LoRa Technology
Long-range radio technology connects battery-operated devices wirelessly to deliver information over wide ranges. This IoT innovation enables various applications to transfer data without relying on network providers or consuming significant energy. LoRa is advancing the pest control industry and making it easier for pest control operators to monitor rodent traps with real-time notifications.
Implementing LoRa in your pest control applications can significantly improve your workflow and efficiency. LoRa connects devices and sends long-range alerts to notify pest control operators when traps require attention.
What is LoRa Technology?
LoRa is a wireless radio frequency technology developed by Semtech for low-power, long-range communications. It is part of the Internet of Things because it enables multi-tenant or public networks to use multiple applications operating on the same network without relying on network providers. With LoRa technology, smart IoT applications solve various challenges such as natural resource reduction, energy management, infrastructure efficiency, pollution control, disaster prevention and pest control.
Transmitting data requires a network connection, and LoRa allows people to use non-cellular networks for various applications. The LoRa Alliance developed LoRaWAN®, low-power, wide-area networking that connects battery-operated devices to global, national or regional internet networks.
LoRa chipsets link sensor devices across long distances with minimal energy consumption. The LoRaWAN protocol and LoRa devices offer an energy-efficient way to network multiple sensors, making it easier to receive notifications over long distances while conserving energy.
How Does LoRa Enable Smarter Pest Control?
LoRa provides innovative solutions in various applications, and it is significantly advancing the pest control industry. Woodstream offers Victor® Pest devices for efficient pest control applications, and this VLINK™ technology uses LoRa as its primary connectivity protocol. With LoRa technology, VLINK™ sends messages to the cloud via the VLINK™ network.
Using LoRa technology allows pest control operators to wirelessly connect traps to a central hub. Connected traps can then communicate daily and provide status updates. With LoRa pest control devices, professionals receive real-time activity alerts and use custom analytics and reports to take preventive actions when necessary.
What Is the Difference Between Wi-Fi and LoRa?
LoRa differs from Wi-Fi and cellular connections in a few notable ways. Wi-Fi has a short range, and cellular data requires significant amounts of power to communicate. These technologies also depend on providers, which presents coverage and cost limitations. LoRa is a long-range technology that consumes low power and provides GPS-free geolocation capabilities, making it easier to trace and control assets.
While Wi-Fi and LoRa both share information across devices, LoRa is for devices that transfer less data than cellular phones and computers. Users can create private networks using Wi-Fi or LoRa, but LoRa transmits smaller data packets over longer distances and consumes less power. LoRa can reach areas that cell towers and Wi-Fi cannot.
Does LoRa Need Wi-Fi?
LoRa devices do not require Wi-Fi to communicate with each other, but they can connect to Wi-Fi for cloud connectivity. LoRa does not need Wi-Fi for all applications because it operates on a license-free radio band. Users can access this industrial, medical and scientific radio band anywhere, and there is no monthly charge. Two or more LoRa devices can communicate directly with each other over the radio band.
While LoRa does not require Wi-Fi, users can join it to an internet gateway via Wi-Fi or a wired connection. An internet gateway collects data from LoRa sensors and transfers it to the cloud.
How Does LoRa Work?
LoRa stems from Chirp Spread Spectrum technology, and it uses chirp pulses to encode information on radio waves. This innovative technology transmits across a radio band to share information between battery-operated devices.
Can LoRa Go Through Walls?
Since LoRa connectivity offers deep penetration, it can transmit data through concrete, metal and glass, which allows it to connect devices through walls and across long distances. With LoRa, pest control specialists can monitor multiple devices in their facilities no matter where they place traps.
Can LoRa Work Underwater?
LoRa's deep penetration capabilities also allow it to work underwater. Different applications use it to monitor and analyze water systems and effectively address floods, shortages and environmental regulations.
What Are the Advantages of LoRa in Pest Control Applications?
Pest control is fast and efficient with LoRa technology. LoRa devices can communicate across longer ranges, allowing technicians to set traps in any location and receive alerts when traps require attention. With the ability to receive notifications and trap statuses in real time, your team can avoid wasting time checking empty traps. Then, they are free to complete other essential tasks such as exclusion, cleaning and clearing traps with alerts.
Whether you're visiting your clients or maintaining your company's facilities, LoRa allows you to complete tasks with the ability to wirelessly monitor mouse and rat traps. VLINK™ tunnel and snap traps humanely and reliably kill rodents and send convenient notifications via the LoRa network.
LoRa also enables devices to send notifications when traps need maintenance. With connected devices, you can monitor when you need to replace batteries so devices consistently remain operational.
LoRa Alliance
The LoRa Alliance is a nonprofit association that standardizes low-power wide-area networks for IoT. Membership in this alliance guarantees companies can operate their technology effectively because the LoRa Alliance provides interoperability among nationwide networks.
LoRa gateways can support millions of nodes, and signals can reach significant distances. Being part of the LoRa Alliance means a company can construct and implement a network with minimal infrastructure. LoRa's adaptive data rate algorithm maximizes network capacity and nodes' battery life. The LoRa Alliance also provides network, device and application encryption for secure communications.
Woodstream is a member of the LoRa Alliance, making us part of one of the fastest-growing and largest technology alliances. Only the most effective and trusted organizations that meet the required standards can join the LoRa Alliance, so working with a LoRa Alliance member ensures you have the devices and support you need.
to learn more Utilizing LoRa technology for your pest control applications can increase your company's efficiency. Contact Us
Contact VLINK™ to Learn More
Utilizing LoRa technology for your pest control applications can increase your company's efficiency. VLINK™ remote monitoring technology can supplement your remote monitoring devices, allowing you to receive real-time notifications and check rodent traps only when necessary. With connected devices, you can leave traps to operate effectively and take care of other critical tasks until you receive an alert to check.
LoRa technology can reach wider ranges than Wi-Fi, making it easy to monitor and manage pest control in large facilities or for multiple clients. Contact VLINK™ to learn more about LoRa technology and talk with a sales representative to find the best options for your clients or facilities.