The Concept of LoRaWAN Gateways for IoT Devices

by Jones David

Sensors, devices, actuators, and gateways leading to varied platforms make up what is referred to as IoT “technology layers.” When dissecting the “Internet of Things,” the first layer will comprise the devices, including actuators and sensors moving forward to the gateways responsible for device management before arriving at the platform.

There are trusted companies that offer IoT LoRawan gateways which are specially set up to provide these products to the industry. These specific “layers” of IoT play a key part in directing the travels so that not only do “things” and devices find their way to connectivity but with building applications working towards a precise goal of either commercial-level IoT or directed to the consumer.

Simply put, IoT or the “Internet of Things” paves the way from the physical realm into the digital platform, and it begins with “things.” The layers, also referred to as the “stack,” are merely a myriad of standards, applications, and technologies. 

These start with the primary connection of items to the internet and move forward to some of the simplest as well as the most complicated applications that use the connections, a matter of communicating and gathering data, and the necessary steps to generate power for the apps.

What Is IoT Technology?

“Internet of Things” or IoT is basically the internet supersized so that billions of devices can connect to it. It allows the physical world and the digital world to come together harmoniously. The way that happens is in a sort of layering effect of technology with sensors, devices, actuators, gateways ultimately culminating in the platforms. Click here to see the “Internet of Things” dissected.

The LoRaWAN Gateway

First, what is LoRaWAN? LoRa or Long Range is an LPWAN (low-power wide-area network) protocol which is a number of radio frequency technologies to wirelessly connect sensors & devices or equipment for the Internet of Things (IoT) in many types of industries.

What are gateways? You could view gateways in a sense as you would devices since these have the capacity for hardware, but in the same vein can either be software or a mix of each. Gateways are available in a range of shapes and forms since they can satisfy a growing list of capabilities evolving from its initial stages of use to where there is more “bundling,” giving greater functionality.

Gateways are a broad layer unto themselves with a multitude of devices, functions, solutions, and technologies. In the simplest of terms, a gateway has a vital role in many capacities. To wrap it in one package, these are an entry for the device layer, the area where the data generates, and the technology center all congregate with a lot more expected from the gateway than any other layer in the stack.

The Devices

These are the “things,” such as the devices, actuators, transducers, sensors, etc. Devices comprise a multitude of forms. You will find objects referred to as “intelligent” or “smart,” while others will merely indicate being “connected.” Some examples are smart home devices, smart bulbs, connected meters, intelligent building elements, and so forth.

When the average person thinks of the term “devices,” they are not looking at the logistics; they consider the equipment they’re using in their personal lives or at work. Today with advances in IoT, there are countless intelligent devices in nearly every industry, making the consumer’s lifestyle much simpler and the work environment more straightforward. Find examples of devices and their applications at https://www.businessinsider.com/internet-of-things-devices-examples/.

The Sensors

A sensor can detect or measure things like heat, moisture, light, motion, or comparable “entities” through the conversion into electrical pulses. All intelligent equipment related to IoT is based on sensors or other variations of transducers for which there are over 100 varied types.

The transducer takes a signal produced in an energy form and converts it to something else. Simply put, sensors can detect disturbances around the IoT device where they’re situated plus around the physical object environment where they’re connected. 

The Actuators

An actuator is, in fact, a transducer and has an extensive history of use. A sensor will detect and send, but the actuator will “act and put into action.” It will receive a signal and then start acting on what it is that needs attention. 

For example, inside your household, a sensor will detect when a person is in one room of the home. On the other hand, the actuator will receive a signal telling it to increase the temperature in that room. You’ll find many actuators as there are sensors and ways to implement them.

The Platform

Platforms fall in with “middleware.” That means that it is between the hardware layers of the devices and gateways and the application and business layers. There are several types (400 varied), and each person usually means a different thing when discussing the topic, making sense because no two are the same. 

Steps are being taken to differentiate and specialize these, but as a relatively general blanket description of what these do, you can say device management. Essentially, the platform will gather data, make sense of the information, and produce suitable services when they are needed.

Final Thought

Technology can prove to be super complex. IoT represents layers of technology bundled together, working cohesively to make our lifestyle convenient and seamless. Trying to understand the intricacies of that functionality can become challenging for people, with some of the average Joe preferring to avoid trying to make sense of it at all. 

For those who prefer to make an attempt, you need to dissect the stack bit by bit to learn each layer separately. The IoT stack serves as a bridge between our physical realm and that of the digital world. The components play a key role in producing the necessary steps to make the applications work.

Without these individual elements, you could not do anything with the devices. There would be no logic behind connecting anything to the internet. These layers comprise the necessary technologies to transfer from an “Internet of Things” device to accomplishing the “smart” goals.

You will find reputable companies which specialize in the varied products mentioned here. When conducting research, these businesses would make the ideal resources to help guide you to a greater sense of understanding.

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