Basic knowledge: Building automation LoRaWAN®
Simple and efficient automation of new and existing buildings
Originally developed for the Internet of Things (IoT), the LoRaWAN® wireless technology – short for Long Range Wide Area Network – is increasingly being promoted by cities, municipalities, property managers, and energy suppliers. It also plays an important role in Smart Cities. As an alternative to other wireless systems such as Zigbee or Bluetooth®, LoRaWAN® is particularly suitable as a powerful solution where long ranges and high cost efficiency are essential.
The application areas of LoRaWAN® in building automation and monitoring are diverse. Especially for less time-critical applications such as temperature or humidity measurements, LoRaWAN® is a highly powerful solution. From an operator's perspective, the high security standards ensured by double-encrypted data transmission and the possibility of Europe-wide use without incurring license costs are convincing.
The worldwide strong acceptance of LoRaWAN® is due to the versatile application possibilities and opportunities of this relatively new technology in building automation. LoRaWAN® not only offers enormous savings potential due to its low network setup costs but also makes a significant contribution to the cost-efficient use of buildings. Since around 80 percent of the total building costs are incurred during the operational phase, this is a crucial factor, especially for older existing buildings. Here, LoRaWAN® networks can significantly contribute to cost reduction.
In addition to the classic integration of sensors into the control of, for example, ventilation systems and building automation, the LoRaWAN® interface offers the possibility to send live data independently of building automation to a cloud, for example, as a data basis for preventive maintenance.
The goal is to relieve facility management, to capture building data in a simple way without the involvement of building automation, to prepare it transparently, and to offer building and system operators new functions and services.
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Network Architecture:
The LoRaWAN® network is based on a multi-level architecture in which sensors, actuators, gateways, network and application servers and, if necessary, converters work together to efficiently collect, transmit and process sensor data and integrate it into existing systems such as IoT platforms or building management systems (BMS).
Step 1 – Sensors and actuators (end devices):
Are, for example, LoRaWAN® sensors that record measured values and send AES128 encrypted data to a gateway.
Step 2 – Gateways:
Receive the data from the various end devices and pass it on (still encrypted) to the network server (standard IP connection). Each gateway forwards all received data to the network server. In this way, several hundred to approx. 1,000 wireless sensors can be connected via one gateway. To cover larger areas, several gateways are connected to the same network server.
Cloud Connectivity
Integration into IoT platforms via network and application servers.
Step 3 – Network / Application Server:
The central LoRaWAN® network server collects data from its gateways and forwards it for further processing. Duplicate data packets are discarded. The network server decrypts the data and forwards it to the respective application server.
The application server processes and decodes the data according to the specific needs of the application, enabling seamless integration into external systems such as cloud-based IoT platforms, databases, or user interfaces. Raw sensor data is translated into meaningful information, processed in line with defined business rules and formats the data for further use.
Step 4 – Application:
At the application level, the processed data is used to drive decision-making, optimize operations, and enhance the user experience. Applications may visualize the data in dashboards, enable predictive analytics, or integrate with third-party IoT platforms. These platforms can also provide insights, trigger automated workflows, or send notifications and alerts based on predefined conditions.
Schematic LoRaWAN® Cloud Connection
Building Management System (BMS) Integration
Protocol conversion and integration into the (existing) BMS
Step 3 – Converter:
The converter combines the network and application server into a single device while also handling protocol conversion. It directly converts LoRaWAN® data to Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet IP, enabling seamless integration with a Building Management System (BMS).
External LoRaWAN® gateways serve as wireless receivers and can be connected to the converter for efficient data transmission.
Step 4 – BMS Integration:
At the BMS integration level, the converted data is used for monitoring, automation, and optimization of building operations. The system enables visualization, predictive maintenance, and automated control of HVAC, lighting, and other infrastructure.
By directly integrating into the BMS via common building automation protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet IP, the solution improves efficiency, sustainability, and operational insights, while ensuring seamless interoperability in modern (smart) IoT environments.
Schematic LoRaWAN® BMS-Connection
LoRa® refers to the radio technology used for data transmission, i.e. the basic mode of communication. A special modulation process for transmitting information ensures smooth processes and protects against interference, such as interference from sensors transmitting at the same time.
LoRaWAN® describes the network structure and the protocol used to ensure standardised communication between network participants. LoRaWAN® ensures the manufacturer-independent use of solutions within a network or across different networks and also allows new solutions to be easily integrated into existing networks.
LoRaWAN® Sensor Technology from Thermokon
Attractive due to high cost efficiency
Thermokon has expanded its portfolio to include various LoRaWAN® solutions, designed for energy-efficient buildings. These sensors and gateways are tailored for building automation, offering functionalities such as temperature and humidity measurement, indoor air quality monitoring, and condensation detection.
Building operators can flexibly choose between battery-powered and wired sensors with analog signal outputs and LoRaWAN® options. Additional benefits include a 5-year warranty on all products and high flexibility due to the continuous expansion of the portfolio.
