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Buying a LoRaWAN gateway - clarify important factors in advance
In order to buy a suitable gateway, a few points must be determined in advance.
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Indoor or outdoor area
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Range and positioning
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Transmission types
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Protocols and frequency band
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Data interval and energy consumption
LoRaWAN gateways for indoor or outdoor use
It can start quite simply with the question of whether it should be an outdoor LoRaWAN gateway or whether it should be an indoor product. Of course, an outdoor LoRaWAN gateway can also be used indoors, but the situation is much worse the other way round. An indoor product used outdoors will soon reach its technical limits, which can be a problem, especially in the field of surveillance. Therefore, the question of how robust the device needs to be is of course also an important part of the preliminary analysis.
Pay attention to the range
The range, the associated correct positioning and the transmission type are also important. Should the end devices communicate with each other via Ethernet, Wi-Fi or mobile radio? As with the LPS8v2-EU868-E , all variants can also be included in the product. The most suitable product depends on the area of application.
Protocols and frequency band
In addition to the interfaces, the protocols used to control communication, i.e. sending and receiving, are also crucial. The same applies to the frequency band. While the 868 frequency band is specified as the standard in Germany, there may be deviations in other countries.
The data interval has a direct impact on energy consumption
One last point that should not be missing from the agenda is the data interval. The shorter the data transmission interval, the more intensive the energy consumption / power consumption. This raises the question of which interval length is required and which product can offer this. It is therefore essential to check these points before making a purchase in order to select a suitable model.
What are LoRaWAN gateways?
End devices, such as LoRaWAN sensors, communicate with the associated server or with each other via a LoRaWAN gateway, provided the respective product is designed for this type of communication. This always depends on the equipment and software of the product used. The gateway determines the level of communication and the range.
Using the example of the LPS8v2-EU868-E open source gateway
To illustrate this, the LPS8v2-EU868-E will serve as an example model. The LPS8v2-EU868-E is a so-called open-source LoRaWAN gateway. This LoRaWAN gateway can be used to establish a connection between the devices in the network via an IP network using Wi-Fi, Ethernet or a mobile network (4G module). The LPS8v2-EU868-E supports various types of LoRaWAN network connections, including Semtech UDP, LoRaWAN Basic Station or Packet Forwarder. This feature enables the connection between the respective devices to be established reliably.
As many countries use different frequency bands for data transmission, all common variants are preconfigured in the LPS8v2-EU868-E. This not only makes the device easier to use, but also expands the LoRaWAN gateway's area of application.
Another feature of this product is remote management. Not every model has such a feature. If you want to buy a LoRaWAN gateway, this point should definitely be on the checklist.
What are the advantages of a Dragino Gateway?
A Dragino gateway, as can be seen in the example of the LPS8v2-EU868-E, has an open source multichannel LoRaWAN gateway. This means that it is possible to set up communication on different basic structures, such as Ethernet or Wi-Fi. Two further advantages of the LPS8v2 are the integrated LoRaWAN server (ChirpStack V4) and the integrated application server (Node-RED). The system integrator therefore has the option of using his service without a third-party provider.
This versatility of the product means that the network can be customised to the circumstances and thus configured for different areas of application. This is a decisive advantage if, for example, the project changes due to various influences or even a completely new project is to be tackled, which is characterised by different requirements.
New LoRa manufacturer in our range: Get to know RAKwireless
The RAKwireless brand is new in our range. RAKwireless offers a wide range of products and services, including LoRaWAN gateways, sensors, modules and software solutions for IoT applications. Particularly noteworthy here is the LoRaWan Field Tester. The LoRaWan Field Tester is essential because it checks network performance, optimises installation, fixes errors and ensures a cost-efficient LoRaWan installation. If you are interested in a completely self-sufficient outdoor LoRaWAN gateway, you should definitely take a look at the RAK9155 RAK Battery Plus & Solar Kit. The gateway's battery is charged with solar energy. Compared to other providers such as Dragino, RAKWireless specialises more in modular solutions for developers and agricultural businesses.
Frequently asked questions about LoRaWAN gateways
Here we answer some questions about LoRaWAN gateways. If you have any further questions, please get in touch directly using our contact form.
Which LoRaWAN gateway is right for me?
The right LoRaWAN gateway is the one that is optimally tailored to the requirements of the project and the needs of the user. To ensure this, it is advisable to carefully consider the points mentioned in the text:
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Indoor or outdoor area
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Range and positioning
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Transmission types
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Protocols and frequency band
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Data interval and energy consumption
What does a LoRaWAN gateway do?
A LoRaWAN gateway is the interface between individual end devices and a possible LoRaWAN server. The gateway determines the communication level, range and protocol used for data exchange.
What does IoT mean?
The term IoT is often used in connection with a LoRaWAN gateway. IoT stands for Internet of Things and describes an intelligently designed infrastructure of technical devices that communicate with each other. How many technical devices are integrated into such a network depends on the task at hand.
What are the advantages of an open source LoRaWAN gateway?
With an open source version, users have the option of configuring the entire IoT network structure. In addition to the connection (e.g. choice between antenna and cable), this also includes device management, data processing and application integration. The configuration can therefore be customised for all applications.
Where can LoRaWAN gateways be used?
LoRaWAN gateways can be used in both private and professional applications. If several end devices are used in a project, care should be taken to ensure that they are compatible with each other.