Understanding the IoT technology LoRa and its interference vulnerability

Abstract

The Internet of Thing (IoT) technology LoRa belongs to the class of low power wide area network (LPWAN) dedicated for several new applications. LoRa is the current market leader and the expected growth of LPWAN application is tremendous. LoRa is using the unlicensed frequency band 868 MHz in Europe and 916 MHz in US. Although LoRa has been available for some years, its interference vulnerability has not been thoroughly elaborated. Here, the LoRa waveform with its error performance and orthogonality is clarified. Furthermore, consequences and recommendations are presented. It is foreseen that the unlicensed bands will experience an increased interference level that will negatively affect the communication performance.