IoT and LoRaWAN Knowledge Base

A LoRaWAN gateway acts as an intermediary between LoRaWAN end devices and a network server or IoT platform. It receives radio transmissions from sensors and forwards the data using an available connection, such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi or a cellular network.

Available solutions can be found in the LoRaWAN Gateways category.

End devices transmit data wirelessly over the LoRaWAN network. Gateways within range receive the transmission and forward it to the network server and then to a platform or application where the data can be displayed and processed.

Radio communication between a LoRaWAN device and a gateway does not itself require Internet access. A network connection is usually required to transfer data from the gateway to an external server, cloud service or IoT platform. In a properly designed system, some functions can also be performed locally.

More communication-related devices can be found in the Data Transmission category.

LTE connectivity is useful in locations without access to a fixed Ethernet network or where an independent Internet connection is required. It can also be used as an additional communication method in systems requiring increased reliability.

Indoor gateways are designed for use in protected environments such as offices, schools, production halls or warehouses. For outdoor installations, a device with a design and protection rating suitable for the environmental conditions and installation location should be selected.

Selected LoRaWAN gateway models support PoE, allowing data transmission and power supply to be provided through a single Ethernet cable. PoE support and the required power standard should always be checked in the specification of the specific device.

Network infrastructure and power supply components can also be found in the Networking and Power Supply category.

LoRaWAN range depends on many factors, including terrain, building construction, obstacles, antenna installation location, device parameters and interference levels. For this reason, larger deployments should be preceded by a range analysis or test in the actual operating environment.

The actual number of supported devices depends on the gateway model, network configuration, transmission frequency, amount of transmitted data and required reliability. For larger deployments, the number and placement of gateways should be selected for the specific project.

When selecting a gateway, it is worth defining the installation location, number and placement of devices, required range, Internet access method, available power supply, environmental conditions and the method of integration with a platform or another system.

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Depending on the devices used, an IoT system can monitor parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, CO2, pressure, liquid and material levels, energy and water consumption, room or parking space occupancy, as well as many other technical and environmental parameters.

Devices intended for such applications can be found in the Measurement category.

Battery life depends on the specific device, battery type and capacity, measurement and transmission frequency, radio connection quality and operating temperature. It should therefore be evaluated based on the manufacturer's specification and the planned device configuration.

The reporting frequency depends on the device and its configuration. A shorter interval provides more frequent data updates but may increase power consumption and network traffic. The transmission frequency should be matched to the nature of the monitored process.

Radio signals can penetrate some building partitions, but concrete, metal, thick walls and infrastructure elements can significantly reduce range. Actual transmission conditions are best verified directly at the planned installation site.

In potentially explosive atmospheres, devices with the appropriate approvals and design for the specific zone and operating conditions must be used. A standard IoT sensor should not be used as a substitute for a device designed for operation in ATEX/Ex zones.

Yes, provided that the architecture, devices and software used allow data to be transferred to a controller, platform or local control logic. The implementation method depends, among other things, on the required response time, reliability and available communication protocols.

For integration with control systems, it is also worth checking the Automation and Infrastructure category.

First of all, you should define the parameter to be measured, the required range and accuracy, environmental conditions, installation method, power supply, measurement frequency and the required communication and system integration method.

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LoRaWAN works well in systems with many devices transmitting relatively small amounts of data and requiring low power consumption. LTE enables direct communication through a cellular network and may be a better solution where the device requires its own Internet connection.

Solutions using different communication methods can be found in the Data Transmission category.

These are different methods of connecting the gateway to the rest of the infrastructure. Ethernet provides wired transmission, Wi-Fi enables the use of a local wireless network, while LTE enables communication through a mobile operator's network.

Many devices, gateways and platforms support popular communication standards such as MQTT or Modbus. However, the range of supported functions depends on the specific device, so its interfaces, protocols and method of data access should be checked before integration.

Integration is possible if the devices or platform provide an appropriate protocol, API or another data exchange layer. The project should define the communication method, direction of information flow and requirements regarding update frequency and reliability.

Solutions from the Automation and Infrastructure category may also be used in such implementations.

No. Real-world deployments often combine several technologies. Sensors can communicate via LoRaWAN, automation devices via Modbus, while data can be transferred to higher-level systems using MQTT or an API, for example.

Consider distances, the amount of data transmitted, device power supply, availability of network infrastructure, environmental conditions and the required system response time.

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The ITS Platform includes IoT Solution solutions designed for collecting, integrating, processing, presenting and using data from IoT devices and automation systems.

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Edge computing means processing some data as close as possible to the devices and monitored process instead of sending all information directly to an external cloud. This can reduce latency, the amount of transmitted data and dependency on an external connection.

The system architecture can include local data collection and processing. However, the range of functions available without connection to external services depends on the specific configuration, required integrations and implementation assumptions.

The ITS Edge Box is a hardware component of the ITS solution designed to operate close to the data source. It can act as a local integration and computing node between devices, automation systems and higher-level systems.

Hardware designed for this system layer can be found in the ITS Cabinets and Hardware category.

Both solutions belong to the ITS hardware layer but are intended for different deployment methods. Choosing the appropriate variant depends on the installation location, required devices, installation conditions and the architecture of the entire system.

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First, it is worth determining what is to be measured or controlled, where the devices are located, how often data is required, who will use it and which existing systems the solution needs to work with.

A good starting point may be the ready-made IoT solutions prepared by IoT Solution.

Useful information includes the type of parameter being measured, measurement range, installation location and conditions, available power supply, required data interval, distances, network access and integration requirements.

Yes. IoT Solution's ready-made solutions provide a starting point for a specific application, while devices, communication methods and system configuration can be adapted to the requirements of a specific site or project.

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For larger, unusual or demanding deployments, testing in the actual operating environment can help verify range, measurement conditions, integration methods and system behaviour before further expansion.

Consider distances, the amount of transmitted data, power supply method, network availability, environmental conditions and required response time. Based on these factors, technologies such as Ethernet, Wi-Fi, LoRaWAN and cellular communication can be compared.

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An HMI panel allows an operator to monitor the status of a machine or process, display data and alarms, and perform available control functions. The panel communicates with the automation system using supported interfaces and protocols.

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Even properly selected sensors and a platform require stable data transmission. Network design should take into account availability, reliability, bandwidth, environmental conditions and the method of connection to automation and higher-level systems.

Devices for building network infrastructure can be found in the Networking and Power Supply category.

A stable and properly selected power supply affects the reliability of the entire system. When designing the system, device parameters, installation method, required protection and any need for redundancy or backup power should be taken into account.

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In many cases, this is possible without rebuilding the entire infrastructure from scratch. The scope of integration depends on the available interfaces, protocols, network architecture and whether the data is only to be read or also used for control.

More components for such applications can be found in the Automation and Infrastructure category.

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