{"id":11945,"date":"2022-11-14T07:02:40","date_gmt":"2022-11-14T06:02:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.terabee.com\/people-counting-with-lorawan-part-1\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T09:48:01","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T08:48:01","slug":"people-counting-with-lorawan-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.terabee.com\/de\/people-counting-with-lorawan-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything to know about People Counting with LoRaWAN (Part 1)"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is the first of two articles based on Terabee\u2019s recent webinar, \u201cAn introduction to People Counting with LoRaWAN technology\u201d, hosted by Baptiste Potier, Product Manager for Smart Buildings and Frederic Tabus, Market Intelligence Manager.<\/h1>\n

Understanding LoRa and LoRaWAN
\nLoRa vs. LoRaWAN<\/h2>\n

\u201cWhile the two words look the same, LoRa and LoRaWAN have different meanings,\u201d explains Frederic Tabus. \u201cLoRa is a modulation technique for a specific wireless spectrum while LoRaWAN is an open protocol that enables Internet of Things (IoT) devices to use LoRa for communication.\u201d (1,2)<\/p>\n

Together, LoRa and LoRaWAN define a low-power, low-cost, wide-area communications protocol that is an excellent fit for sustainable development projects.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe LoRa network is now global and uses an unlicensed spectrum,\u201d says Frederic Tabus. As LoRa operates in an unlicensed part of the radio spectrum, virtually anyone with a LoRa-enabled device can transmit or receive data freely over the LoRa network. This means global uptake is accelerating.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a result, half a billion LoRaWAN devices will be deployed in the world by 2025. We also expect the share of LoRa in US companies\u2019 IoT deployments to grow from 15% to 30% in the next two years.\u201d<\/p>\n

LoRaWAN network architecture<\/h2>\n

There are four essential parts to a LoRaWAN network: end nodes, gateways, a network server, and application servers.<\/p>\n

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\u201cStarting at the beginning, we have end nodes \u2013 also called end devices,\u201d explains Baptiste Potier. End devices are the devices \u2013 sensors and actuators \u2013 which communicate over the LoRaWAN network.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese sensors or actuators send LoRa wireless messages to gateways, or receive messages back from gateways. The gateways simply forward messages to the LoRaWAN network server.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe network server itself is the core of the LoRaWAN architecture. It enables connectivity, management, and monitoring of devices, gateways and end-user applications,\u201d says Baptiste Potier. \u201cThe main objectives of the network server are to ensure secure, scalable, and reliable data routing throughout the network,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n

(Image: The Things Industries)<\/p>\n

The final part of the LoRaWAN network is the application servers. \u201cSoftware running on the application servers is responsible for application-specific data processes using data from end devices, producing graphics or displaying data, for example.\u201d Application servers can also generate and send messages to end nodes via the network server.<\/p>\n

Using LoRaWAN in Smart Buildings applications<\/h2>\n

By enabling low-power connectivity of IoT sensors and actuators over a wide area, LoRaWAN brings several opportunities for Smart Building applications.<\/p>\n

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