Choosing the right communication protocol is a crucial step for a systems integrator. This technical decision affects not only the profitability of a smart building project but also the smoothness of its deployment in the field. Given the variety of wireless technologies available, two standards consistently emerge as central to these architectures: LoRa Easy and LoRaWAN.
What are the actual differences between these two communication protocols, and how can we determine which one is best suited for a BMS architecture?
Before going into detail about these two approaches, it is important to note a key technical feature of our equipment: Enless sensors can communicate seamlessly in LoRa Easy LoRaWAN mode. The choice of protocol does not restrict the integrator when ordering hardware. The switch is made directly and physically on the product, via a simple jumper or a switch integrated into the circuit board.
Here is a technical breakdown to help you fully understand the strengths of each protocol.
LoRa Easy Proprietary simplicity for seamless integration
The LoRa Easy is a proprietary protocol developed specifically by Enless. Its primary function is to enable communication exclusively between products within our ecosystem (Enless sensors transmitting to an Enless receiver).
For a BMS integrator, this mode is the solution of choice for small- to medium-sized projects, thanks to its highly practical advantages:
- "Plug-and-Play" deployment: This is the key advantage of LoRa Easy. The integrator does not need to develop complex decoding scripts. Data frames from the sensors are natively decoded by the Enless receiver and automatically converted into Modbus tables or BACnet objects. This results in significant time savings during commissioning on the PLC.
- Range optimization: The LoRa Easy protocol LoRa Easy the use of signal repeaters. This feature is highly valued by professionals for bypassing physical obstacles in densely built-up areas, thereby avoiding the need for multiple receivers and complex cabling.
- Design capacity: A LoRa Easy receiver LoRa Easy designed to communicate with up to 50 Enless sensors.
- A cost-effective solution: This mode allows you to create a robust local network without any subscription or recurring license fees.
LoRaWAN: The open standard designed for interoperability
Unlike our proprietary LoRa Easy solution, LoRaWAN is a standardized, open communication protocol certified by the LoRa Alliance. It was designed to enable sensors from different manufacturers to communicate over a unified network.
In a LoRaWAN architecture, the integrator can choose between two models:
Private LoRaWAN: More commonly used in building BMS, this model involves installing a building-specific infrastructure using LoRaWAN gateways, thereby eliminating subscription costs.
Public LoRaWAN: Sensor data is transmitted to operator-managed networks (telecom operator antennas). This model requires a subscription fee for each sensor deployed.
The Enless LoRaWAN Gateway
To meet the demands of large-scale construction projects, Enless has developed a Private LoRaWAN Gateway. This offers different capabilities compared to the LoRa Easy receiver LoRa Easy
- Ten times the capacity: This gateway can process data from 500 sensors simultaneously.
- The real benefit of interoperability: This is where LoRaWAN truly shines. The Enless Gateway doesn’t just process data from our own sensors; it can also receive and process data from sensors made by other brands. This allows the integrator to aggregate Enless room sensors, water meters from another manufacturer, or specific presence detectors onto a single device.
In conclusion, if an integrator’s goal is to quickly deploy a medium-sized site with around 50 sensors and immediate Modbus/BACnet translation, the LoRa Easy mode will be the choice for operational performance. On the other hand, for a large-scale commercial project involving hundreds of measurement points and the need to integrate multiple sensor brands on the same radio infrastructure, LoRaWAN will naturally be the preferred choice thanks to its high flexibility and interoperability.
