Por que LoRaWAN é a melhor escolha para rastreamento de IoT de longo alcance e baixo consumo de energia

12 de outubro de 2024
Estudos de caso de IoT

12 de outubro de 2024
Estudos de caso de IoT

Introdução

The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized asset tracking, providing innovative soluções to monitor and manage resources effectively. Among the various connectivity technologies available, LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) stands out as an optimal choice for factories, harbors, campuses, parking lots, hospitals, and even nationwide tracking projects. This paper explores the advantages of LoRaWAN, particularly in the context of a parking lot, factory, warehouse, or livestock tracking, and demonstrates why it is the best connectivity technology for such endeavors.

Vantagens do LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN, Cobertura de Longo Alcance

Tecnologia LoRaWAN is renowned for its extensive coverage capabilities, spanning several kilometers. This is particularly beneficial for a parking lot where cars may be spread across large areas, including buildings, open spaces, and remote locations. The ability to cover long distances ensures that tracking devices can communicate effectively with portais, regardless of their location.

Distância de comunicação do rastreador de crachá Lansitec:
· 5 km @SF9 com alguns edifícios e bosques entre o portal e o rastreador.
· 19km @SF9. O portal está em um edifício de 30m de altura na costa, e o rastreador está em um navio

Gateway Bluetooth solar:
· 3 km @SF9 com alguns edifícios e bosques entre o portal e o rastreador.

A distância pode ser maior aumentando o SF para 10, 11 ou 12.
To know more about LoRaWAN coverage, please refer to “Quais são os fatores que afetam o alcance do LoRaWAN na IoT?”

The long-range coverage feature makes LoRaWAN ideal for the following tracking projects:
· Rastreamento de veículos e chaves em estacionamentos de concessionárias
· Rastreamento de pescadores e trabalhadores offshore

LoRaWAN, baixo consumo de energia

One of the significant advantages of LoRaWAN is its low power consumption. Devices using LoRaWAN can operate for extended periods on a single battery charge or one small non-chargeable battery, which is crucial for tracking applications where frequent battery replacements would be impractical. This feature reduces maintenance costs and ensures continuous monitoring of personnel, cars, and assets without interruption.

A baixa corrente TX e RX, comparada à rede celular, também reduz a necessidade de saída da bateria, então temos mais opções de bateria.

MCU: nRF52832
LoRa RF: SX1262
SF9
Tamanho dos dados: 9 bytes
Mensagem confirmada
Corrente TX média do sistema: 110,78 mA
Corrente média RX do sistema: 4,97 mA
Consumo total de energia: 16,01 mC, 0,00445 mAh

LoRaWAN, Custo-Efetividade

LoRaWAN is an affordable solution for asset tracking. The technology does not require expensive infrastructure, making it accessible for all projects with limited budgets. It uses the ISM band, which is free to use worldwide so that everyone can build their own LPWAN.

LoRaWAN has low operational costs, such as minimal battery replacements, various LoRaWAN portais and network servers (NS) at different costs, and low data transmission fees, further enhancing its cost-effectiveness. Some LoRaWAN portais have a built-in network server, which is ideal for small projects.

Além disso, podemos encontrar opções adicionais para vários fornecedores, incluindo fabricantes de dispositivos, NS e provedores de APP na LoRa Alliance, para otimizar nossa solução.

Opções de rede LoRaWAN

One of the significant benefits of LoRaWAN is that anyone can build their on-premise or cloud-based LoRaWAN network for different kinds of projects. In addition to a private network, users can tap into existing nationwide networks in countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. These established networks provide comprehensive coverage and infrastructure for LoRaWAN-enabled devices.

Para quem busca uma abordagem mais descentralizada, o Helium oferece uma alternativa interessante. A rede do Helium opera em escala global, contando com uma rede distribuída de hotspots mantidos por usuários individuais. Esse modelo descentralizado permite uma cobertura mais ampla e maior flexibilidade, tornando-o uma opção atraente para aplicações de IoT (Internet das Coisas) em todo o mundo.

Satellite-based LoRaWAN communication offers another way to track live stock, vehicles and containers. It includes some unique features:

LoRaWAN Global Coverage: Satellite connectivity ensures that LoRaWAN devices can communicate from virtually anywhere on Earth, even in remote or rural areas with limited terrestrial network infrastructure.

LoRaWAN Escalabilidade: LoRaWAN satellite networks can accommodate a large number of devices, making them suitable for large-scale IoT deployments.

LoRaWAN Custo-benefício: LoRaWAN satellite soluções often offer a more cost-effective alternative to traditional satellite communication technologies.

LoRaWAN Reliability: A comunicação via satélite oferece um alto nível de confiabilidade e resiliência, mesmo em ambientes desafiadores.

Users can even use peer-to-peer communication (in addition to LoRaWAN) in cases where only a few devices and a simplified network are needed, such as a fisherman alert and tracking system.
So, the LoRaWAN network is flexible, and it can be as small as a ship to track sailers and fishermen, or nationwide to track recipientes, paletes, e ativos de aluguel.

Capacidade da rede LoRaWAN

O capacidade da rede LoRaWAN Isso não é um problema na maioria dos sistemas de monitoramento, pois a frequência dos relatórios é baixa, de minutos a horas, ou pode ser acionada por eventos. No entanto, em um projeto de rastreamento, os usuários desejam monitorar ativos ou pessoal a cada poucos segundos ou minutos.

Exemplo 1:

Rastreador GNSS: 750 unidades
Intervalo do relatório: 5 minutos
Tamanho dos dados: 9 bytes
SF7, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 3.6%
SF8, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 7%
SF9, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 14%

Para maximizar a capacidade da rede e minimizar a perda de pacotes, é melhor manter a taxa de capacidade menor que 15%.

Exemplo 2:

Rastreador GNSS: 50 unidades
Intervalo do relatório: 15s
Tamanho dos dados: 9 bytes
SF7, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 5%
SF8, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 10%
SF9, LoRaWAN gateway capacity rate is 20%

For detailed network capacity evaluation, please refer to our “8 Channel Capacidade da rede LoRaWAN Evaluation”, PN: 511-00054.

As we can tell from example 1 and 2, the capacity of a LoRaWAN network is a function of its gateway density. Spreading Factor (SF), data size, and bandwidth determine the capacity of a one-gateway network. We can also expand the network capacity by adding more communication channels: from 8 to 16 uplink channels in EU868 or from 8 to 16 or more (up to 64) in US915, AU915 and CN470. The capacity can also be increased by adding more LoRaWAN portais.

Para Gateways Bluetooth e sensores that are static, using an adaptive data rate (ADR) mechanism is essential. The main goal of ADR is to save the battery power of the LoRaWAN end nodes. Having the end nodes closest to a gateway transmits using the lowest spreading factor minimizes their time on air and prolongs their battery life. More distant sensores transmit at a higher spreading factor. A trade-off is made between battery power and distance, given that a higher spreading factor allows for a gateway to connect to devices that are further away

However, for a tracker that is mobile, it is better to use a fixed data rate to save power while it roams at different distances to the LoRaWAN gateway. The fixed data rate also maintains stable communication for a mobile device, i.e., rastreadores.

Roaming e Mobilidade LoRaWAN

Em LoRaWAN, end nodes are not connected to a specific gateway. Instead, data transmitted by a node is typically received by multiple portais and forwarded to the central network server, where the messages are verified and forwarded securely to the APP. Intelligence and complexity are transferred to the network servers that manage the network and will filter redundant packets received, perform security checks, schedule acknowledgments through the optimal gateway, perform adaptive data rates, and more. If the node is mobile or moving, there is no need to pass control from gateway to gateway, which is a key feature that allows the asset tracking application.

LoRaWAN Alta Segurança

Security is a paramount concern in any tracking project, especially when dealing with sensitive data. LoRaWAN employs robust encryption standards, ie. AES-128, to ensure that data transmitted between devices and portais is secure and protected from unauthorized access. This high level of security is essential for maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of tracking information.

Tamanho da carga útil, taxa de dados e latência do LoRaWAN

LoRaWAN offers a versatile data transmission profile with a maximum application payload of 11-242 bytes (depending on the frequency band and spreading factor), data rates ranging from 255bps to 50kbps, and latency typically measured in seconds depending on the RECEIVE_DELAY setting). While these parameters may not always surpass NB-IoT, CAT-M, or Cat-1 in every aspect, they are well-suited for many tracking applications.

Estudos de caso e implementações práticas de LoRaWAN

Carros e chaves no estacionamento de concessionárias

Solução Lansitec B-Mobile® combina Beacons Bluetooth, and Bluetooth gateway with LoRaWAN to provide seamless cars and keys tracking capabilities. Here’s how it works:

Beacons Bluetooth: Esses pequenos dispositivos podem ser acoplados a chaves e pendurados nos espelhos retrovisores. Eles anunciam continuamente sua presença.

Gateways Bluetooth: Estrategicamente posicionado Gateways Bluetooth detect these faróis when they come into range. These portais then transmit the beacon data (major, minor, battery status, and RSSI) over LoRaWAN networks.

LoRaWAN: Offers wide-range and low-power tracking. With up to 5 km range in urban areas and over 20 km in rural environments, LoRaWAN portais cover large areas. The Chirp Spread Spectrum modulation ensures resilience to interference.

Benefícios

Experiência aprimorada do cliente: O rastreamento em tempo real melhora o atendimento ao cliente durante auditorias e interações.

Farol Bluetooth Bateria de longa duração: Beacons Bluetooth can last over 5 years, ensuring persistent tracking.

Gateway Solar Bluetooth: O Recepção Bluetooth on the Bluetooth gateway can continuously receive nearby faróis and report to a LoRaWAN immediately. The low power consumption enables the Bluetooth gateway to be free from maintenance.

Rastreamento de Contêineres

Users can deploy LoRaWAN portais on ports between islands, factories, and warehousing to provide seamless connectivity.

Rastreamento de contêineres: O Lansitec Rastreador de Contêineres LoRaWAN Oferece visibilidade em tempo real durante o trânsito entre ilhas. Você sempre saberá onde seus contêineres estão, seja em navios, caminhões ou em pátios de armazenamento.
Attach these rastreadores to pallets, machinery, or other assets in factories and warehouses. Monitor movement, optimize workflows, and prevent loss or theft.

Monitoramento de uso da máquina: Monitore os padrões de uso dos equipamentos. Identifique máquinas ociosas ou detecte anomalias na operação.

Gestão de ativos: Whether its tools, spare parts, or valuable inventory, this tracker streamlines asset management with Bluetooth and transits the information over LoRaWAN.

Rastreamento de Trabalhadores

O rastreador de crachás e sensor de capacete Lansitec pode ser usado para rastrear trabalhadores em um canteiro de obras, plataforma de petróleo ou usina eólica no mar.

Rastreador de crachás

Lansitec badge tracker is designed based on GNSS, Bluetooth 5.0 and LoRa technology. It supports indoor and outdoor tracking. The badge is mainly used for personnel and asset management.
Seu acelerador de 3 eixos integrado pode ser usado para determinar o status de movimento do terminal. Portanto, pode ajudar a economizar bateria e aprimorar a experiência do usuário.

Ver o produto

Sensor de capacete

O sensor para capacete Lansitec foi projetado com base em GNSS, Bluetooth 5.0 e Tecnologia LoRaWAN. It supports indoor and outdoor tracking.
Ele suporta diversos recursos que contribuem para um gerenciamento fácil em ambientes industriais. Seu acelerador de 3 eixos integrado pode ser usado para determinar o status de movimento do terminal. Portanto, pode ajudar a economizar bateria e aprimorar a experiência do usuário.

Ver o produto

Rastreamento de alta precisão UWB

LoRaWAN can be used for data synchronization and transmission in a UWB high-precision tracking system. Anchors deployed 20~30m away from each other can be battery-powered for more than 5 years with the benefit of the low power consumption of LoRaWAN. Rastreadores com LoRaWAN and UWB forward the distance information to a LoRaWAN gateway for the server to calculate its position.
In this LoRaWAN-based UWB tracking solution, both anchors and rastreadores are battery-powered, significantly reducing the deployment maintenance effort.

Não hesite em entrar em contato conosco para obter mais informações sobre a solução de rastreamento UWB baseada em LoRaWAN.

Conclusão

LoRaWAN emerges as the best connectivity technology for a regional tracking project due to its long-range coverage, low power consumption, cost-effectiveness, and high security. By leveraging LoRaWAN, parking lots, seaports, hospitals, and construction sites can effectively monitor and manage their assets, ensuring enhanced security and operational efficiency.