LPWAN Part 6. Unlicensed Vs Licensed LPWANs for IoT: Comparing LoRa, Sigfox, RPMA, NB-IoT & LTE-M.

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Compare Use Cases of Unlicensed (LoRa, Sigfox & RPMA) Vs Licensed (NB-IoT & LTE-M).

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is an emerging wireless communication network designed to facilitate long-range communications at low bit rates among connected devices, such as battery-operated sensors. LPWANs can be divided into two main categories based on the frequency bands they utilize: 1) Unlicensed band LPWANs and 2) Licensed band LPWANs.

Unlicensed LPWAN

Overview: Unlicensed band LPWAN operates in frequency bands that are open for public use without the need for a spectrum license. These bands are governed by regional regulations but typically include frequencies like the 433 MHz, 868 MHz (Europe), 915 MHz (North America) and the 2.4 GHz ISM band globally.

Examples:
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network): A widely adopted unlicensed band LPWAN technology that uses the Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS) modulation technique to achieve long-range communication with low power consumption.
Sigfox: Another popular unlicensed LPWAN technology that uses Ultra Narrowband (UNB) modulation to enable devices to transmit small amounts of data over long distances with very low power consumption.

Advantages:
Lower Costs: No spectrum licensing fees, reducing the overall cost of network deployment and operation.
Ease of Deployment: Easier to set up and deploy due to the unlicensed nature of the spectrum.

Disadvantages:
Interference: Higher risk of interference from other devices and networks operating in the same unlicensed bands.
Regulatory Constraints: Subject to regional regulatory constraints like duty cycle limitations and transmission power limits, which can impact performance and coverage.

Licensed LPWAN

Overview: Licensed band LPWAN operates in frequency bands that require a spectrum license from the regulatory authority. These bands are typically used by mobile network operators (MNOs) and offer a more controlled and interference-free environment.

Examples:
NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things): A licensed LPWAN technology standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), operating in the licensed spectrum used by cellular networks. It offers secure, reliable, and efficient IoT connectivity.
LTE-M (Long Term Evolution for Machines): Another 3GPP standardized technology that leverages the existing LTE infrastructure to provide LPWAN connectivity within the licensed spectrum.

Advantages:
Quality of Service (QoS): Licensed spectrum ensures a higher level of QoS with less interference and better reliability.
Security: Better security features due to controlled and regulated access to the spectrum.
Integration with Cellular Networks: Can leverage existing cellular infrastructure, facilitating easier integration and broader coverage.

Disadvantages:
Cost: Higher costs due to spectrum licensing fees and potentially higher service fees from MNOs.
Complexity: Deployment and management can be more complex, requiring coordination with MNOs and adherence to stricter regulatory requirements.

Unlicensed LPWAN (RPMA)
Random Phase Multiple Access (RPMA) is a wireless communication technology used primarily in low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs). Developed by Ingenu, it is designed to enable connectivity for the Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Here are the key aspects of RPMA:
Random Phase: RPMA uses random phase shifts in the transmitted signals to allow multiple devices to share the same frequency spectrum. This helps in minimizing interference and enhancing network capacity.
Multiple Access: This refers to the ability of multiple devices to access the network simultaneously. RPMA achieves this through a combination of spread spectrum and random phase techniques, which ensure that even with high device density, communication remains reliable.
Low Power Consumption: RPMA is optimized for low power consumption, making it suitable for battery-operated IoT devices that need to function for extended periods without frequent battery replacements.

Wide Coverage: RPMA provides extensive coverage, often much larger than traditional cellular networks. This is beneficial for IoT applications in remote or hard-to-reach areas.
High Capacity: The technology supports a large number of devices per network, making it ideal for massive IoT deployments where many devices need to be connected and managed efficiently.
Robustness and Reliability: RPMA's use of spread spectrum techniques makes it robust against interference and multipath fading, which are common challenges in wireless communications. This ensures a reliable connection even in challenging environments.
Scalability: RPMA networks can be easily scaled up as the number of connected devices grows, without significant degradation in performance.