Which solution you should choose to deploy your IoT network. LoRa, Sigfox, LTE-M are very similar in nature and functionality, which can confuse you during the decision-making process.

1. LTE-M
Sigfox
LoRa
Which of them
is better for your IoT
network?

2. LTE-M provides powerful,
low-latency communications
for high-performance IoT uses.
LTE-M
zz Choosing LTE-M is the easiest but also the most
expensive way when compared to SigFOX and LoRa.
zz It’s necessary to establish a rate, pricing and SIM
card for each device deployed to your network.
zz Deploying a new technology requires time and
increasing LTE coverage will be gradual.
It has a large coverage area.
It’s provided by local communications companies.
The main advantage
Standard is
still in the
research
stage and
promises
deployment
at the end
of 2018.

3. Sigfox has been designed
especially for devices
with a low level of data transfer.
Sigfox
zz By choosing SigFox it is recommended that you
check whether 868 Mhz or 915 Mhz frequency is
allowed for unlicensed usage and also check the noise
rate and usage by other devices. This is necessary
to prevent collisions between nearby networks and
guarantee stable wireless connections.
It is on an entirely separate
network of IoT devices.
The main advantage
Offers
a smaller
coverage
area than
LTE-M.

4. The estimated data corruption in bit error rate vs environment noise level
(transmitter power remains unchanged):
Sigfox
Packets retransmission will increase the power consumption of the device
and on-air time and delays as well as slow down your system in general.
Also, SigFox has an asymmetrical link. It means that uploads are more
powerful than downloads and it creates the possibility of collecting data from
large numbers of end nodes, but reverse communication is much worse.
A large noise
level causes
packets loss.

5. LoRa balances between data rate,
coverage and system power consumption
thanks to chirp spread spectrum modulation.
LoRa
zz In the case of choosing LoRa you can be at ease
about available frequencies because it works at a
wide range of unlicensed bands: 466/866/915 Mhz.
At least one of these frequencies will be available
for unlicensed usage in your country.
Hybrid environments
with a custom MAC layer deployment.
The main advantage It provides
an entirely
separate
network and
operates in
the unlicensed
radio
spectrum.

6. LoRa
Notice that this protocol is symmetrical and provides (same uplink and
downlink bandwidth ) adaptive data rate to offer the best speed/reliability
balance. Also, spread spectrum modulation creates the possibility
of coexisting with narrowband transmitters on same frequencies.
Link reliability is represented by Bit error rate vs Signal-noise rate for LoRa:
There is a high probability
of a low error rate
in much noisier
environments
than in SigFox
cases.

7. Conclusions
zz You can create your
own radio system by using
Sigfox/LoRa everywhere,
or use the existing system
in that area with LTE-M ;
zz For city areas or other
noisy areas, it’s better
to use LoRa instead of
Sigfox, because it provides
more flexibility in the
settings guaranteeing
the reliability of your
connection.

8. We stay up-to-date
on the latest research
and technology.
If you have any questions,
our R&D team is always
online – contact us!
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