What is Lora
LoRa technology is a proprietary wireless technology developed by Semtech Corporation. It utilizes a spread spectrum modulation in the Sub-GHz band to enable long coverage, low power consumption (up to 10 years battery power), high network capacity, robust communication, and localization capability.
Communication between end-devices and gateways is spread out on different frequency channels and data rates. The selection of the data rate is a trade-off between communication range and message duration. Due to the spread spectrum technology, communications with different data rates do not interfere with each other and create a set of "virtual" channels increasing the capacity of the gateway.
LoRaWAN data rates range from 0.3 kbps to 50 kbps. To maximize both battery life of the end-devices and overall network capacity, the LoRaWAN network server is managing the data rate and RF output for each end-device individually by means of an adaptive data rate (ADR) scheme.
LoRa Technology
- High capacity
- Long battery life - over 10 years
- Reduced synchronization overhead and no hops in mesh network
- Secured and efficient network
- Long range
- Interference immunity
LoRa network security
The issue of network security is becoming increasingly important. As such LoRa networks require high levels of security to prevent disruption of any systems.
To achieve the required levels of security for LoRa networks, several layers of encryption have been employed:
Unique Network key (EUI64) and ensure security on network level
Unique Application key (EUI64) ensure end to end security on application level
Device specific key (EUI128)
Employing these layers of encryption ensures that the LoRa network remains sufficiently secure.