Evaluation of next-generation low-power communication technology to replace GSM in IoT-applications

Abstract

The large demand for smart metering and control, asset tracking, remote monitoring, and other applications has resulted in the emergence of innovative new internet of things (IoT) low-power wide-area networks (LPWANs) featuring low power consumption, low cost, high scalability and low data rate transmissions. This article compares the performance of LoRaWAN, Sigfox, and NB-IoT as emerging technologies, in terms of power consumption, throughput, scalability, and range. For practical reasons, the comparison also includes cellular GPRS. Although GPRS does not fit the description of LPWAN technologies, it is a legacy method for IoT communications and provides insight into application areas where LPWAN technology can be applied. The study gives a clear comparative overview of the advantages and shortcomings of the various communication networks and highlights the most suitable applications cases for each technology on the basis of the tested metrics.