A LoRaWAN Gateway serves as the central communication bridge between LoRa end devices (nodes) and the LoRaWAN network server (LNS), enabling long-range, low-power IoT deployments. Depending on the model, gateways can be single-channel (development/testing) or multi-channel (standard 8-channel or higher).

• Single-Channel LoRaWAN Gateway:
  Primarily for development, testing, and academic research, these low-cost gateways handle one frequency channel and one spreading factor at a time. While not suitable for production-grade deployments, they provide an affordable entry point for learning, prototyping, and small-scale IoT experiments.

• 8-Channel LoRaWAN Gateway:
  Designed for full-scale deployments, multi-channel gateways can simultaneously handle multiple frequencies and spreading factors, allowing thousands of devices to connect in real-time. They are equipped with high-performance concentrator chips (e.g., Semtech SX1302/1303), Ethernet/Wi-Fi/4G backhaul, and advanced network server support.

Technical Specifications (typical models):

• Frequency Band: 865–867 MHz (India ISM band), EU868, US915 (region-specific variants)

• Single-Channel Gateways:

  • Frequency: Fixed (e.g., 865.2 MHz)

  • Modulation: LoRa / FSK

  • Channels: 1

  • Connectivity: USB or Ethernet to host PC/Raspberry Pi

  • Use: Development, lab testing

• 8-Channel Gateways:

  • Channels: 8 uplink + 1 downlink

  • Modulation: LoRa / FSK

  • Sensitivity: -137 dBm (typical)

  • Transmission Power: up to +27 dBm

  • Backhaul: Ethernet, Wi-Fi, optional 4G/LTE

  • Processor: Embedded Linux (ARM/MCU-based)

  • Interfaces: Ethernet, USB, GPIO, GPS for geo-location

  • OS Support: Linux, Raspberry Pi, NVIDIA Jetson integration via SPI/USB

• Power Supply: 5V DC (USB) for dev kits; 12V DC/PoE for industrial gateways

• Network Server Compatibility: The Things Network (TTN), ChirpStack, AWS IoT Core for LoRaWAN

Features:

• Single-channel: Affordable, easy to set up, ideal for prototyping

• 8-channel: Carrier-grade reliability, supports hundreds to thousands of nodes

• Long-range coverage: 2–5 km (urban), up to 10–15 km (rural line-of-sight)

• Secure communication: AES-128 encryption per LoRaWAN standard

• Scalable architecture with public or private LoRaWAN networks

Common Research & IoT Use Cases:

• IoT Development: Testing end devices, sensor nodes, and edge computing setups

• Smart Agriculture: Soil moisture, crop health, livestock tracking

• Smart Cities: Air quality monitoring, street lighting, parking sensors

• Industrial IoT: Asset tracking, predictive maintenance, supply chain monitoring

• Academic Research: Low-power networking, distributed IoT systems, protocol optimization

• Rural Connectivity Projects: Remote monitoring in villages and farms

The LoRaWAN Gateway (single or multi-channel) is an essential tool for IoT developers, researchers, and startups working on long-range, low-power wireless communication in India and worldwide.