History of the LoRaWAN Layer 2 Specification

To begin, let's start with a quick video:

(Time: 6:49 minutes )

The LoRaWAN specification was originally developed in 2013, before the LoRa Alliance was created, with contributions from Semtech, Actility, and IBM. The aim of this specification was to make the most of a radio technology, called LoRa®, being developed by Semtech.

The specification defines:

  • The standardized encryption format and the creation of the Message Integrity Code (MIC)
  • How a LoRaWAN message should be constructed, both for uplinks and downlinks,
  • How to Join a LoRaWAN network
  • The available MAC commands

The specification also describes the LoRaWAN device classes (A, B, and C), the receive window slots, and much more. With these standards in place, compatible devices can join any LoRaWAN network.

The LoRaWAN Specification, however, does not cover the physical layer. Rather, it concentrates on the layers above, primarily the LoRaWAN Layer 2, that is, the data link layer that includes the traditional logical link control (LLC). The specification also describes the LoRaWAN protocol and provides recommendations for enhancing device security. Note that Layer 2 is often referred to as the MAC layer in LoRaWAN Specifications.

This specification was adopted by the LoRa Alliance and released as LoRaWAN L2 Specification Version 1.0 in January 2015, when the LoRa Alliance was formed. Since then, this standard has undergone a number of revisions and it continues to evolve to enhance the security, scalability, and usability of the technology. These revisions have also added clarity to the specification and added functionality to the standard.

Let’s take a look at the evolution of the specification:


Release Date

Specification Name

Description

January 2015

LW1.0.0
  • Initial formal release of the LoRaWAN Layer 2 specification from the LoRa Alliance. 

Note: This version also included the Regional Parameters information

February 2016

LW1.0.1

  • Clarifications and corrections to the Initial release of the document.

July 2016

LW1.0.2

Regional Parameters 1.0.2RevB

  • Regional parameters were removed from the LoRaWAN specification, and the LoRaWAN Regional Parameters Specification was established as an independent spec

October 2017

LW1.1.0

  • Active Roaming functionality added

July 2018

LW1.0.3

Regional Parameters 1.0.3RevA
  • Updated Class B chapter (from the LoRaWAN1.1 specification)
  • Added the DeviceTimeReq/Ans MAC commands in the Class A chapter (these commands are required for the Class B beacon acquisition).
  • Deprecated MAC commands BeaconTimingReq/Ans
  • Corrected GPS epoch references
  • Corrected various typos
  • Added functionality for firmware updates over-the-air(FUOTA)

November 2019

Regional Parameters RP002-1.0.0

  • Regional Parameters specification first released as RP002-X.x.x document was updated, and the document number set to 1.0.0
  • Document covers both (TS001) LW1.0.x and LW1.1.x specifications
  • Cross-reference table for country channel plan data added 

February 2020

RP002-1.0.1 LoRaWAN® Regional Parameters

  • Parameters for AS923 were modified to support multiple groups of default/join channels. Each country/band supports a specific configuration based on an offset from the original AS923 default/join channels.
  • Channel plan use was defined for: Cuba, Indonesia, Philippines, and Viet Nam

October 2020

LW1.0.4

  • Normative and extensive grammatical clean-up implemented
  • Replaced AppEUI and AppNonce with JoinEUI and JoinNonce
  • Clarified that Class B and Class C modes of operation as an additive to Class A
  • Clarified Class A RX window opening requirements
  • Reference: [RP002] (RP002-1.0.0) as companion document added

November 2020

Regional Parameters RP002-1.0.2

  • Added a summary table of the regional parameters for all regions except CN470.
  • Description of “Repeater Compatible” rationale was added, and US902-928, AU915-928, and CN470-520 maximum payload sizes for “repeater compatible” operation were amended
  • LR-FHSS data rates added to EU868, US915, and AU915. Data rate backoff progression was explicitly documented for all regions.
  • Data rate support requirements clarified for all regions.

May 2021

Regional Parameters RP002-1.0.3

  • Added AS923-4 to cover 917-920 MHz (Israel)
  • Added a clarifying note regarding DR6/DR7 for AS923/IN865
  • Added clarifications for Long-Range Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (LR-FHSS) transmissions

Last modified: Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 11:31 PM