3 ms·

HopeRF modules are a decent example of consumer LoRa hardware. Check the datasheet: https://www.hoperf.com/modules/lora/RFM95.html https://www.hoperf.com/modul

HopeRF modules are a decent example of consumer LoRa hardware. Check the datasheet: https://www.hoperf.com/modules/lora/RFM95.html https://www.hoperf.com/modules/lora/RFM95.html They advertise bit rates of up to 300kbps, but that doesn't tell the whole story. If you look under the LoRa modem section, you'll see that the actual data rate for that kind of modulation tops out at a little less than 10kbps with a high bandwidth and low spreading factor. LoRA is also susceptible to interference. If two packets collide, the CRC will fail and all of the transmitters will need to back off and try again. And usually, higher bandwidth means fewer channels running in parallel. So you might be able to get 1-10kbps between two nearby transceivers, but that probably wouldn't scale well to a mesh network and it's already very slow. It seems like a good technology for pagers and intermittent text messengers, but a full-fledged network with streaming and file-serving seems like a stretch.

Abishek_Muthian 6y ago
Those are key pieces of information, thanks. I wonder how the existing LoRAWAN based mesh networks work for text messaging. Anyways intermittent text messages itself would go a long way for those who are totally unconnected from the rest of the world, say to know whether the child opened their educational device[1] or say SOS from that device.
- meekrohprocess 6y ago
  Yes, I think it's a very exciting technology for sending all kinds of small packeted data around rural areas. Besides messaging, it's also good for having remote stations report their current conditions (e.g. electric fence battery, solar panel status, soil moisture, weather conditions, etc) There are already several companies producing turn-key agricultural monitoring systems like that. But I also think that a big part of why it works well is the lack of congestion in more remote areas.

Abishek_Muthian 6y ago

Those are key pieces of information, thanks. I wonder how the existing LoRAWAN based mesh networks work for text messaging. Anyways intermittent text messages itself would go a long way for those who are totally unconnected from the rest of the world, say to know whether the child opened their educational device[1] or say SOS from that device.

meekrohprocess 6y ago
Yes, I think it's a very exciting technology for sending all kinds of small packeted data around rural areas. Besides messaging, it's also good for having remote stations report their current conditions (e.g. electric fence battery, solar panel status, soil moisture, weather conditions, etc) There are already several companies producing turn-key agricultural monitoring systems like that. But I also think that a big part of why it works well is the lack of congestion in more remote areas.