AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN

Connect, manage, and secure LoRaWAN devices at scale

Benefits

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN eliminates the undifferentiated development work and operational burden required to set up and manage an LNS and associated infrastructure. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN manages your device and gateway connections to the cloud, accelerating the network set-up time.

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN supports open-source gateway-LNS protocol software called LoRa Basics Station which simplifies gateway management at scale. The IoT Core for LoRaWAN gateway qualification program enables customers to source pre-tested LoRaWAN gateways and developer kits that meet the required LoRa Basics Station specification. Customers can also buy any off-the-shelf sensor or actuator compliant with LoRaWAN specification 1.0.x or 1.1 and connect it to AWS IoT Core without any requirement to modify embedded software. This creates a plug-and-play experience that reduces the device on-boarding friction.

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN has built-in integration with AWS IoT Core Rules Engine so device data (uplink) is automatically routed and transformed according to preset rules. This streamlines the process for application developers to translate proprietary LoRaWAN binary messages, so device data can be more easily integrated with cloud services. IoT Core for LoRaWAN also enables you to send application messages to your devices (downlink) using APIs. It also reduces the need to provide technical assistance to internal teams building applications on top of IoT Core for LoRaWAN.

With transparent, pay-as-you-go pricing with no monthly commitments, you can cost-effectively and reliably scale your LoRaWAN device fleets.

Capabilities

LoRaWAN gateway connectivity

Gateways serve as a bridge and carry LoRaWAN device data to and from a network server, usually over high-bandwidth networks like Wi-fi, Ethernet, or Cellular. The LoRa Basics Station—an open-source software maintained by Semtech Corporation and distributed via their GitHub repository—running on your gateway is a prerequisite for connecting your gateway to AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN supports LoRa Basics Station version 2.0.4 and above. LoRa Basics™ Station contains two sub protocols for connecting gateways to network servers, LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) and Configuration and Update Server (CUPS) protocols. The LNS protocol establishes a data connection between a LoRa Basics Station compatible gateway and a network server. LoRa uplink and downlink messages are exchanged through this data connection. The CUPS protocol enables remote configuration and firmware update of gateways. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN provides both LNS and CUPS endpoints for LoRaWAN data ingestion and remote gateway management respectively.

LoRaWAN device connectivity

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN supports all devices that comply to the 1.0.x or 1.1 LoRaWAN specifications standardized by LoRa Alliance. Before a LoRaWAN device can start sending data to a network server, a process called activation or join procedure is required. IoT Core for LoRaWAN supports both of the approved ways of device activation as specified by LoRa Alliance: OTAA (Over the air activation) and ABP (Activation by personalization).

LoRaWAN devices can send uplink (device-to-cloud) messages at any time. However, listening for downlinks (cloud-to-device) messages can consume battery capacity and reduce a battery’s lifetime. To support a variety of application requirements with different trade-offs between listening behavior and battery consumption, the LoRaWAN protocol supports three classes of devices (A, B, C). IoT Core for LoRaWAN supports all the three classes. Lastly, IoT Core for LoRaWAN also supports device profiles so that you can define device data rates, channels, and other settings which will be used when the IoT Core for LoRaWAN network server communicates with the device.

LoRaWAN gateway and device monitoring

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN provides you visibility into your network health with device and gateway metrics, and enables you to troubleshoot connectivity issues with your devices and gateways. You can query gateway connection status, device status, and receive LoRaWAN network metadata with uplink messages. The metadata included in the device uplink provides network attributes including data rate, frequency, spreading factor, and frame counter of each received message. The metadata also includes the signal strength and signal to noise ratio of the message as received by the gateway through which the device routes the message. When AWS IoT logging is enabled, AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN sends events about your devices and gateways to CloudWatch Logs. This enables you to troubleshoot issues related to device or gateway provisioning, as well as uplink or downlink events.

Supported frequency bands

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN customers can use US902-928, EU863-870, AS923-1 or AU915 frequency bands to connect LoRaWAN gateways and devices that are physically present in countries that support the frequency ranges and characteristics of these respective bands. US902-928 and EU863-870 bands are commonly used in the North America and European regions respectively. AS923-1 is commonly used in Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, and Taiwan among other countries. AU915 is commonly used in Argentina, Chile, and other South American countries. The LoRa Alliance publishes the LoRa Alliance Regional Parameters to help companies decide which frequency bands to use in their region or country. The frequency band implementation for AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN follows the recommendations in this regional parameters specification document. These regional parameters are grouped into a set of radio parameters along with a frequency allocation that is adapted to the Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) Band. We recommend customers work with their compliance teams or consult with local regulatory bodies to ensure they meet any applicable regulatory requirements.

Application development

AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN has a built-in integration with AWS IoT Core Rules Engine so device data can be automatically routed and transformed according to preset rules. This streamlines the process for application developers to translate proprietary LoRaWAN binary messages, so device data can be more easily integrated with cloud services. For downlink communication, AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN also supports sending command and control messages from the cloud application to the device.

Use cases

Industrial customers need to monitor the performance of equipment to ensure it is operating effectively and to predict when it requires maintenance to avoid costly equipment issues and reduce gaps in production. Long-range connectivity has deep in-building penetration suitable for industrial facilities. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN can be used to connect these devices to the cloud and AWS IoT services, like AWS IoT SiteWise.

Real estate property owners and managers of commercial and residential buildings are increasingly deploying automation and remote monitoring solutions, ranging from lighting control, motion sensors or temperature monitors. These smart building solutions often require long-range connectivity to transmit device data through multiple thick walls and ceilings. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN can be used to connect these sensors and actuators to the cloud and integrate them into smart building applications.

Industrial customers need to monitor the performance of equipment to ensure it is operating effectively and to predict when it requires maintenance to avoid costly equipment issues and reduce gaps in production. Long-range connectivity has deep in-building penetration suitable for industrial facilities. AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN can be used to connect these devices to the cloud and AWS IoT services, like AWS IoT SiteWise.

Customers

  • Compliance Mate

    Compliance Mate uses AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN to connect temperature sensors in restaurant refrigeration and freezer units to ensure customer food safety, reduce risk of food perishing, and enable its customers to monitor and maintain compliance with food safety regulations. 

  • CrisisGo

    CrisisGo uses AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN to address school leadership safety concerns, including compliance with the Alyssa’s Law mandate, by offering the affordable and easy-to-use physical Safety OneClick wireless panic button offering. Safety OneClick extends a school’s and organization’s safety plans to any location by letting individuals in distress get help at the click of a button. Learn more about the solution.

  • Quext

     

    Quext uses AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN to connect smart thermostats and door locks for tenants in residential buildings to improve building safety and lower utility costs. 

ADTRAN
Browan
Dragino
Kerlink
Laird
Multitech
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SEMTECH
TEKTELIC

LoRa Alliance certification

Using LoRaWAN CertifiedCM end devices help AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN customers reduce development effort, improve interoperability, simplify deployment, and provide reliable performance with AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN. This can result in faster and easier ways to scale your business on AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN, while supporting a broad range of use cases with significant cost savings potential.

To get LoRaWAN Certified, go to https://lora-alliance.org/lorawan-certification/.

LoRaWAN is a mark used under license from the LoRa Alliance.