3.2 Medium-Range Wireless Technologies (Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN)

Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN are key players in IoT connectivity, each with unique strengths. Wi-Fi offers high bandwidth and low latency, perfect for data-heavy applications in homes and offices. LoRaWAN shines in long-range, low-power scenarios, ideal for remote sensing and tracking.

These technologies bridge the gap between devices and the broader network. Wi-Fi connects smart appliances locally, while LoRaWAN enables large-scale IoT networks. Both play crucial roles in creating smart homes, cities, and industrial systems, driving the IoT revolution forward.

Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN Comparison

Wi-Fi vs LoRaWAN characteristics

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• Range
  • Wi-Fi typically covers short to medium distances up to 100 meters (home networks) but range can be extended using multiple access points or mesh networks (enterprise networks)
  • LoRaWAN designed for long-range communication up to 10-15 kilometers in rural areas (agricultural monitoring) but range depends on factors such as environment, antenna height, and line of sight (urban vs rural)
• Bandwidth
  • Wi-Fi offers high bandwidth typically ranging from 11 Mbps (802.11b) to 9.6 Gbps (802.11ax) suitable for applications requiring high data transfer rates (video streaming, file transfer)
  • LoRaWAN provides low bandwidth typically around 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps designed for applications that send small amounts of data periodically (sensor readings, asset tracking)
• Power consumption
  • Wi-Fi consumes more power compared to LoRaWAN so devices need to be recharged or connected to a power source more frequently (smartphones, laptops)
  • LoRaWAN designed for low power consumption allowing devices to operate on battery power for several years (remote sensors, smart meters)

Role of Medium-Range Wireless Technologies in IoT

Medium-range wireless in IoT connectivity

• Medium-range wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi and LoRaWAN allow IoT devices to connect to local networks and the internet providing a communication link between devices and the broader network infrastructure (smart homes, industrial IoT)
• Wi-Fi commonly used to connect IoT devices to local networks such as home or office networks enabling devices to communicate with each other and share data within the local network (smart appliances, security systems)
• Medium-range wireless technologies enable IoT devices to connect to the internet through gateways or access points allowing devices to send and receive data to/from cloud platforms and remote servers (remote monitoring, data analytics)
• Medium-range wireless technologies support the deployment of large-scale IoT networks enabling the connection of numerous devices across a wide area (smart cities, environmental monitoring)

Components of LoRaWAN networks

• End nodes
  • IoT devices equipped with LoRa transceivers that collect sensor data or perform specific tasks (temperature sensors, motion detectors)
  • Transmit data to gateways using LoRa modulation which is a proprietary spread spectrum modulation technique that enables long-range communication with low power consumption
• Gateways
  • Receive data from end nodes and forward it to the network server acting as a bridge between the LoRaWAN network and the internet
  • Connect to the internet via Ethernet, cellular, or Wi-Fi depending on the deployment scenario and available infrastructure
  • Can handle thousands of end nodes simultaneously making them suitable for large-scale IoT deployments (smart cities, industrial facilities)
• Network server
  • Central component that manages the entire LoRaWAN network and acts as a mediator between the gateways and the application servers
  • Processes and stores data received from gateways performing tasks such as device authentication, security management, and data routing
• Application server
  • Receives data from the network server and processes it for specific applications based on user requirements and business logic
  • Provides interfaces for end-users to interact with and visualize the data such as web portals, mobile apps, or APIs for integration with other systems

Advantages of Wi-Fi for IoT

• High bandwidth
  • Wi-Fi offers high data transfer rates making it suitable for applications that generate or consume large amounts of data (video surveillance, high-resolution sensors)
  • Enables real-time streaming, video surveillance, and high-resolution data collection which are crucial for applications like security systems and industrial monitoring
• Low latency
  • Wi-Fi provides low latency communication minimizing the delay between data transmission and reception (real-time control systems)
  • Crucial for applications that require real-time control such as industrial automation (robotics, machine control) and gaming (virtual reality, online gaming)
• Widespread adoption
  • Wi-Fi is widely adopted and supported by a vast range of devices from consumer electronics to industrial equipment
  • Allows easy integration of IoT devices into existing Wi-Fi networks reducing deployment costs and simplifying network management
• Interoperability
  • Wi-Fi is based on the IEEE 802.11 standards ensuring interoperability between devices from different manufacturers
  • Enables seamless communication and data exchange within the IoT ecosystem promoting collaboration and innovation among device manufacturers and service providers