With the rapid development of the Internet of Things (IoT), cities now have new opportunities to become smart—and their managers are beginning to recognize and embrace the potential of big data. The main goals of a smart city include: Improving overall performance, optimizing resources, reducing waste, dealing with increasing amounts of household and other waste sustainably, consumption and running costs, and most importantly, improving the quality of life for its inhabitants. With the help of LoRa and LoRaWAN technologies, public services could be commissioned and implemented with greater precision. Let’s see why LoRaWAN networks could be the ideal solution for smart cities.
Understanding the LoRaWAN Specification
According to a definition by LoRa Alliance, “the LoRaWAN specification is a Low Power, Wide Area (LPWA) networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery operated ‘things’ to the internet in regional, national or global networks. LoRaWAN network architecture is deployed in a star-of-stars topology in which gateways relay messages between end-devices and a central network server. The gateways are connected to the network server via standard IP connections and act as a transparent bridge, simply converting RF packets to IP packets and vice versa. The wireless communication takes advantage of the Long Range characteristics of the LoRaÒ physical layer, allowing a single-hop link between the end-device and one or many gateways.”
A generic LoRaWAN architecture usually consists of Nodes (the elements of the LoRa network that monitor and control connected sensors and devices), LoRa Gateway (the gateway through which it receives data from nodes via the LoRaWAN protocol and then transfers it over the Internet to the network server), the network server (manages the network) and the application server (ensures that the data from the nodes can be accessed and displayed in such a way as to provide the most relevant information).
Building a Smart City by Using LoRa and LoRaWAN Protocols
LoRaWAN has a similar architecture to cellular networks, but it was designed as an alternative to 2G or 3G cellular connectivity in projects where greater coverage and low data throughput are required for devices with increased power autonomy. This type of network meets key requirements in IoT projects: Two-way communication, full security, mobility, and location-based services. Setting up a LoRaWAN network is the solution to many of the challenges faced by smart communities.
The smart cities and communities who adopt the global LoRaWAN standard will be able to provide two-way communications with a 15 km radio coverage and lower power consumption. It is also worth noting that LoRaWAN has a battery life of 15 years. Another benefit is the fact that LoRaWAN technology uses unlicensed industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) radio bands for low-cost network deployments. The open LoRaWAN standard—combined with license-free operating frequencies and low-cost base stations—will allow networks to be deployed in just a few months with minimal investment.
Use of LoRaWAN in Smart Cities
Each community will use the network for surveillance and monitoring, collecting data from electricity meters, street lighting, parking sensors, condition monitoring equipment, air quality stations, sewage, smart water metering, community infrastructure planning, management, and schools. This platform will also allow parks, gardens, and sports fields to be irrigated and monitored optimally.
An IoT asset tracking solution can also detect open windows or doors and will send alerts when smoke and fire emissions are noticed. Finally, by using LoRaWAN technologies, supervisors can manage energy consumption and power failures more efficiently. By using intelligent lighting systems, cities could also provide safer environments for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.
The LoRaWAN network can be set up by creating a SaaS platform which will provide access to connectivity and a suite of tools and applications—including a self-testing capability to support an integration of solutions.
How Secure Is the Network Architecture?
According to a LoRaWAN security whitepaper, “The LoRaWAN security design adheres to state-of-the-art principles: use of standard, well-vetted algorithms, and end-to-end security. LoRaWAN MAC and application messaging are origin authenticated, integrity protected, replay protected, and encrypted. This protection, combined with mutual authentication, ensures that network traffic has not been altered, is coming from a legitimate device, is not comprehensible to eavesdroppers and has not been captured and replayed by rogue actors.”
Conclusion
LoRaWAN networks could be the ideal solution for smart cities because of their strong security, low deployment cost, and affordable maintenance. It has excellent radio coverage and good redundancy, and deploying sensors in large numbers is not a major issue. LoRaWAN will allow cities to have full control of network and data—offering state-of-the-art network management tools and high quality service.
