The digitalisation of all business and production processes requires the comprehensive networking of all assets as part of the Internet of Things (IoT). This must also include remote or mobile system components. Independent IoT network technology LoRaWAN enables this integration into complete system automation without the need for large investments in infrastructure or escalating operating costs.
The fourth industrial revolution was announced at Hannover Messe 2011. Systems that meet the principles of Industry 4.0 provide an opportunity to digitalise all business and production processes. In addition to major benefits with regards to efficiency, process-stability and transparency, this allows system operators to develop completely new business models.
IoT information hub
This requires all machines to be comprehensively networked and additional sensors and actuators to ensure communication between the machines. Ideally, all sites and remote system components plus mobile units should be included in the network. Although this doesn’t necessarily involve the data leaving that company’s possession, the underlying methods that are used mean this is referred to as the Internet of Things or IoT.
The IoT opens up options for fully networking production and infrastructure systems, both horizontally and vertically, without connectivity requiring a great deal of attention. It is therefore a prerequisite for networking entire business processes and has the potential to allow access via mobile end devices for maintenance technicians (possibly external ones).
Data transport media
There is a huge range of options when it comes to choosing the right data carriers. As Rike Ermeling, Product Management for Network Technology and Smart Home at electronics distributor reichelt elektronik GmbH & Co explains: “According to the principles of Industry 4.0, IoT networks for production and for supply and disposal can only be satisfactorily realised with a well-thought-out combination of different technologies.”
Local area networks, or LANs, with and without real-time capability handle data transmission in workshops and office buildings. Distances between larger sites are often bridged with dedicated lines from specialised providers and today’s solutions often use Internet-based communication services.
Connecting external system components
Many people are counting on the impending 5G wireless mobile standard for integrating remote or even mobile systems such as wind power or sewage plants and agricultural or construction equipment. Although it is unquestionably suitable for transmitting data in the IoT, using it for data transmission is likely to incur costs that would be significantly reduced in plant operation calculations.
The Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) was specially developed for the IoT and is well-suited as a transmission network for communication with system components that are remote, mobile, or that have individual sensors — at least in applications with manageable data volumes. It uses licence-free radio frequencies and enables a range of up to 40 km. As a result, it boasts high coverage in buildings, meaning that even end devices in basements are within range.
As Ermeling explains: “LoRaWAN sensors have proven their worth in applications from ground moisture measurement in agriculture via level measurements in closed containers through to parking space occupancy monitoring in multi-storey car parks. Indoor and outdoor versions are available and can be easily installed and integrated into the network.”
IoT devices without a power connection
In comparison to commercially available mobile networks, LoRaWAN offers manufacturers, operators and maintenance technicians of spatially expanded systems a number of further benefits in addition to eliminating connection charges. One example is that various IoT-capable devices can communicate securely, without the need for increasingly complex and rigid installations. This also includes the power supply, which often requires an enormous outlay or cannot be established at all at remote measuring points or on mobile machines.
As a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN), LoRaWAN is optimised for connecting end devices with economically dimensioned power supply or in mains-independent energy. This is because the especially low processing power of the communication mechanisms contribute to the extremely low energy consumption requirement of end devices. As the end devices are bidirectional, the period of time that they have to be ready to receive downlink communication can be limited.
As Ermeling confirms: “LoRaWAN sensors often operate for several years on a single battery charge. What’s more, they communicate their status regularly, which means that batteries can be replaced promptly.”
Sichere Kommunikation mit LoRaWAN
LoRaWAN networks are usually set up in a star topology, with LoRaWAN end devices communicating with gateways that are connected to the network server by a standard IP connection via single hop connection. This makes it possible to integrate remote system components into existing complete solutions with very little outlay.
Communication within the LoRaWAN network takes place at data rates of 0.3 to 50 kbps. These can be used in combination within a LoRaWAN network and can therefore be managed by the LoRaWAN network server using adaptive data rate algorithms (ADR).
LoRaWAN end devices and gateways use a patented transmission method with very high inherent data security. This is the result of factors including a multi-stage encryption concept. In accordance with EUI64, this is ensured by a unique network key at network level and a unique application at application level. In accordance with EUI128, a device-specific key thereby prevents the effects of data transmission from unauthorised sources, ruling out the possibility of cross communications or echoes that could negatively impact the system.
LoRaWAN als IoT-Standard etabliert
LoRaWAN is by no means the only radio-based LPWAN system on the market and numerous others are available. But Ermeling is in no doubt: “In comparison to other similar systems, LoRaWAN offers the most well-balanced and wide-ranging overall package. It enables a very wide selection of network architectures, device classes, security and scalability for the development of IoT applications.”
Unlike numerous other LPWAN technologies, LoRaWAN is an open system and not a proprietary protocol. It is managed by the LoRa Alliance, which was founded in 2015 as a charitable organisation aiming to promote the interoperability and standardisation of Low Power Wide Area Network technologies. Its founding members include IBM, MicroChip, Cisco, Semtech and Swisscom and it currently has more than 500 member companies, guaranteeing a broad ecosystem and good availability of compatible hardware and development systems.
LoRaWAN is now noticeably on the rise in Germany. Ermeling acknowledges the popularity of LPWAN technology: “Since the system is extremely easy to implement and operate, it makes the Internet of Things accessible to everyone. LoRaWAN is also particularly well-suited to making existing systems fit for the future through complete integration into the IoT, including remote and even mobile system components.”
Images: Adobe Stock
