The rapid development of the Internet of Things puts forward higher requirements for wireless communication technology. The LPWAN (low-power Wide-Area Network) is also rapidly emerging.
IoT applications need to consider many factors, such as node costs, network costs, battery life, data transmission rate (throughput), latency, mobility, network coverage, and deployment types. It can be said that no single technology can meet all IoT requirements demands.
NB-IoT and LoRa have different technical and commercial characteristics and are also the two most promising low-power wide-area network communication technologies.
Both of these LPWAN technologies have the characteristics of wide coverage, multiple connections, low speed, low cost, and low power consumption. Both are suitable for low-power IoT applications and are actively expanding their ecosystems.
IoT communication technology
There are many wireless communication technologies for the Internet of Things, which are mainly divided into two categories. One is short-distance communication technologies such as Zigbee, WiFi, Bluetooth, and Z-wave; the other is LPWAN, that is, wide-area network communication technology.
LPWA can be divided into two categories, one is Lora, SigFox, and other technologies that work in the unlicensed spectrum; the other is 2/3/4G cellular communication technologies that work in the licensed spectrum and are supported by 3GPP, such as EC-GSM, LTE Cat-m, NB-IoT, etc.
Lora and NB-IoT are both low-power wide-area IoT technologies and are currently two mainstream technology genres in China.
NB-IoT VS Lora Technology
What is Lora?
Lora (Long Range) is an ultra-long-distance wireless transmission scheme based on spread spectrum technology adopted and promoted by Semtech in the United States.
This solution changes the previous compromise between transmission distance and power consumption and provides users with a simple system that can achieve long-distance, low-power, and large-capacity, and expand the sensor network.
The LoRa network is mainly composed of four parts: terminal (with built-in LoRa module), Lora gateway (or base station), server and cloud, and application data can be transmitted in both directions.
What is NB-IoT?
NB-IoT (Narrow Band-Internet of Things, Narrow Band-Internet of Things) is a technical standard defined by the 3GPP standardization organization. It is a narrow-band radiofrequency technology designed for the Internet of Things that can be widely used worldwide. Using the license frequency band, three deployment methods, including an in-band, guard band, or an independent carrier, can be adapted to coexist with existing networks.
NB-IoT VS LoRa frequency bands
NB-IoT uses licensed frequency bands and has three deployment methods: independent deployment, guardband deployment, and in-band deployment. The mainstream frequency bands in the world are 800MHz and 900MHz.
China Telecom will deploy NB-IoT in the 800MHz frequency band, while China Unicom will choose 900MHz to deploy NB-IoT, and China Mobile may replant the existing 900MHz frequency band.
Lora uses the unlicensed ISM frequency band, but the usage of the ISM frequency band in different countries or regions is different.
In the Chinese market, the China LoRa Application Alliance (CLAA) led by ZTE recommends 470-518MHz. The 470-510MHz frequency band is used by radio metering instruments.
Since LoRa works in the unlicensed frequency band, network construction can be carried out without application. The network architecture is simple and the operating cost is low.
The LoRa Alliance is vigorously promoting the standardized LoRaWAN protocol around the world so that devices that comply with the LoRaWAN specification can be interconnected.
NB-IoT VS Lora communication distance
NB-IoT communication distance
The signal coverage of the mobile network depends on the base station density and link budget.
NB-IoT has a link budget of 164dB, GPRS has a link budget of 144dB (TR 45.820), and LTE is 142.7dB (TR 36.888).
Compared with GPRS and LTE, the NB-IoT link budget has been increased by 20dB, and the signal coverage of the open environment can be increased by seven times.
20dB is equivalent to the loss of the signal penetrating the outer wall of the building, and the signal coverage of the NB-IoT indoor environment is relatively good. Generally speaking, the communication distance of NB-IoT is 15km.
Lora communication distance
Lora provides a maximum link budget of 168dB and a power output of +20dBm with its unique patented technology. The wireless distance range is 1~2 kilometers in the city, and the wireless distance can reach up to 20km in the suburbs.
NB-IoT VS LoRa cost
No matter how powerful the LPWAN protocol is, its low cost needs to be considered, otherwise it cannot be a viable IoT solution.
Lora has an advantage in this regard. The overall cost of the LoRaWAN module is around US$8-10, which is about half of the price of cellular LTE modules such as NB-IoT.
The complexity of the NB-IoT network is high, and the intellectual property-related (in terms of an authorized frequency band) costs are higher, which increases the total cost of NB-IoT. Upgrading NB-IoT to advanced 4G / LTE base stations is more expensive than LoRa deployment through industrial gateways or tower-top gateways. As the market becomes more mature, the cost of LoRa technology is expected to drop further.
NB-IoT VS LoRa applications
Examples of NB-IoT applications
(1) Shared bicycles: wide distribution, low unit density, suitable for relying on the operator’s network;
(2) Smart meter reading: The owner does not have a high collection frequency, does not have high requirements for network availability, and does not want to consider self-built base stations
(3) Water accumulation/pipe network monitoring: wide distribution, low unit density;
(4) Universal wearable series: The terminals are distributed throughout the urban area, which is suitable for relying on the operator’s network;
(5) Smart parking: The geomagnetic vehicle detector developed for Small and Light Stops uses geomagnetism to induce changes in the magnetic field to determine vehicle entry and exit. The uplink and downlink wireless links use the NB-IoT standard, complete the docking with OneNET, and support the parking platform application of the 5G Joint Creation Laboratory.
Examples of Lora applications
(1) Smart meter reading: The owner has high requirements for collection frequency and needs to do data analysis, and has high requirements for network availability;
(2) Road parking detector: The collection frequency is high, but there are certain requirements for the terminal life;
(3) Fields in the suburbs, such as mining, extractive industry, suburban heavy industry, etc.
(4) Regional centralized type: For example, users in universities, general education, and parks want to build a private network to manage their own facilities and applications.
NB-IoT VS Lora in conclusion
Both NB-IoT and LoRa are still in the initial stage of development and require input and common development from all parties. When large-scale deployment becomes a reality, the cost of NB-IoT and LoRa modules will naturally be further reduced.
As far as technical solutions are concerned, in a short time, NB-IoT and LoRa will definitely be parallel, with common points, advantages, and disadvantages.
If it is affected by factors other than the technical solution, such as the innovation of profit models, the close integration with the application industry, and the use of industry influence, then any result is possible.
In this new wave of the development of the Internet of Things, the first to land the project, there is a chance to win the first step. NB-IoT and LoRa need not only product innovation but also project application innovation.
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