LoRaWAN is a new global standard for low power consumption, wide area network (LPWAN) communications developed by LoRa Alliance. LPWAN allows batteries used more than 10 years. In many areas where is strictly cost control, such as agriculture, smart cities, meter reading, etc., low power consumption makes large-scale deployment of the Internet of Things possible. LoRa modules price about 20 yuan and cost nothing. LoRaWAN is supported by major network operators worldwide, including Orange, Comcast, NTT, Softbank, Proximus, KPN, Swisscom, etc.

 
Geolocation and object tracking are one of the main use cases of the Internet of Things

LoRaWAN provides a variety of geolocation services: Based on network and GPS. Web-based geolocation is the lowest cost option. It applies to any device with a LoRa transceiver, reducing the list of materials including batteries to less than 5USD.

LoRaWAN networks are in most cities, operators provide macro diversity of five stations, or even more. The technology is most suitable for agricultural applications, park or forest monitoring, and digitization of major engineering projects: Because it is very cheap to cover vast areas such as nature reserves with the LoRaWAN base station in the 15 km + range. Applications include irrigation control, fire protection, protection of endangered species, asset tracking of open-pit mines and large construction projects, etc.

 
In the most advanced LoRaWAN tracking implementation, a new form of AGPS is used to ensure low fixed time and low CPU and communication traffic.

 
In the future, we will use multi-mode positioning. The best commercial trackers can use network-based and optimized GPS-based geolocation. Last but not important, Bluetooth low power consumption (BLE) beacon signals can be used to locate devices within tens of meters. Through the bidirectional characteristics of LoRaWAN network and the logic on the tracker, it can dynamically switch between these multiple location modes.

This advanced multi-mode tracker will soon realize the end-to-end digitization of logistics industry. Goods will no longer be tracked only at defined checkpoints, but tracked continuously. The new TCO level enabled by LoRaWAN means that digital pallets are about to become a reality. These new digital pallets can not only reduce losses, but also provide new high-quality transportation. For marginal cost increases, trackers can also continuously monitor temperature, impact, etc. Providing support for the environmental standards, health and optimized insurance policies.