LoRa

The LoRa network enables the connection and mutual communication of a large number of different devices and sensors, which represents the basis for the development of the IoT ecosystem, i.e. digitization and digital transformation of society as a whole.

LoRa WAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is one of the standards in the field of LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technologies, which operate in the unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) frequency range (such as Sigfox, WiFi, Zigbee), but also in the licensed range (NB-IoT, LTE-M, 5G). LoRa WAN, unlike the other mentioned technologies, currently provides the best performance in terms of price-quality ratio. This standard is of open type, which means that it enables simple and safe connection with other systems.

Sensor devices based on LoRa technology do not require the transfer of a large amount of data or a high data transfer rate. On the other hand, they enable reliable and long-lasting operation with a power source without the need to recharge the battery for a period of up to 20 years.

Area coverage by one base station is within a radius of 2-3 km in densely populated areas, while it can reach up to 15 km in rural areas. The frequency range used in Europe is 863-870 MHz.

There are currently over 191 million LoRa end devices in the world, and estimates by ABI Research indicate that by 2026, more than 50% of non-mobile devices will be connected via LoRa technology.

LoRa Smart City Solution Architecture

LoRa devices/sensors (LoRa Devices) are connected via the LoRa network to LoRa base stations (LoRa Gateways), which send all relevant data to the Cloud via a standard Internet connection. In the Cloud, there are application servers that turn the processed data into useful information that is displayed on the user end (Frontend), that is, on mobile devices (phones and tablets) and personal computers (desktops and laptops).

The solution

The intention is to implement, for example, functional coverage of urban, suburban and rural areas with the LoRa network, that is, the infrastructure will be enabled by installing LoRa base stations (LoRa Gateways) and provide LoRa devices (sensors) for various purposes, along with the accompanying software solution.

This solution is applicable for general local government purposes, but can be further adapted to a B2B model for commercial purposes. The client as the owner of the solution can develop different financial modalities for interested legal entities.

The importance of the collected data and their further use would enable timely reactions of all entities in the system, which, in addition to commercial importance and savings, would improve the safety and quality of life of citizens.

Data Collection and Information Sharing

The software part of the solution involves collecting data from LoRa Gateways ("base stations") via a classic Internet connection, storing them, processing them and making them available to end users (other applications).

User applications include web and mobile solutions in terms of:

Examples of Use

Sensors for humidity and soil quality: These sensors enable timely irrigation and/or fertilization of cultivated areas. If the data is exposed to all citizens, it is possible to increase the influence and importance of the information system of the local self-government. In the case of private individuals, this section can be adapted to commercial contracts.

City lighting control sensors: The InteliLIGHT smart city lighting system, based on LoRa infrastructure, can save electricity and quickly pay off the entire project. Sensors read outdoor lighting and adjust the lighting of street lamps, reducing electricity consumption.

Sensors for smart parking: These sensors will help citizens in the inner city center where traffic is heavy and the parking problem is becoming more pronounced. The applications will provide precise information about available parking spaces.

Sensors for flooding or measurement of atmospheric parameters: These sensors enable the timely action of institutions and citizens in case of floods or to monitor the microclimate.

Monitoring and control of livestock or means of work: This data significantly optimizes domain operational costs, either independently or in combination with other technologies and sensors.

Benefits

The introduction of such a solution, as the basis of digitalization of society within the Smart City concept, will result in the following:

Significant savings in infrastructural maintenance of the large-coverage LoRa network and associated LoRa devices (sensors),
Creation and use of information of public and commercial importance,
Socially responsible behavior and actions of local self-government and state institutions,
Timely and preventive notification and action,
The possibility of developing new B2B models,
Satisfaction of citizens.