LoraWAN™ Message and End-Device Types

LoraWAN™ Message Types

  • Downlink – Transmission of a packet from a gateway to an end-device is known as downlink. These transmissions can be requested by a network or application server.
  • Uplink – Transmission of a packet from the end-device to a gateway is known as uplink.

LoraWAN End-Device Types

Battery Powered - Class A (All Devices)

Every transaction in a Class A end-device starts with an uplink transmission, which is then followed by two downlink-receive windows. The network server sends the downlink message after receiving the uplink. At the end of the downlink message, the end-device enters Sleep mode, thereby saving power. Therefore, Class A devices consume the least power and provide a long battery life. All LoraWAN end-devices support Class A by default. The following figure shows the data transmission and reception sequence for a typical Class A end-device:

ClassA.png
Class A Tx/Rx sequence

Low Latency - Class B (Beacon)

In Class A, the downlink is non-deterministic since it depends on random uplinks from a sleeping end-device. In Class B, the end-device reduces the downlink latency by opening periodic downlink receive windows. The periodicity of the downlink windows is maintained by synchronizing the clocks of the end-device and the network server. For the synchronization, the network server commands the gateways to send a beacon at regular intervals. During uplink, the Class B end-device behaves similarly to a Class A end-device. The Class B end-device manages to reduce power consumption and yet reduces the downlink latency. The following figure shows the data transmission and reception sequence for a typical Class B end-device:

ClassB.png
Class B Tx/Rx sequence

No Latency - Class C (Continuous)

Except for the uplink period, the end-device in Class C continuously opens the receive windows, which reduces latency, but increases its power consumption considerably. The following figure shows the data transmission and reception sequence for a typical Class C end-device:

ClassC.png
Class C Tx/Rx sequence

  Return to Top

© 2020 Microchip Technology, Inc.
Notice: ARM and Cortex are the registered trademarks of ARM Limited in the EU and other countries.
Information contained on this site regarding device applications and the like is provided only for your convenience and may be superseded by updates. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application meets with your specifications. MICROCHIP MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WRITTEN OR ORAL, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, RELATED TO THE INFORMATION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ITS CONDITION, QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR PURPOSE. Microchip disclaims all liability arising from this information and its use. Use of Microchip devices in life support and/or safety applications is entirely at the buyer's risk, and the buyer agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Microchip from any and all damages, claims, suits, or expenses resulting from such use. No licenses are conveyed, implicitly or otherwise, under any Microchip intellectual property rights.