolocation- A LoRaWAN network can determine the location of end devices using triangulation without the need for GPS. A LoRa end device can be located if at least three gateways pick up its signal.
High capacity – LoRaWAN Network Servers handle millions of messages from thousands of gateways.
Public and private deployments – It is easy to deploy public and private LoRaWAN networks using the same hardware (gateways, end devices, antennas) and software (UDP packet forwarders, Basic Station software, LoRaWAN stacks for end devices).
End-to-end security- LoRaWAN ensures secure communication between the end device and the application server using AES-128 encryption.
Firmware updates over the air – You can remotely update firmware (applications and the LoRaWAN stack) for a single end device or group of end devices.
Roaming- LoRaWAN end devices can perform seamless handovers from one network to another.
Low cost – Minimal infrastructure, low-cost end nodes and open source software.
Certification program – The LoRa Alliance certification program certifies end devices and provides end-users with confidence that the devices are reliable and compliant with the LoRaWAN specification.
Ecosystem- LoRaWAN has a very large ecosystem of device makers, gateway makers, antenna makers, network service providers, and application developers