The digitisation of construction sites has brought about exciting technologies such as smart wearable devices, mobile wireless networking and the Internet of Things (IoT).
In this article, we explore the possibilities of automation, gaining new insights and introducing an affordable and efficient solution - LoRaWAN.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN is a low-power wide area network (LPWAN) specification designed for wireless battery-powered devices in regional, national or global networks. Its architecture allows for cost-effective deployment of devices and infrastructure, making it an ideal solution for construction sites. Moreover, LoRaWAN provides robust security measures, ensuring device authentication and employing encryption techniques.
Architecture
A LoRaWAN network follows a star-of-stars topology, with gateways acting as bridges between end devices and a central network server. These gateways facilitate long-distance communication, securely connecting IoT devices to new or existing infrastructure for analysis and reporting. The specification ensures seamless interoperability between different manufacturers, promoting flexible and open solutions.
Security
LoRaWAN incorporates advanced 128-bit AES end-to-end encryption, providing robust security at the network and application layers. It also utilises device authentication using MAC addressing to prevent unauthorised access or tampering of data flow.
