Academy for LoRaWAN®

Gateways require software that forwards the LoRaWAN packets they receive from end devices to the network server, and that can transmit packets received from the network server back to the end devices. This software is called a packet forwarder, and its purpose is twofold:

• It interacts with the LoRa concentrator board and with the LoRaWAN network server.
• It sends beacon signals to synchronize the internal clocks of end devices on the network. This not only allows those devices to operate in Class B mode as necessary, it also is useful for synchronizing a multicast group when it is necessary to update device firmware over the air.

The Semtech UDP Packet Forwarder

The UDP packet forwarder, also referred to as the legacy packet forwarder, is the first of its kind. It was built and is maintained by Semtech. It uses UDP connections to transfer LoRaWAN packets from the gateway to the network server and vice versa.

This software is widely used in the industry, and many gateway manufacturers preinstall the UDP packet forwarder on their gateways. However, this software does have some drawbacks. Most importantly, the link between the gateway and the network server is not encrypted. If the messages between the two are intercepted during transport, the metadata can be read and the content modified. Another issue with the UDP packet forwarder is that UDP can be unreliable because there are no guarantees or confirmation from the UDP protocol that the data is actually received.

LoRa Basics™ Station

Fortunately, Semtech now offers a new packet forwarder: LoRa Basics™ Station. Released in early 2019, LoRa Basics Station uses secure WebSockets to communicate, allowing data to be encrypted as it moves between the gateway and the network server.

When deploying a large number of gateways, managing them can be very challenging. In many cases, physical access is required in order to update a gateway’s firmware, to change the network server provider, or to change the frequency plan used. To address these challenges, LoRa Basics Station comes with a Configuration and Update Server (CUPS), which allows users to manage and update these settings easily. CUPS also allows users to access individual gateways remotely.

Learn more about LoRa Basics Station.

Gateway Reference Designs

Semtech provides a marketplace for a variety of reference designs. These designs can be found in the Developer Kits  area of the LoRa Developer Portal. Of particular interest is the Gateway Reference Design. Available for US and EU ISM bands, it is based on the SX1302 and SX1250 chipsets and is dedicated to indoor applications.

Building Your Own Gateway

While there are quite a few gateways available off-the-shelf, you can also build your own. It’s not that difficult, and is a fantastic way to develop a solid understanding of the technology. If you are interested in giving it a try, the hands-on lab Build an End-to-End Solution Using the LoRaWAN® Protocol and the LoRa Edge LR1110 provides easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions in the section titled Build the Gateway.