Wireless Connection Technologies for IoT Devices in Long Range, Low-Power Networks
Suomi, Heli (2024)
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024051311130
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024051311130
Tiivistelmä
In this thesis, three IoT connectivity protocols (LTE-M, NB-IoT, and LoRaWAN) are evaluated and compared. These protocols are among the most common in wireless connectivity technologies for long-range networks that require low power consumption, commonly referred to as LPWAN technologies. The chosen protocol will be used for a specific device designed to monitor and measure the health and condition of structures, developed by the companies sponsoring this thesis work. This device, named The Structural Measurement Device as per its patent, is intended for use in built environments such as cities or residential areas, but also in sparsely populated regions. Its function is to continuously measure changing values to produce raw data and send this data regularly to both an IoT cloud platform and an on-premise application server. In case of sudden changes in physical conditions, the data should be able to be transmitted immediately.
Initially, the target company developed the physical device, including sensors and other components, to use a local Wi-Fi network in line with their product development roadmap. However, as part of the commercialization process, a connectivity protocol from the market must be selected that serves both technical and cost-effective purposes aligned with the companies' growth and product development strategies.
The theoretical framework of the thesis begins with a definition of IoT, progresses through different network applications to LPWAN technologies, and further to cellular network-utilizing technologies like LTE-M and NB-IoT, as well as LoRaWAN technology.
The comparison between different IoT connectivity techniques is based on the protocols and standards they use, their technological features, and the operational requirements set by the target companies. These features include, for example, interference immunity, data rate, frequency, and modulation, while the standards include ITU-T Y.4480 used by LoRa, 3GPPP LTE Advanced Pro by NB-IoT, and protocols such as UDP, TCP/IP, and MQTT. These concepts and their applications are discussed in the theoretical part of the thesis.
The thesis concludes with a recommendation for one technology based on literature and relevant scientific publications, emphasizing features that best meet the requirements for successful OTA updates, appropriate data transfer speeds, effective signal performance, and ease of device deployment, i.e., provisioning. The thesis also partially addresses the cost perspective.
The recommendations for further development include suggestions for advancing the product development strategy, and for technological perspectives that are currently relevant to the evolution of both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN in the market.
Initially, the target company developed the physical device, including sensors and other components, to use a local Wi-Fi network in line with their product development roadmap. However, as part of the commercialization process, a connectivity protocol from the market must be selected that serves both technical and cost-effective purposes aligned with the companies' growth and product development strategies.
The theoretical framework of the thesis begins with a definition of IoT, progresses through different network applications to LPWAN technologies, and further to cellular network-utilizing technologies like LTE-M and NB-IoT, as well as LoRaWAN technology.
The comparison between different IoT connectivity techniques is based on the protocols and standards they use, their technological features, and the operational requirements set by the target companies. These features include, for example, interference immunity, data rate, frequency, and modulation, while the standards include ITU-T Y.4480 used by LoRa, 3GPPP LTE Advanced Pro by NB-IoT, and protocols such as UDP, TCP/IP, and MQTT. These concepts and their applications are discussed in the theoretical part of the thesis.
The thesis concludes with a recommendation for one technology based on literature and relevant scientific publications, emphasizing features that best meet the requirements for successful OTA updates, appropriate data transfer speeds, effective signal performance, and ease of device deployment, i.e., provisioning. The thesis also partially addresses the cost perspective.
The recommendations for further development include suggestions for advancing the product development strategy, and for technological perspectives that are currently relevant to the evolution of both NB-IoT and LoRaWAN in the market.