Choosing the Right Gateway for Your Deployment
Indoor vs outdoor, 8-channel vs 64-channel - learn how to select the right LoRaWAN gateway for your use case.
Selecting the right gateway is crucial for your LoRaWAN deployment success. This guide helps you navigate the key decision factors.
Indoor vs Outdoor
Indoor gateways are suitable for: Building automation, Warehouse monitoring, Indoor asset tracking. Outdoor gateways are needed for: Agricultural deployments, Smart city applications, Wide-area coverage.
Channel Capacity
8-channel gateways work well for: Small deployments (< 500 sensors), Low message frequency, Budget-conscious projects. 16/64-channel gateways are better for: Dense sensor deployments, High message frequency, Mission-critical applications.
Backhaul Options
Consider connectivity options: Ethernet - most reliable, lowest latency. Cellular (4G/LTE) - flexible placement, moderate cost. WiFi - convenient but less reliable. Satellite - for truly remote locations.
Power Requirements
Power availability affects gateway selection: PoE - simplifies installation where Ethernet is available. Solar - essential for remote outdoor deployments. Mains power - most reliable for permanent installations. Battery backup - critical for high-availability deployments.
Key Specifications to Compare
When evaluating gateways, compare: Receiver sensitivity, Transmit power, Number of channels, GPS capability (for geolocation), Price and total cost of ownership, Vendor support and warranty.
Recommended Vendors
We work with leading gateway manufacturers including Kerlink, MultiTech, RAK Wireless, and Laird Connectivity. Contact us for specific recommendations based on your requirements.