12 Long-Range Wireless Technologies
Chapter Objectives
- Describe the uses of radio communication today and methods to improve its quality and reliability.
- Explain how LoRA (Long Range) enables wireless communication for IoT devices and what are the benefits and challenges of using it.
- Compare cellular technologies, such as 4G, 5G, and LTE for various applications and scenarios, such as mobile broadband, voice over IP, video streaming, and vehicular communication.
- Outline the major features of and use cases for WiMAX and other microwave technologies.
- Describe the basic components and functions of a satellite communication system, such as the satellite, the ground station, and the user terminal.
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of satellite communication, such as global coverage, high cost, long latency, and interference.
- Compare the factors that affect long-range wireless performance, such as frequency, latency, power, distance, interference, and weather.
- Examine emerging technologies in long-range wireless communications.
Radio
LoRA is not only a physical layer technology, but also a part of a networking protocol called LoRaWAN, which defines the communication protocol and system architecture for LoRa devices. LoRaWAN is an official standard of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and is managed by the open, non-profit LoRa Alliance. LoRaWAN comprises both a commercial and a community facet, such as The Things Network, which provides free access to the LoRaWAN network. LoRaWAN enables LoRa devices to connect to the internet in regional, national or global networks, and targets key IoT requirements.
Cellular
Cellular technologies are wireless communication systems that use cellular networks to connect mobile devices and data terminals. Cellular technologies can provide long-range wireless networking for various applications, such as voice calls, text messages, internet access, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. Cellular technologies have evolved through several generations, each with different standards, features, and capabilities.
The first generation (1G) of cellular technology was introduced in the 1980s and used analog modulation to transmit voice signals over radio frequencies. 1G had limited capacity, security, and quality, and was soon replaced by the second generation (2G) in the 1990s. 2G used digital modulation and encryption to transfer both voice and data packets over the cellular network. 2G also introduced data services such as SMS and MMS, and supported data rates up to 64 kbit/s.
The third generation (3G) of cellular technology emerged in the early 2000s and offered higher data rates, improved voice quality, and enhanced security. 3G enabled multimedia applications such as video calls, streaming, and web browsing, and supported data rates up to 2 Mbit/s. 3G also introduced the concept of mobile broadband, which allowed users to access the internet from anywhere with cellular coverage. The fourth generation (4G) of cellular technology was launched in the late 2000s and aimed to provide faster, more reliable, and more efficient wireless networking. 4G used a new radio interface and core network architecture based on IP protocols, and supported data rates up to 1 Gbit/s. 4G also enabled seamless integration of different wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The fifth generation (5G) of cellular technology is the latest and most advanced wireless communication system, which is expected to revolutionize various industries and applications. 5G promises to deliver ultra-fast, ultra-reliable, and ultra-low latency wireless networking, with data rates up to 20 Gbit/s. 5G also supports massive connectivity of IoT devices, enhanced mobile broadband, and mission-critical services, such as autonomous vehicles and remote surgery. 5G uses a variety of technologies, such as massive MIMO, beamforming, and millimeter wave, to achieve its performance goals. 5G also introduces new cellular standards, such as LTE-M and NB-IoT, which are designed for low-power and long-range communication of IoT devices.
NB-IoT stands for Narrowband IoT and is a cellular technology that uses licensed spectrum to provide low-power and wide-area connectivity for IoT devices. NB-IoT is based on the LTE standard and is compatible with existing cellular networks. NB-IoT can support data rates up to 250 kbit/s, with a maximum payload size of 1600 bytes per message and a maximum of 40,000 devices per cell. NB-IoT also supports mobility, roaming, and quality of service features. NB-IoT devices can benefit from the high security, coverage, and reliability of the cellular infrastructure. NB-IoT is suitable for applications that require low latency, high availability, and long battery life, such as smart metering, smart parking, and smart lighting.
For more history of cellular technology, you may want to read this book:
D. D. Garcia-Swartz and M. Campbell-Kelly, Cellular: An Economic and Business History of the International Mobile-Phone Industry. The MIT Press, 2022. doi: 10.7551/mitpress/11542.001.0001. Available: https://direct.mit.edu/books/oa-monograph/5457/CellularAn-Economic-and-Business-History-of-the. CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.
See how artificial intelligence and OpenRAN are being integrated for 6G (ITU, 2023) [1:16:11]
Satellite
Satellite technologies are wireless communication systems that use orbiting satellites to relay signals between devices on Earth. Satellite technologies can provide long-range wireless networking for various applications, such as voice calls, internet access, navigation, and remote sensing. Satellite technologies have some advantages and disadvantages compared to other wireless technologies, such as cellular and WiMAX.
One advantage of satellite technologies is that they can provide global coverage and reach areas where terrestrial networks are not available or too costly to deploy. Satellite technologies can also support high data rates and high mobility of users and devices. Satellite technologies can enable seamless integration of different wireless technologies, such as LoRa and WiMAX, by providing backhaul and interconnection services,
One disadvantage of satellite technologies is that they require high initial investment and maintenance costs for launching and operating satellites. Satellite technologies also suffer from high latency, which is the delay between sending and receiving signals, due to the long distance between the satellites and the Earth. Satellite technologies also face challenges such as interference, attenuation, and security issues. Satellite technologies have to comply with various regulations and standards, such as the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the LoRa Alliance.
Are you interested in how communications work on a spacecraft? The ninth chapter of NASA’s State-of-the-Art of Small Spacecraft Technology provides details: 9.0 Communications – NASA. https://www.nasa.gov/smallsat-institute/sst-soa/soa-communications/.
Microwave
Microwave wireless technology uses electromagnetic waves with wavelengths ranging from about 30 centimeters to one millimeter, corresponding to frequencies between 1000 MHz and 300 GHz, to transmit data and voice signals. Microwave wireless technology is mainly used for point-to-point communications, where two devices are directly connected by a narrow beam of microwaves. Microwave wireless technology can also support other applications, such as radar, satellite, and spacecraft communication, medical diathermy and cancer treatment, remote sensing, radio astronomy, industrial heating, and collision avoidance systems. Microwave wireless technology has several advantages over other wireless technologies, such as high data rate, low power consumption, high precision, and robustness. However, microwave wireless technology also has some limitations, such as line-of-sight requirement, limited range, and atmospheric absorption. Some long-range microwave techniques are described below.
WiMAX is a wireless communication technology that uses microwave frequencies to provide broadband access to large areas. WiMAX stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access and is based on the IEEE 802.16 standard. WiMAX can be used for various purposes, such as internet access, voice and video transmission, and backhaul for other wireless networks.
WiMAX has some advantages over other wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi and cellular. WiMAX can cover a range of up to 50 km, while Wi-Fi can only cover a few hundred meters. WiMAX can also support data rates up to 70 Mbps, while cellular networks can only offer up to 20 Mbps. WiMAX can operate in both line-of-sight and non-line-of-sight conditions, while other technologies require a clear path between the transmitter and the receiver. WiMAX can also support a large number of users and devices, as well as mobility and roaming.
WiMAX has some disadvantages as well. WiMAX requires high initial investment and maintenance costs for deploying and operating base stations and receivers. WiMAX also suffers from interference, attenuation, and security issues, as it uses unlicensed spectrum and shared medium. WiMAX also faces competition from other wireless technologies, such as LTE and 5G, which offer higher data rates, lower latency, and better quality of service. WiMAX also has to comply with various regulations and standards, such as the ITU and the WiMAX Forum, which certify the interoperability and performance of WiMAX equipment.
Microwave relay networks use a series of microwave antennas to transmit signals over long distances. Microwave relay networks can operate in the frequency range of 300 MHz to 300 GHz, and can support data rates up to 70 Mbps. Microwave relay networks were widely used for point-to-point communications and broadcasting until they were replaced by fiber-optic cables and satellites
Microwave power transmission (MPT) is a technique that uses microwaves to transfer energy wirelessly from a transmitter to a receiver. MPT can be used for various purposes, such as powering satellites, drones, or mobile facilities. MPT can operate in the frequency range of 2.45 GHz to 5.8 GHz, and can achieve power levels up to 10 kW. MPT faces challenges such as efficiency, robustness, and directional radiation
LRLP
Long Range Low Power (LRLP) wireless networks use low-power and long-range wireless technologies, such as SIGFOX, Ingenu, and LoRa, to connect IoT devices. LRLP networks can operate in the sub-gigahertz frequency bands, such as EU868, AU915, US915, IN865, and AS923, and can support data rates between 0.3 kbit/s and 27 kbit/s. LRLP networks are designed for applications that require low mobility and low data transfer.
For an overview of long-range wireless radio technologies, read this article:
B. Foubert and N. Mitton, “Long-Range Wireless Radio Technologies: A Survey,” Future Internet, vol. 12, no. 1, p. 13, Jan. 2020, doi: 10.3390/fi12010013. Available: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-5903/12/1/13.
Finally, if you are interesting in an IoT project to consolidate what you’ve learned in this course, check out the following idea!
