Introduction to LoRaWAN Asset Tracking Using the Helium Network
Advantages of LoRaWAN devices and the Helium Network for asset tracking
Asset trackers operating on the LoRaWAN network offer the best optimization of both long transmission range and low power as compared to the other commonly used network options (cellular or BLE). The rapidly expanding coverage of the Helium network in many cities and urban areas makes LoRaWAN city-wide asset tracking a viable alternative to traditional cellular applications like vehicle tracking. Even in small towns or rural areas without existing coverage, it is possible to deploy new LoRaWAN compatible gateways, like Helium Hotspots, to provide neighborhood or town coverage.
The low cost, smaller size, and longer battery life of LoRaWAN trackers are enabling new applications like equipment tracking and theft recovery that traditional cellular devices were not able to address. Furthermore, the simple data-credit-based network access fees of the Helium network offer much lower network usage fees than cellular.
LoRaWAN trackers using the Helium network do not rely on the presence of a nearby mobile phone running a special app to relay messages. So unlike the BLE tracking solutions, a bike left in a park or at school after hours would still be able to be located even if there are no nearby mobile phones. Therefore, personal trackers based on the LoRaWAN standard have more consistent fixed network coverage and can be placed in remote areas.