News

Comparison of energy management system NB-IoT and LoRa trans

Release time:2018-12-15 Times of browsing:


    The energy management system is an important tool for enterprises to improve the operation and maintenance management level and scientifically analyze the energy consumption data. It provides data support for the users to formulate correct energy-saving solutions and verify the energy-saving steps, thus achieving a spiral increase in energy management level.

    Therefore, the stable transmission of energy management system data plays a key role in enabling data to interact with users. The system's transmission method also has a variety of choices depending on the complex field environment. Common data transmission methods include RS-485, Ethernet, GPRS, 4G, NB-IOT, LoRa, Zigbee, WIFI, etc. Today we will explain the advantages and characteristics between the NB-IOT and LoRa transmission methods.

    NB-loT and LoRa are synonymous with emerging Internet of Things technologies, and both have common characteristics. The two technical solutions are mainly applied in the WAN wireless network, which have the characteristics of low power consumption, strong penetrability and long transmission distance. However, in practical applications, each has its own advantages and disadvantages, the specific comparison is as follows:





    I. Market status comparison:

    NB-IoT is a mobile IoT implementation technology based on operator-licensed spectrum. It has the international standard and that is the biggest advantage. LoRa currently has a certain scale of deployment in many countries and regions of the world, and its technical operation and business model are mature, and the cost is controllable;

    II. Outlook comparison

    LoRa development is faster than NB-IoT in the industry chain maturity and commercial level. Due to factors such as frequency bands and operators, the NB-IoT industry chain needs a time course for the large-scale commercial use. At the same time, many countries around the world are completing or already completed nationwide network deployment, which requires the NB-IoT industry chain  need to minimize the gap time with LoRa in order to get better commercialization.

    III. Network transmission and deployment comparison

    NBIoT mainly relies on the infrastructure of the operator for protocol interfacing. Its network transmission adopts standardized frequency bands, which depends on network operators. The data confidentiality, and network quality are related to the deployment of carrier base stations in different regions. LoRa adopts a more flexible and autonomous network, and has a high degree of freedom in transmission frequency bands. Enterprises can build their own base stations, control network quality, and be free in the choice of deployment environment and location.





    IV. Cost and power consumption comparison

    NB-IoT itself has some limitations, and the cost price and power consumption may become obstacles to the development. The modulation mechanism and protocol of NB-IoT are more complicated, which requires more complicated circuits and more expenses. At the same time, NB-IoT is taxed like 3GPP. At this stage, the tax on a mobile phone is about 5 dollars, but it is more expensive for IoT devices, and if the tax is rashly reduced, it may cause price confusion in mobile communication markets such as mobile phones. Therefore, how the 3GPP organization weighs both the IoT and mobile communication tax issues is also a problem.



    V. Comparison of applicability of physical network terminals

    The LoRaWAN protocol is simpler than NB-IoT, easier to develop and more suitable for microprocessor compatibility.

    Conclusion

    The above is a comparison of the energy management system NB-IoT and LoRa transmission schemes.