LoRaWAN Device Classes: A, B and C

  • 9 May 2018
  • 9 reacties
  • 5657 keer bekeken

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The LoRaWAN protocol is capable of transferring sensor data or changing the behavior of an actuator. LoRaWAN can be used for both uplink and downlink messaging and within LoRaWAN there are three traffic categories defined, namely Class A, Class B and Class C.

Class A (default)


Class A is the default device class, used for battery powered sensors or actuators. Each uplink message is followe by two receive slots for downlink messages. Downlink transmissions are queued in network until next uplink creates two receive slots. Between uplink messages and downlink receive windows (RX1 and RX2), the device is in sleep mode and the battery is preserved. Note that the network cannot send a downlink until the device wakes up (triggered by an event on the device like a timer or a sensor threshold).



Class B (Beacon)


Class B communication is based on slotted communication that is synchronized with a network beacon. Currently this feature is not yet enabled in the KPN LoRa network.



Class C (Continuous)


Class C devices always listen between uplink messages. This device class is thus always available for downlink messages, which draines the batteries. Class C devices will thus always be mains powered.


9 reacties

HiLennart,

I noticed that this topic replaces an earlier topic. However, the questions asked about the realisation of Class B remain.

Version 1.1 is available for some time now, but the last update from KPN about Lora Class B is almost 2 months ago.

Can you inform us about the current state of KPN Lora Class B? When is it expected to be live? Are you testing Class B devices at KPN?
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Hi NvG,

You are correct, this question still remains.
Currently the implementation of Class B is not our main focus and I would thus not expect this feature on the short term. Some tests were performed by KPN, but other aspects and features of our service prevail at the moment.

Furthermore I am personally not sure if and when this feature will come available in the LoRa Developer portal. Firstly, we will focus on realising this feature in our commercial network.

Does this answer your question (for now)?

Kind regards,
Lennart

Furthermore I am personally not sure if and when this feature will come available in the LoRa Developer portal. Firstly, we will focus on realising this feature in our commercial network.

Does this answer your question (for now)?


It does, although it is a bit disappointing, to put it mildly. It feels like being taken to a rollercoaster theme park and you are only allowed to ride the merry-go-round once.
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Are Class B or Class C now available in the commercial network?
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Hi @tombuil,

Our network currently supports Class A and Class C. But our preference goes to Class A. Class B is still under development.
Hi @Rick S.

Is there any update on Class B development and roll-out?

Can you say that there are still people working on it? Do you think it will come available at all?
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Hi @NvG

Class B is still on our ‘to do’ list, but still does not have our main focus. Roll-out of the Class B feature is not expected soon. As soon as more is known about the release of Class B in our network, we will make sure to announce it here.
Hi @Rick S.

This does only partly answer the question regarding class B.

KPN is postponing it for quite some time now. Will it ever get KPN's main focus?
Our customers and we see lots of potential in devices using class B, but we are disappointing them for almost 2 years now.
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Hi @NvG ,

I can imagine that this a disapointing answer for you! Unfortunately, we can't say if and when the priority for Class B will change and so if it will be implemented.

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