The Potential of RAK3172 for LoRaWAN-Enabled Connected Lighting in Smart Cities and Industries
At RAKwireless, we see demand for lighting applications for our LoRa and LoRaWAN modules specially on RAK3172 which supports custom firmware via RUI3. Priced at 5.99USD per piece, we sold hundreds of thousands of this module to customers focused on lighting applications.
By integrating wireless connectivity, especially LoRaWAN, into lighting management, innovative IoT deployments are being implemented in Smart Cities, Smart Farms, Smart Factories, and other industry verticals. The constant innovation in lighting combines with IoT technology to achieve better efficiency in energy consumption and operational aspects.
The Motivation for Smart Lighting Infrastructure
For a long time, the common way to automate lighting, especially for outdoor applications, was the integration of a device known as a "photocell." This classic device contains a major component called the Light Dependent Resistor or Photoresistor. It is a component that changes its resistance value when photons of light hit its sensing surface. This simple automation provides energy savings by automatically turning on lights during nighttime or in conditions where ambient light is too low due to dark clouds or bad weather. However, with the cost-effective rollout and deployment of unlicensed band LoRaWAN wireless infrastructure, as well as low-cost LoRa embedded modules, innovative companies find it attractive to offer lighting management solutions to their clients.
The Demand for LoRa and LoRaWAN Modules in Smart Lighting
The reasons for the increasing traction of LoRa and LoRaWAN in smart lighting applications are the drop in cost, ease of development, and technology maturity. LoRa modulation has the advantage of long-range wireless capability. After many years, it has become cheaper to develop a LoRaWAN end-device. For example, using the RAK3172 WisDuo module, which costs only 5.99 USD with no minimum order requirement, IoT developers can leverage the RUI3 firmware development framework. This framework makes it easier to develop firmware directly on the module without the need for an external microcontroller, saving costs, reducing current consumption, and optimizing PCB space in the overall board design. These factors increase the demand for the RAK3172 WisDuo Module in LoRa and LoRaWAN applications.
Four Benefits of Connected Lighting
One of the significant features of a connected lighting infrastructure is the ability to remotely control lighting fixtures and luminaires. In addition to the standard on/off switch, you can control other parameters of the lighting fixtures, especially if they support features such as dimming or color temperature changes.
The long-range capability of LoRa modules is well-suited for applications where lighting deployments need to cover a large area.
The second benefit of connected lighting is energy efficiency. With connected lighting, you can create zones where unnecessary lighting can be turned off. You also have the option to dim light zones if necessary. This level of control allows you to save energy costs and optimize the use of your lighting fixtures.
The third benefit is smart diagnostics and maintenance. It is common to replace damaged lamps and repair light fixtures.
However, by implementing remote monitoring, the need for regular maintenance visits by technical staff can be eliminated if everything is functioning properly. This not only saves on manpower costs but also ensures more efficient repair schedules. It is common for smart lighting deployments to have energy monitoring and light sensors on its output to indicate the status of the lighting fixture. The fourth benefit is the data and reports generation.
With cloud connectivity and integration into different IoT platforms, smart lights can provide real-time reports for data analysis and overall assessment of the lighting installation. This is particularly useful for businesses seeking to streamline their operations.
