Wize vs LoRa: Key Differences, Advantages and Use Cases Compared
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Introduction
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the Internet of Things (IoT), selecting the appropriate communication technology is pivotal for ensuring efficiency, reliability and longevity of connected devices. Two prominent Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies are Wize and LoRa. They have emerged as leading solutions catering to diverse IoT applications.
Wize technology
It is a wireless communication technology developed as per European standard EN13757. It is one of LPWAN technology designed to offer low power, long range and secure communication. It is mainly used for smart metering (gas, water and electricity). The key features of Wize technology are as follows.
- Operates in sub GHz band (notably 169 MHz in Europe)
- Offers long range (Up to 50 Km in rural region)
- Strong penetration through obstacles
- Very low power consumption which delivers battery life of about greater than 15 years
- Suited for private networks and public utility infrastructure
LoRa technology
LoRa is a proprietary spread spectrum modulation technique developed by Semtech for LPWAN. It is widely used in IoT devices for long range communication with minimal energy usage. Following are the key features of LoRaWAN system in which LoRa modulation is used.
- Operates in unlicensed ISM bands (e.g. 868 MHz in EU and 915 MHz in US)
- Offers long range , about 2-15 Km typically
- Uses LoRaWAN protocol for network communication
- Supports bi-directional communication
- Low data rate but scalable
Difference between Wize and LoRa
Feature | Wize Technology | LoRa Technology |
---|---|---|
Frequency Band | 169 MHz (Europe, license free, regulated) | ISM bands (868 MHz EU, 915 MHz US) |
Range | Up to 50 Km (Rural), Excellent underground reach | 2-15 Km, typically up to 20 Km (Rural) |
Modulation | narrowband (2.4 KHz), FSK | Spread Spectrum (CSS) |
Protocol Stack | EN13757 based | LoRaWAN (i.e. network + MAC) |
Network type | Typicallly private utility networks | Public or private LPWANs |
Radio Penetration | Very high (Deep indoor & underground) | Good but less than Wize |
Message size (maximum) | 246 bytes | 222 bytes |
Battery Life | > 15 Years | 5-10 years |
Data rate | Very low (~100 bps) | Variable (0.3 to 50 kbps) |
Standard | Open standard (EN13757) | Open Standard (LoRaWAN by LoRa Alliance) |
Target Applications | Smart metering (Water, gas, electricity) | Smart cities, logistics, agriculture, industry |
Security | AES-128 | AES-128 |
Summary
When deciding between Wize and LoRa technologies, it’s essential to consider the specific requirements of your IoT application.
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Wize is highly specialized for smart metering and excels in deep penetration, very long battery life and and minimal maintenance.
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LoRa, with its flexible architecture and operation in unlicensed ISM bands, provides a versatile platform suitable for a broad spectrum of applications. LoRa is more versatile with a wider ecosystem, suitable for diverse IoT applications.
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