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As Internet of Things (IoT) continues to develop, more quantities of enterprises begin to seek its help for efficiency boosting. Choosing the right technology is crucial for ensuring these IoT solutions’ effectiveness. Among the options available, Bluetooth and LoRa stand out as two important technologies, each owning unique strengths and limitations. However, facing the complexities of practical environments often needs compromise between these two.

To achieve optimal tracking solutions, MOKO SMART, the leading IoT hardware solution manufacturer, and RAKwireless, pioneering in LoRaWAN connectivity, have joint force to introduce a LoRaWAN-BLE Beacon hybrid solution. This innovation combines the advantages of Bluetooth and LoRa technology to provide customers with a better IoT tracking option.

This article delves into the strengths of Bluetooth and LoRa in diverse environments, highlighting their practical challenges, and also exploring how our innovative hybrid solution assist in getting improved tracking solutions.

Bluetooth vs. LoRa: Strengths in Diverse Environments

When encountering complex environments that require high precision, one possible option we consider first might be Bluetooth solution. As we all know, Bluetooth technologies are generally applied in indoor situations demanding high precision. Although Bluetooth solutions have abilities to handle these needs related to precision, they are not ideal applied in complex or large-scale areas, such as large warehouses, hospitals or campuses. One key reason could be the practical transmission distance of Bluetooth technologies is approximate 100 meters generally. This means deploying beacons in large environments requires a dense network of Bluetooth gateways. Such a deployment will not only lead to high costs, but also pose great challenges in gateway management.

Focused on the complex environment, the LoRa solution might come to our minds. LoRa technology is known for its excellent transmission range, usually reaching 2 to 5 kilometers in general environments. In the suburb or more open areas, the distance can reach 15 kilometers. Such solution has no problem in handling large or complex spaces, but when it comes to the precision, LoRa can only reach an accuracy range to 20 to 200 meters.

Bluetooth or Lora: Practical Challenges in Complex Situations

To be more specific, let’s take some practical examples to get a much clearer view of these challenges in our real life. Firstly, consider a hospital scenario aiming to carry out an IoT system to accurately monitor its patients and valuable assets. The hospital’s large size and complex layout make it challenging to choose an appropriate technology. Bluetooth technology can satisfy the precision needs as it offers room-level precision. However, the entire system would be costly and hard to manage due to the need for numerous gateways for receiving data. On the other side, LoRa is capable for extensive coverage but lacks necessary precision for emergency cases.

Another example worth mentioning is the logistic tracking, especially for the global scale. It is vital for logistics companies to track packages from multiple warehouses to their final destinations, spanning complex indoor and outdoor environments. Also, high-standard real-time data is crucial for some valuable goods like vaccines. Traditional systems including Bluetooth or LoRa solution might struggle with balancing cost and precision. High-precision Bluetooth technology is costly for large volumes, while LoRa offers wide coverage but lacks necessary precision in indoor warehouses or delivery vehicles.

Bluetooth & LoRa: A Hybrid Pioneer in Addressing Challenges

Such situations do frequently occur in our life. Employing one traditional IoT system means businesses need to make trade-offs between cost and precision. Both of these two factors are critical that may hinder tracking capabilities. Have seen the pinpoints, MOKO SMART and RAKwireless have collaborated to develop an innovative LoRaWAN-BLE Beacon Hybrid Solution to the IoT landscape. Aiming to strike a balance between cost and precision, this hybrid solution combines both Bluetooth and LoRa technologies to reach both cost-effectiveness and high precision, which can be used for various industries.

In the challenging and complex environment of construction sites, this hybrid solution stands out. The BLE H7 Helmet Tag, easily attached to workers’ helmets, provides high-level precision monitoring of personnel safety. This innovative beacon utilizes Bluetooth technology to collect real-time data, which is then transmitted to the LW003 Gateway via Bluetooth. Acting as a bridge between Bluetooth and LoRa, this gateway delivers this data to the RAK7289 LoRaWAN gateway. Thanks to its LoRa technology capabilities, RAK7289 efficiently collects and stores the data over vast areas. Subsequently, the data is conveyed to application server via network server.This combination reaches a great balance between cost-effectiveness and high precision, making it an ideal solution for construction sites. By integrating Bluetooth technology, this solution achieves a high level of precision, which is crucial for ensuring the personnel safety. The accuracy and reliability of robust Bluetooth beacons enable precise monitoring, reducing the risk of emergency accidents. Furthermore, LoRa technology greatly reduces costs by utilizing fewer gateways comparing to single Bluetooth technology solution. This reduction in infrastructure not only saves the initial investments, but also minimizes future maintenance costs. Ultimately, this integration of Bluetooth and LoRa technologies contributes to a safer and more efficient working environment.

The fundamental method behind this solution is the integration of Bluetooth beacons with a Bluetooth to LoRa bridge, and then connected to a LoRa gateway. Such methodology is not limited to the construction sites, but also various complex tracking scenarios, ranging from accurate emergency locating in large campuses to real-time tracking in supply chains. Combing the strengths of both Bluetooth and LoRa technologies, this dual-technology approach is aimed to achieve a more efficient and accurate data collection with less costs, which marks a significant step to create a better IoT monitoring solution.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Bluetooth and LoRa Collaboration

Faced complex environments in real life, the collaboration between Bluetooth and LoRa is poised to handle these challenges. This hybrid solution introduced by MOKO SMART and RAKwireless stands as a pioneer for future innovations, demonstrating how the combination of different technologies addresses challenges in balancing cost and precision. With further development, we expect more robust hybrid solutions catering to diverse needs. As IoT gains more popularity, the seamless integration of Bluetooth and LoRa will undoubtedly play a vital role in enhancing efficiency, safety, and overall performance in countless applications.

About MOKO:

MOKO SMART is a leading manufacturer and provider of ODM, OEM, and IoT devices in China. The company specializes in IoT technology and offers a comprehensive range of products, including Bluetooth Low Energy, LoRaWAN, Wi-Fi, RFID, GPS, LTE, UWB, and other wireless technologies. MOKO SMART’s commitment to innovation and diverse wireless solutions paves the way toward a connected future.

About RAKwireless:

As a leading network provider for LoRaWAN, RAKwireless goes beyond offering hardware. It empowers solution creators with tools and platforms to build, manage, and maintain IoT networks seamlessly. From WisDM fleet management system to modular gateway designs, RAKwireless makes it easier for solution creators to focus on delivering value to customers worldwide.