Sign in Subscribe

What are the potential benefits of using LPWA for asset tracking and logistics?

Last updated on 

Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technologies offer several technical advantages for asset tracking and logistics applications. LPWA refers to a category of wireless communication technologies designed to provide long-range communication with low power consumption. Here are the potential benefits of using LPWA for asset tracking and logistics:

  1. Long Range Communication:
    • LPWA technologies, such as LoRa (Long Range), NB-IoT (Narrowband IoT), and LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines), provide long-range communication capabilities, allowing devices to transmit data over several kilometers.
    • Long-range communication reduces the need for frequent base station deployment, making LPWA suitable for tracking assets across large geographic areas.
  2. Low Power Consumption:
    • LPWA devices are designed to operate with minimal power consumption, enabling them to function for extended periods on battery power.
    • Low power consumption is crucial for asset tracking applications, especially for assets in remote or hard-to-reach locations where frequent battery replacements may be impractical.
  3. Extended Battery Life:
    • The combination of long-range communication and low power consumption results in extended battery life for LPWA-enabled devices.
    • Extended battery life reduces maintenance efforts and operational costs, making LPWA a cost-effective solution for asset tracking over long durations.
  4. Deep Indoor Penetration:
    • LPWA technologies often exhibit good penetration capabilities, allowing signals to penetrate through walls and other obstacles, making them suitable for tracking assets even in challenging indoor environments.
  5. Cost-Effective Infrastructure:
    • LPWA networks require less infrastructure compared to traditional cellular networks, reducing deployment costs.
    • This cost-effectiveness makes LPWA an attractive option for asset tracking solutions, especially in scenarios where the deployment of extensive communication infrastructure may be economically unfeasible.
  6. Scalability:
    • LPWA networks can support a large number of connected devices, making them scalable for widespread deployment in logistics and asset tracking applications.
    • The scalability of LPWA networks accommodates the growing number of connected devices without compromising performance or increasing complexity.
  7. Low Device Cost:
    • LPWA-enabled devices are often less expensive compared to devices using other cellular technologies, making them a cost-effective choice for large-scale deployment in asset tracking and logistics.
  8. Efficient Data Transmission:
    • LPWA technologies are optimized for transmitting small bursts of data at regular intervals, which aligns well with the periodic reporting requirements of many asset tracking applications.
    • Efficient data transmission ensures that relevant information is communicated without unnecessary overhead, conserving both bandwidth and power.