LoRa vs LoRaWAN tutorial

Libelium currently offers two options of this type of radio technology: LoRa and LoRaWAN

• LoRa contains only the link layer protocol and is perfect to be used in P2P communications between nodes. LoRa modules are a little cheaper that the LoRaWAN ones.

• LoRaWAN includes the network layer too, so it is possible to send the information to any Base Station already connected to a Cloud platform. LoRaWAN modules may work in different frequencies by just connecting the right antenna to its socket.

These modules are based on the same modulation technology (the same PHY layer): LoRa™, developed by Semtech. The LoRa module implements a simple link protocol, created by Libelium. However, the LoRaWAN module runs the LoRaWAN protocol, a much richer and more advanced protocol, created by the LoRa Alliance.

The LoRa module and the LoRaWAN module are not compatible because the protocols are different.

More information about the LoRaWAN Networking Guide

More information about the LoRa Networking Guide