LoRaWAN
LoRaWAN: Connecting the Parts of Your Factory Wires Can't Reach
Not every sensor a factory needs sits conveniently next to a network cable or a Wi-Fi access point. Storage yards, remote tanks, outdoor equipment and sprawling multi-building sites all present the same problem: running power and network cable to every monitoring point is expensive, slow, or simply impractical. LoRaWAN is the wireless connectivity standard INGSOL uses to solve it, forming part of our technology stack for factories and manufacturing plants of every kind. This page explains what LoRaWAN is, where it fits, and how INGSOL deploys it.
What Is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN, short for Long Range Wide Area Network, is a wireless communication protocol designed for sending small amounts of data over long distances using very little power. It allows battery-powered sensors to transmit readings across a factory site, a yard, or even between buildings, without the range limitations of Wi-Fi or Bluetooth and without the power demands of cellular connectivity.
LoRaWAN is not designed for high-speed or high-volume data, and it does not replace wired networks or Wi-Fi for applications that need them. It occupies a specific, useful niche: infrequent, small readings from sensors that are numerous, spread out, hard to reach, or need to run on battery power for months or years without maintenance.
Why INGSOL Uses LoRaWAN
Long range:
LoRaWAN can reliably transmit data over distances measured in kilometres in open or semi-open industrial environments, far beyond typical Wi-Fi range.
Very low power consumption:
Sensors designed for LoRaWAN can often run for years on a single battery, making them practical for locations where running mains power is impractical.
Cost-effective for wide coverage:
LoRaWAN networks can be deployed with a modest number of gateways covering a wide area, avoiding the cost of extensive cabling or dense Wi-Fi infrastructure.
Good building and obstacle penetration
LoRaWAN signals penetrate typical industrial obstacles reasonably well, including some building structures, which is useful across sprawling or multi-building sites.
Open standard:
As an open wireless standard, LoRaWAN devices and network servers from different manufacturers can interoperate, avoiding dependence on a single proprietary wireless system
Network Servers: The Things Network and ChirpStack
A LoRaWAN deployment needs a network server to manage device connections and route incoming data to the applications that use it. INGSOL deploys this using either The Things Network, a community-based network server suited to distributed or multi-site sensor deployments, or ChirpStack, a self-hosted, open-source alternative for factories that require full control over their network infrastructure on-premises. The choice between them depends on the site’s connectivity requirements, existing infrastructure, and data governance preferences.
Where LoRaWAN Fits in a Factory or Manufacturing Plant
Tank and storage level monitoring:
Liquid, gas and raw material levels in storage tanks located away from the main production area.
Environmental monitoring:
Temperature, humidity and air quality across warehouses, yards and outdoor storage areas.
Remote asset condition monitoring:
Condition monitoring on mobile or remote equipment, such as generators, pumps or compressors located away from wired infrastructure.
Utility and consumption metering:
Utility meters for water, gas or electricity distributed across a site, without running dedicated cabling to each one.
Site security and access sensors:
Access points, gates and perimeter sensors across large sites where a wired security network would be costly to extend.
How LoRaWAN Fits Within the INGSOL Technology Stack
Sensor data collected over LoRaWAN passes through The Things Network or ChirpStack, and is typically routed into ThingsBoard for device management and initial processing, or directly into a Unified Namespace where one is in place. From there, data flows into PostgreSQL and TimescaleDB for storage, with Node-RED handling any protocol translation or routing logic required along the way, and Grafana or Ignition presenting the resulting readings on dashboards alongside data from wired and Wi-Fi connected equipment.
Why Manufacturers Choose INGSOL for LoRaWAN Deployment
Aateway placement, device selection and network configuration are specified around your site's actual layout, obstacles and coverage requirements, not a generic deployment template.
INGSOL works with both The Things Network and self-hosted ChirpStack, so the network architecture matches your data governance and connectivity requirements
LoRaWAN devices are integrated into the same ThingsBoard, Unified Namespace and dashboard architecture used for wired and Wi-Fi sensors, avoiding a separate, disconnected monitoring system.
As an open wireless standard, LoRaWAN avoids dependence on a single proprietary sensor or gateway manufacturer.
INGSOL designs and deploys LoRaWAN networks that bring remote and distributed sensors into your factory's data architecture, without the cost of extending wired infrastructure everywhere. Get in touch to discuss how LoRaWAN fits your technology stack, or a Digital Transformation Maturity Assessment for your plant.
Our Clients
