LoRaWAN and Wi-Fi

Normally, LoRaWAN and Wi-Fi are two totally different wireless communication technologies that serve distinct purposes. But I found not everyone is clear about that. So, I made a full comparison between them here.

1. Use Case and Application:

LoRaWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network): LoRaWAN is designed for low-power, long-range communication. It is ideal for connecting battery-powered or energy-efficient devices over long distances. It is commonly used for applications such as remote sensor monitoring, smart agriculture, smart cities, and industrial IoT (Internet of Things) deployments.

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): Wi-Fi is designed for high-speed, short-range communication within local areas. It is commonly used for providing internet connectivity to laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices within homes, businesses, and public places.

2. Transmission Range:

LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN offers long-range communication capabilities, with a range that can extend several kilometers, even in challenging environments with obstacles like buildings and trees.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi typically has a shorter range, usually limited to a few hundred feet or meters, making it best suited for local network access.

3. Data Rate:

LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN provides low data rates, typically in the range of a few kilobits per second. It prioritizes long battery life and range over high data throughput.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi offers much higher data rates, ranging from several megabits to gigabits per second, making it suitable for data-intensive applications like video streaming and large file downloads.

4. Power Consumption:

LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN devices are designed to be extremely power-efficient. They can operate on battery power for extended periods, often several years, due to their low duty cycle and power-saving features.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi devices consume more power, which limits their battery life. Most Wi-Fi devices need a continuous power source, such as a wall outlet.

5. Network Topology:

LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN typically uses a star-of-stars topology with gateways communicating with remote devices. It’s suitable for applications where devices communicate with a centralized network server.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi uses a typical infrastructure mode with access points (routers) providing connectivity to multiple client devices. Devices can communicate with each other directly or through the access points.

6. Spectrum and Regulations:

LoRaWAN: LoRaWAN operates in unlicensed ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) radio bands, which vary by region. It generally offers good interference tolerance.

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi primarily operates in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, and its use is subject to more stringent regulations and potential interference in crowded environments.

In summary, LoRaWAN and Wi-Fi serve different purposes and are designed for different applications. The choice between these technologies depends on the specific needs of the application.

Disclaimer – This post has only been shared for an educational and knowledge-sharing purpose related to Technologies. Information was obtained from the source above source. All rights and credits are reserved for the respective owner(s).

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Source: LinkedIn

Credits: Mr. Eric L.