Overview of IOT Networks
There are many choices for transmitting information in between IOT sensing units and a web/ mobile application, through an IoT platform. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. There is no universal solution.
Wired & Short Range wireless networks
The first option is to wire the sensing units. Or utilize short-range wireless networks. However obviously, it does not offer a worldwide scope and is therefore really limiting. In the context of wireless networks, we can point out:
- WIFI: huge consumer of energy, it does not allow a realistic operation on battery, and is not well adjusted to an industrial environment.
- Bluetooth, ZigBee, Z-Wave
M2M-- 2G, 3G, 4G & 5G networks
Until now, when it comes to linking a thing (a device, an automobile ...) to understand its status, its place, or engage with it, the only international service-- a worldwide geographical coverage, national, even global-- included equipping it with a SIM card, and using the GPRS/ 3G network of a telecom operator. The issues of this technology, commonly called M2M (Machine to Machine), are known:
- Pricey devices: challenging to discover a 3G modem for less than 20-30 Euro ...
- Very high energy usage, requiring either a permanent power source (and therefore a wiring) or an effective battery, making the size of the sensing unit incompatible with many use cases
- Large footprint
- A subscription expense, for connectivity, is not unimportant, related to the need for a radio network (antennas operators) is dense and expensive.
LPWAN-- Low Power Wide Location Networks
It is in this context that LPWAN-- Low Power Wide Area Network-- innovations have actually emerged. The goals of this technology are to propose sensors
- Inexpensive-- in the end just a few euros ...
- Little sizes-- a few centimeters away, or less ...
- Can operate on battery, with excellent autonomy (5-10years!).
- Optimized to communicate for really small data rates, for a couple of Euro cents a month.
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