A SIERRA WIRELESS WHITE PAPER

Low Power, High ReturnsMaking the Most of Today’s Wireless Technologies

Many of today’s Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications use Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) technology to save energy consumption and reduce cost while logging, monitoring, and reacting to real-time data. This white paper looks at the advantages of LPWA and offers tips that increase the return on investment.

A growing number of companies in the industrial sector are using the Internet of Things (IoT) to gather and analyze real-time data from the field. This process of logging, monitoring, and acting on industrial-grade data – be it equipment run time, environmental conditions, or other parameters – helps optimize operations and ensure quality, and also supports new, subscription-based services that bill according to usage. One of the enabling technologies in this area is Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) connectivity, which wirelessly transmits data to the cloud while consuming very little

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energy from the edge device. LPWA delivers low-data-rate, low-power operation, which is important to applications that rely on small, battery or solar-operated devices that are equipped with edge intelligence and are made to operate for years on their own, away from human interaction.

Why Deploy with LPWA?LPWA applications appear in every category of the IIoT. And while many LPWA use cases remain on the very low end of latency and speed, LPWA technology can support everything from slow-trickle batch communication at data rates around 20 kbps to real-time communication at speeds as high as 350 kbps.

Figure 1: LPWA is Used Throughout the IIoT for Real-time Logging, Monitoring, and Decision-making

LPWA technologies stand out in the IIoT because they deliver what can be referred to as the Four C’s: Cost, Coverage, Current, and Capacity.

� COST Widespread availability and mass production has lowered costs by as much as 50%. Modular design simplifies development and enables smaller footprints, while low-power operation reduces the cost of monthly and annual subscriptions for data transmission.

� COVERAGE LPWA technologies have been shown to deliver more than 20 dB of added coverage, which can lead to between a 5x and 10x improvement in transmission success. That means far better building penetration in urban areas and/or longer distance in rural areas.

� CURRENT Using LPWA technologies for data transmission leads to energy savings, with power

What is LPWA?Low-Power Wide-Area (LPWA) networks deliver a new class ofwireless technology specifically designed for low data IoT applications.

Sierra Wireless (NASDAQ: SWIR) (TSX: SW) is building the Internet of Things with intelligent wireless solutions that empower organizations to innovate in the connected world.

Sierra Wireless, the Sierra Wireless logo, and the red wave design are trademarks of Sierra Wireless. Other registered trademarks that appear on this infographic are the property of the respective owners. © 2018 Sierra Wireless, Inc. 2018.01.01

What You Need To Know Before You Start Development

2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

>690M Connected LTE-M and NB-IoT Devices by 2022

For more information, visit sierrawireless.com/LPWA

Low power consumption

varies by module,so shop around

2G fallback ensures connectivity in areas with limited LPWA

coverage

Multi-mode provides flexibilityto deploy on any

network

Embedded SIMs enable smaller

form factors and reduce complexity

Integrated GNSS allows easytracking of

valuable assets

Standards-Based Advantages

Module Spec Considerations

Forecast of LTE-M and NB-IoT Connections Globally (Millions)

Two Leading LPWA Technologies

Technologies Driving Change

Global availability

Secure transmission

Future proof deployments

Mobile applications

Network quality guarantees

Real-time applications

COST> 50% reduction - Think Wi-Fi or Bluetooth

CURRENT>75x lower power - 10+ years battery life

COVERAGE>20dB coverage - �

5-10x improvement

CAPACITY1 million users per

square kilometer

*Comparisons to broadband LTE

COVERAGE DRIVERS: Repetition; hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), downlink power spectral density (PSD) boosting, frequency hopping, and selective scheduling all extend signal coverage.

COST DRIVERS: Half duplex, lower bandwidth, lower speed, single antenna all drive

down the module complexity.

CURRENT DRIVERS: Power savings mode (PSM), small data optimization, and flexible sleep (eDRX)

all reduce the power consumption of devices.

CAPACITY DRIVERS: Signaling optimization, narrowband transmission, HARQ, frequency hopping, adaptive modulation, and higher order modulation all increase the network capacity.

Source: ABI Research

NB-IoT LTE-M / eMTC / Cat-M 5G ready5G ready

• Focused on very low data rates• Ideal for simpler static sensor applications

• Highest bandwidth of any LPWA technology• Ideal for fixed and mobile applications

Batch Communication LATENCY Real-Time Communication

20kbps SPEED 350kbps

SmartMeter

PipelineManagement

HomeAutomation

BuildingAutomation

SmartGrid

Transportation HomeSecurity

PatientMonitoring

Agriculture SmartCity

StreetLighting

Tracking Industrial AssetManagement

Retail & POS

Wearables

NB-IoT LTE-MREL 13 REL 13

Power Consumption

Network Coverage

Deployment

Worldwide SKU

Bandwidth

Data Rate (DL/UL)

Resource Allocation

Mobility

Real Time

Voice

Network Requirements

75X or 10 Years

20dB or 164 dB MCL

Yes

In-band, Guard-band, Stand alone

180kHz

27/65kbps

pre-allocated

no

no

no

mostly software upgrade

In-band

1.08MHz

300/375kbps

dynamic

yes

yes

yes

software upgrade

Four C’s of LPWA

12M 42M126M

303M

691M

Four C’sof LPWA*

LPWA Applications

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consumption down by as much as 75% or more. Battery-powered devices can run longer because they use less energy (10+ year battery life is not unusual), and network updates place less of a burden on the power budget. Low-current operation also leads to faster wake-up and sleep responsiveness and supports deeper sleep modes when devices are idle.

� CAPACITY LPWA technologies can scale quickly, supporting deployments with as many as 1 million users per square kilometer. Compatibility with 5G cellular also means that, depending on the solution, deployments can support more devices in densely populated areas.

Plan for Today and TomorrowSince IIoT deployments tend to have long lifetimes (devices can be in the field for a decade or more), the decision to use one LPWA technology over another often requires considering requirements for today and tomorrow.

In general, LPWA network technologies fall into two categories: private and public. In the private category, one of the most popular choices is LoRa, a proprietary technology with deployments mainly concentrated in Europe. The primary selling point for LoRa is that it runs on private networks in unlicensed bands, at what is often a lower cost. But LoRa is wholly owned by a single company, Semtech, and this raises concerns about long-term availability, scalability and support.

In the public category, there is LTE-M and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), which are IoT-specific versions of the well-known LTE standard. LTE-M and NB-IoT run in licensed bands on public networks that are available worldwide, and their evolution is guided by the 3GPP standards body. There are several reasons why LTE-M and NB-IoT offer the longevity, flexibility, and scalability that low-power IIoT deployments typically need:

� GLOBAL AVAILABILITY Cellular connectivity covers just about everyone, everywhere, worldwide. With an LTE-derived technology as the basis of a deployment, the service can expand to new places – across the border or across the ocean – with only minimal changes to the design.

� SECURE TRANSMISSION LTE-M and NB-IoT offer built-in security, with encryption and secure over-the-air transmissions. Having baseline security as part of the protocol reduces programming overhead and saves power.

� FUTURE-PROOF DEPLOYMENTS LTE-M and NB-IoT are defined as part of the new 5G standards and comply with the ITU guidelines for 5G technologies in the IIoT. Not only are LTE-M and NB-IoT part of the allocated spectrum for the next generation of cellular, they are an integral part of 5G’s long-term future.

� MOBILE APPLICATIONS

LOW-POWER, DEEP EDGE CONNECTIVITY ENABLES

� New revenue models � Enhanced services � Increased engagement � Greater resource efficiency � Improved services � Optimized processes � Reduced expenses

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LTE-M and NB-IoT are outgrowths of the mobile industry and as such are well-suited for applications that involve devices moving from one place to another. Widespread coverage is a bonus in this area, too, since it means on-the-go devices are more likely to maintain their connections.

� NETWORK QUALITY GUARANTEES With many IIoT applications, having the network go down can lead to life-threatening situations. But even when not dealing with what’s commonly termed “mission-critical” data, the IIoT deployment is still vital to business success. Up time, measured in network availability and Quality of Service (QoS), is an important consideration. Operating in licensed bands, where telecom service providers have built-in protections, helps minimize the length and severity of outages.

� REAL-TIME APPLICATIONS Because cellular is a bidirectional protocol, designed to carry data to and from the field, it is able to support real-time applications that require remote, over-the-air updates and quick responses from cloud-based applications. Other formats, which support only unidirectional connectivity, require manual intervention for programming and updates.

LPWA ChecklistWhen evaluating an LPWA embedded solution, the following checklist can help guide your selection.

Low Power Be sure the energy ratings for a given solution match the requirements for your design.

2G Fallback Some modules can use 2G cellular for data transmission in case LPWA technology experiences difficulties.

Multi-Mode SupportSome regions support LTE-M only or NB-IoT only, while others let you use either. Onboard support for both LPWA formats increases your options for regional deployment and coverage.

Embedded SIMs Modules that include a SIM are smaller more efficient, easier to commission, and more cost-effective to deploy.

Integrated GNSSHaving GNSS location services built into the LPWA module makes it easier to support tracking and location-based services and can increase location accuracy.

Reference Designs Sample designs and other development tools save time and reduce the cost of the initial deployment.

Scalable Form FactorWhen LPWA building blocks are available in different formats, the deployment can grow and evolve without needing significant redesign.

Software UpdatesOver The Air (OTA) updates let you take advantage of things like security patches, new 3GPP release features, and future upgrades to LTE networks.

Extend Performance by Adding Local Area

LTE-M VERSUS NB-IOT Both LTE-M and NB-IoT are low-power options designed to deal with relatively small amounts of data. NB-IoT, which runs at about 60 kbps maximum uplink and 20 kbps downlink, is best suited for use with static sensors that measure things like humidity, temperature, and so on. It’s the choice for applications that require infrequent transmission of very small amounts of data. LTE-M, by contrast, runs at about 300 kbps, and is good for mobile as well as static applications. The higher bandwidth and data throughput make it a somewhat more flexible choice.

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ConnectivityWhile cellular LPWA technology takes care of the long-distance transmissions, short-range technologies like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi have a role to play, too.

Adding local connectivity to an IIoT device can make it easier for technicians to configure, deploy, and maintain systems, since a smartphone or tablet can use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi to interact with equipment in the factory or in the field. The cellular connection, and the cost associated with it, can be saved for cloud-based connectivity during day-to-day operation.

Supporting local connectivity also lets individual devices connect to each other in a mesh network, for more efficient data gathering, and then linking to a cloud-connected gateway. Nearby devices, in a building or an agricultural field, for example, can connect with each other and the local gateway using the low-power mesh network, and then the gateway can use low-data-rate LPWA or higher-data-rate LTE to transmit aggregated data to the cloud. The end nodes have minimal impact on the overall power consumption, making the gateway one of the few pieces of equipment requiring a higher level of power to operate.

Bluetooth is often the choice for local connectivity, since the latest versions offer IoT-specific capabilities, but since so many buildings are already equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, 802.11 can be a straightforward way to connect with in-place networks.

Figure 2: Local connectivity can simplify user interaction and make data gathering more efficient

Increase Efficiency and ROI by Managing Data

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WiselyThe amount of data you gather and transmit is closely tied to the amount of power your edge device will use, so finding ways to make data usage more efficient can translate into serious power savings. An IIoT deployment is capable of gathering vast amounts of data, but you don’t necessarily need to use all of that information right away.

Knowing what information you need, and when you need it, helps make IIoT operation more efficient and more cost-effective. Careful evaluation of what happens at the edge of the network, where data is generated, helps define the parameters you want to detect, what you want to filter out, and what you want to store. It helps set priorities, uncover correlations, and makes it easier to determine what should be sent when.

As an example, consider a medical transport service that takes blood samples, drawn at a medical facility, and transports them to a lab for testing. Samples must be kept at a constant temperature while in transit. Sensors take and record measurements every few minutes, but only send an alert if there’s an over-temperature condition. Otherwise, data is sent in a batch, at the end of a shift, for use with predictive maintenance. Over time, you may want to add new features over the air, such as tamper alerts, sent by light sensors that detect container opening, or damage alerts, sent by impacts sensors that detect if the container has been dropped.

These kinds of data-streaming rules, which distinguish urgent situations from normal operation, make the system more responsive, with the ability to modify behavior in real time with less manual intervention.

Other considerations for power conscious data management include monitoring battery levels, since you can’t manage what you don’t measure. Stripping software updates of excess weight can help save power in transmission, and can help avoid the power spikes associated with excessively heavy security overhead. Also, combining GNSS location services with other technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, can increase accuracy while improving overall power consumption.

Start with SierraAt Sierra Wireless, we offer advanced, quick-to-deploy solutions for low-power IoT applications, so connected devices and machines can fully integrate with enterprise systems and data analytics.

Working at the edge of the network, our highly integrated modules and gateway solutions enable efficient processing of data at the point of generation, and provide the built-in security needed to protect data during transmission.

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Figure 3: Sierra Wireless Offers Device-to-Cloud Solutions that Save Time and Increase Efficiency

For long-range connectivity, our Smart SIM solutions increase flexibility while lowering operating costs, and our Ready-to-Connect options, which support local and long-range connectivity, save time and simplify deployment. And our device management portal provides a comprehensive view of the entire setup and makes it easy to manage even the largest deployments.

BEST-IN-CLASS POWER SAVINGSThe HL780x embedded modules for LTE-M and NB-IoT deliver extremely low power consumption, with energy requirements that are far lower than competing solutions. Designed for fast deployment, these single-module solutions offer global coverage with industry and mobile network certificates. An integrated GNSS receiver enables tracking and location-based services, while secure boot prevents unauthorized code on the target and value-added firmware. Seamless operation with AirVantage cloud services simplifies development while supporting advanced functionality.

YOURDEVICES

YOUR IT SYSTEMS/ APPLICATIONS

Embedded Modules

Device & Connectivity Management Services

Smart Connectivity Services

READY-TO-CONNECT SOLUTIONS

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Singel 3 | B-2550 Kontich | Belgium | Tel. +32 (0)3 458 30 33 | info@alcom.be | www.alcom.be

Rivium 1e straat 52 | 2909 LE Capelle aan den Ijssel | The Netherlands | Tel. +31 (0)10 288 25 00 | info@alcom.nl | www.alcom.nl