LoRa and LoRaWAN are two related but different concepts, covering the physical layer communication technology and network protocol layer respectively.
LoRa (Long Range)
LoRa is a modulation technology for achieving long-distance, low-power, low-data-rate wireless communication. It mainly involves the physical layer and link layer, suitable for simple point-to-point or point-to-multipoint communication.
Key features of LoRa
Physical layer technology: LoRa is mainly a physical layer technology that defines how data is transmitted on the radio spectrum.
Modulation method: Uses spread spectrum modulation (Chirp Spread Spectrum, CSS), which has high sensitivity and anti-interference ability.
Long-distance transmission: Up to 15 kilometers in open environments, generally 2-5 kilometers in urban environments.
Low power consumption: Suitable for battery-powered devices, with a battery life of up to several years.
Low data rate: Suitable for applications that periodically send small amounts of data, such as sensor data.
LoRa operates in free frequency bands such as 433MHz, 868MHz, and 915MHz. Compared with traditional FSK technology and short-range RF technology with insufficient security and stability, LoRa based on CSS modulation technology greatly increases the communication range while maintaining low power consumption.
Related article: LoRa Module Main Frequencies: 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 915 MH
LoRaWAN（Long Range Wide Area Network）
LoRaWAN is a network protocol built on LoRa technology for managing large-scale IoT device networks. It involves the data link layer and the network layer, and is suitable for application scenarios that require large-scale device management and secure data transmission.
Related article：What is LoRaWAN module? Detailed Guide to LoRaWAN Modules
Key features of LoRaWAN
Network layer protocol: LoRaWAN is a complete network protocol that covers the data link layer, network layer, and application layer.
Network topology: Using a star topology, devices communicate with the central server through a gateway. The gateway acts as a relay node and forwards device data to the network server.
Security: Provides end-to-end encryption and device authentication to ensure the security of data transmission.
Adaptive Data Rate (ADR): Dynamically adjusts the data rate to optimize network capacity and device battery life.
Device management: includes device registration, network authentication, data transmission, and network management.
LoRa vs. LoRaWAN Comparison
The following is a comparison table of LoRa and LoRaWAN, listing their differences in different aspects:
| Features | LoRa | LoRaWAN |
| Definition | A modulation technique used primarily for physical layer and link layer communications | A network protocol and system architecture for data link layer and network layer |
| Main purpose | Enables long-distance, low-power data transmission | Manage and coordinate communication and data transmission of a large number of LoRa devices |
| Level | Physical layer and link layer | Data link layer and network layer |
| Modulation method | Spread spectrum modulation (CSS) | Based on LoRa technology |
| Topology | Point-to-point or point-to-multipoint | Star topology, devices communicate with the server through gateways |
| Transmission distance | Up to 15 km in open environments, 2-5 km in urban environments | Same as LoRa, with a larger range covered by gateways |
| Data rate | Low (hundreds of bps to a few kbps) | Low to medium (depending on configuration and network conditions) |
| Power consumption | Very low, suitable for battery-powered devices | Very low, network protocol optimizes device battery life |
| Security | Reliant on application layer implementation | Provides end-to-end encryption and device authentication |
| Adaptive data rate (ADR) | Not supported | Supports, dynamically adjusts data rate to optimize network capacity and battery life |
| Device management | Device management functions not included | Provides device registration, network authentication and data management functions |
| Typical applications | Simple sensor communications, such as environmental monitoring, agricultural monitoring | Smart city, smart agriculture, industrial Internet of Things, environmental monitoring, etc. |
| Protocol standard | Not involved | Defined and maintained by the LoRa Alliance |
The combination of LoRa and LoRaWAN enables IoT applications to achieve efficient and low-power data communication over a wide area to meet the needs of different scenarios.
