Everything you always wanted to know about LoRaWAN® technology and People Counting L-XL LoRa
This GDPR-compliant people counting solution is ideal for retail operations, Smart Buildings and offices. It complements our original People Counting L-XL Power over Ethernet (PoE) device, and does not rely on WiFi and Ethernet cabling.
But before we dive into the features and benefits of our latest innovative people counting solution, let’s take a quick look at the technology it is based on.
Introducing LoRa technology
LoRa is a wireless radio based communication technology and as the name might suggest, LoRa stands for Long Range, which is a reference to the extremely long-range data links that this technology enables. Data from a LoRa device can be transmitted or received over the LoRa network (such as the LoRaWAN) roughly up to five kilometers in urban areas and up to 15 kilometers in rural areas, where there is clearer line of sight.
The technology was originally developed by Cycleo (patent 9647718-B2), a company based in Grenoble, France, that was later acquired by Semtech.
Perhaps the most significant benefit of the technology is the fact it operates on an unlicensed spectrum, which means that essentially anyone who has a LoRa device can transmit or receive data over the LoRa network.
LoRa, a growth technology
Krzystof Zurad, R&D Lead Engineer (Software), Terabee, explains in more detail, “LoRa is fast becoming one of the major IoT technologies available on the market.
“There are currently more than 170 LoRaWAN® Network Operators in more than 170 countries and that number is growing every day.
“Each country has its own frequency and this frequency can be allocated to different applications.
“It’s important to use the correct frequency and these are outlined in a document called Regional Parameters, created by LoRa Alliance, the non-profit technology alliance of which Semtech is a founding member and board sponsor.”
LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN offer compelling features for IoT applications including long range, low power consumption and importantly for people counting solutions, secure data transmission.
Key features of the People Counting L-XL LoRa device
Our range of people counting solutions are ideal for occupancy monitoring, space and facility optimization and maximum capacity compliance in smart offices, as well as the integration of HVAC systems for energy saving, and customer tracking and staff optimization for retail applications.
98% accuracy and better
Terabee People Counting L-XL LoRa solution consists of a discrete IoT hardware device which uses Time-of-Flight (ToF) 3D depth sensing and embedded counting algorithms, as well as an optional IoT platform.
The technology works just as well in low light conditions and our people counting algorithm is capable of filtering out static objects and counting multiple people passing in both directions. Subsequently our people counting accuracy is far higher than other solutions – 98% accuracy (or better).
GDPR compliant, by design
3D ToF sensing has a number of advantages. Because it does not capture an RGB image, like stereo vision systems do, user anonymity is guaranteed, which makes it GDPR-compliant.
Wireless LoRaWAN connectivity
LoRa technology eliminates the need to install Ethernet cables. And with data transmitted over radio frequencies, reliance on WiFi is also eliminated.
The data and the device are completely decoupled from the client’s IT infrastructure, which adds an extra layer of security.
In addition the strength of the LoRa band frequency enables connectivity through walls, thereby reducing the number of gateway devices required to set up in a building that has LoRa infrastructure.
No subscription model
There’s no subscription model for integrators with direct data communication to a third-party cloud platform or server.
Increased coverage
Up to five Terabee People Counting L-XL LoRa devices can be installed together through Ethernet cables to cover wider entrances and passageways. One device acts as the Coordinator (or gateway device) and the others as Subordinates.
Security benefits
LoRaWAN has been designed with security in mind. That means that every single transmission between the sensor, the network server and the application server is encrypted.
Baptiste Potier, Smart Building Product Manager, Terabee, explains, “Essentially how it works is every sensor has a set of unique keys which have to be registered on the network server site.
“If those keys match, then the device can communicate with the network server through an encrypted session and without any risk that the data might be breached, making it incredibly secure.”
Key features
- GDPR compliant by design
- 3D depth people counting sensor
- Multi-device support for wide door counting (through Ethernet cables only)
- Easy to install and configure via Web GUI
- Effective in low-light conditions
- Two status LEDs for easy troubleshooting
- Power supply via Micro-USB
- LoRaWAN for data transmission
- Powerful people counting algorithm with 98% accuracy
Business benefits
- Flexible and scalable People Counting solution that fits any kind of indoor wide entrance
- Easy to install, easy to integrate, competitively priced device that gives you the flexibility to push the data where it’s needed
- On-board computed data – no need for a subscription-based cloud computing platform or external gateway
- Use accurate user traffic data to make informed decisions to optimize operations
Discover more about our people counting products and technology.