IoT wireless connectivity networks are booming to help meet the networking needs of a variety of devices, from connected cars and smart homes to smart lighting and infrastructure. Low-power wide area networks (LPWAN), in particular, are particularly suitable for IoT systems that require low power consumption and ultra-long battery life with carrier-grade security. Several LPWAN technologies, including LTE-M and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), are being developed and deployed to support such IoT connectivity needs. LPWAN will have a significant impact on the future growth of IoT innovation.
Elija la red IoT adecuada
El éxito de un sistema IoT depende de que sus necesidades de red se correspondan con la tecnología o combinación de tecnologías adecuadas. En función de la categoría de la aplicación IoT, las empresas deben tener en cuenta seis factores clave a la hora de seleccionar tecnologías de conectividad de red: cobertura, caudal de datos, movilidad, latencia, duración de la batería y coste.
Take throughput, for example, which represents the rate (or speed) at which data is exchanged on a network. For smart city parking meters, lighting management, or other scenarios where less data is exchanged and high latency can be received, data throughput may be a lower priority. However, if the application targets streaming, telemedicine, or involves video scenarios, choosing a high-throughput, low-latency network will be critical.
Ventajas de la tecnología de bajo consumo
Lower cost and longer battery life have always been top priorities in IoT system architecture. LTE-M and NB-IoT are ideally suited to solving these types of problems—and more. This article will focus on these two network connection technologies.
En comparación con la tecnología tradicional de conexión móvil IoT, la tecnología LPWAN presenta ventajas evidentes. Se espera que los costes generales de conectividad de red sean significativamente inferiores a los costes de conectividad de banda ancha móvil tradicional gracias a la cobertura de área amplia y a la capacidad multiterminal por región.
Además, LTE-M y NB-IoT pueden proporcionar hasta 10 años de duración de la batería para muchos dispositivos IoT. Mientras que entre 12 y 24 horas de batería son suficientes para los dispositivos wearables de consumo, los dispositivos de seguimiento remoto de activos requieren mucho más tiempo. Por ejemplo, las baterías de los dispositivos inteligentes que rastrean activos en la cadena de suministro pueden durar entre siete y más de 30 días seguidos, dependiendo del tiempo y del modo de transporte, como tierra, mar y aire; y de la disponibilidad de interruptores o contenedores sencillos. , como el seguimiento de la capacidad de cubos de basura o tanques de almacenamiento de líquidos, el equipo tiene que estar sobre el terreno durante muchos años, y una sola batería tiene que durar también muchos años.
Espectro con licencia y espectro exento de licencia para LPWAN
Existen dos grandes categorías de tecnologías LPWAN: tecnologías bajo licencia y tecnologías exentas de licencia.
Licensed LPWAN technology leverages mobile network operators’ existing wireless spectrum resources. Mobile operators have long held licenses to operate within dedicated spectrum, used exclusively for wireless communications. This is where they deliver the highly reliable, scalable and secure network environment that large enterprises have come to expect. Both NB-IoT and LTE-M support licensed spectrum with carrier-grade security.
License-exempt LPWAN technologies can be used within designated frequency bands, as long as they comply with the rules associated with the frequency bands. Wi-Fi routers, cordless phones, and other communications devices can also access unlicensed spectrum, which can cause signal interference and reduce network performance. In addition, license-free spectrum technology has limited coverage, lacks carrier-grade security, and does not always support two-way communications. Therefore, most license-free LPWAN technologies do not support firmware and software over-the-air updates.
Impulso al desarrollo de LTE-M y NB-IoT
According to the GSMA, mobile operators have launched 58 commercial mobile IoT networks globally. The GSMA predicts there will be 1.8 billion licensed LPWAN connections by 2025. AT&T launched its LTE-M network in the U.S. and Mexico last year and recently announced it is preparing to launch NB-IoT in the U.S. and in Mexico early next year.
LTE-M and NB-IoT are low-power IoT technologies that complement each other. NB-IoT is well suited to meet the basic data requirements of use cases with limited data needs, while LTE-M supports more powerful features that can provide higher bandwidth, mobility and LTE voice services. They all connect directly to mobile networks and don’t require a Wi-Fi login or Bluetooth pairing.
NB-IoT is most suitable for simple switching devices, including smart parking meters, smart agricultural sensors, electricity meters, industrial monitors, and building automation. LTE-M, on the other hand, is best suited for asset trackers, fleet tracking, smart watches, alarm panels, pet trackers, smart home appliances, patient monitors, utility meters, and more.
Mirando al futuro
En el futuro, se espera que NB-IoT y LTE-M pasen a formar parte de los estándares IoT a gran escala del sector. Las inversiones en NB-IoT y LTE-M ayudan a las empresas a estar preparadas con antelación.
LPWAN acelera el ritmo de la innovación en IoT e impulsa el despliegue de dispositivos a mayor escala, desempeñando un papel clave en el establecimiento de un amplio ecosistema de socios, dispositivos y bases de aplicaciones en todo el mundo.
