What is Long Range LPWAN?

Long Range LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technologies are designed for low-bandwidth, low-power, long-distance communication, making them ideal for large-scale IoT and M2M deployments. These networks transmit small data packets over distances of several kilometers while consuming minimal energy, significantly extending device battery life. Unlike traditional high-bandwidth cellular systems, LPWAN technologies—such as LoRa, Sigfox, and NB-IoT—support massive numbers of devices with minimal infrastructure.

LPWAN can be effectively integrated with other identification and communication technologies like RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy). RFID provides accurate identification and authentication of objects, and BLE enables short-range communication for proximity-based applications. When combined, these technologies extend data collection capabilities to wide areas while retaining local sensing precision.

This hybrid approach enables seamless connectivity between localized sensors and remote servers, critical for applications in smart cities, industrial IoT, asset tracking, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. LPWAN’s low power demands and extended reach make it a cornerstone for scalable, reliable, and energy-efficient IoT systems.

International Standards for Long Range LPWAN

Long Range LPWAN technologies adhere to several global standards for interoperability, security, and reliable communication. GAO RFID Inc.’s LPWAN-based systems are engineered to meet or exceed these international standards:

• LoRaWAN Specification by LoRa Alliance
• ETSI EN 300 220 (Short Range Devices – radio equipment) – European standard for RF communications.
• 3GPP Release 13 for NB-IoT and LTE-M – Standardized by the international mobile telecom industry.
• IEEE 802.15.4k – Low energy, low-data-rate wireless standard for wide area sensor networks.

U.S. and Canadian Regulations for Long Range LPWAN

GAO RFID designs and supplies Long Range LPWAN solutions that fully comply with key telecommunications and RF regulations across North America:

United States Regulations

• FCC Part 15 – Unlicensed transmissions (including ISM bands for LPWAN use)
• FCC Certification for IoT Devices

Canadian Regulations

• Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) – RSS-210 (Low-power license-exempt radio gear)
• Canadian Device Certification (ISED)

Our Long Range LPWAN systems are pre-certified to meet these standards, ensuring fast deployment and regulatory peace of mind.

Applications of Long Range LPWAN

Long Range LPWAN is ideal for a spectrum of industry-specific applications, particularly where long-range communication, low power consumption, and cost-effective deployment are critical. GAO RFID helps clients implement LPWAN across:

• Smart Agriculture: Monitor soil moisture, crop health, and livestock movement.
• Smart Cities: Enable smart lighting, parking, and environmental sensors.
• Asset Tracking and Fleet Management: Track assets, containers, logistics, and vehicles in real-time.
• Industrial Automation: Manage remote sensors and devices in energy, mining, and manufacturing.
• Utility Monitoring: Automatic meter readings for gas, water, and electricity consumption.
• Structural Health Monitoring: Monitor remote infrastructures like bridges or pipelines.
• Environmental Monitoring: Deploy weather stations and water quality sensing networks over large areas.
• Campus & Facility Management: Integrate with RFID/BLE systems for hybrid building monitoring solutions.

With GAO’s technology, Long Range LPWAN systems can be tailored and integrated with RFID and BLE to deliver secure, scalable solutions for complex IIoT environments.

GAO Case Studies

United States

• Houston, Texas, U.S.
  GAO deployed an LPWAN-enabled RFID and BLE integrated system for real-time equipment tracking across a multi-acre oilfield service depot, improving asset utilization rates.
• Palo Alto, California, U.S.
  A leading university utilized our LPWAN technology to create a smart agriculture testbed, monitoring soil moisture and environmental conditions across experimental fields.
• Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
  Our LPWAN integrated with BLE tags to support large-scale people flow analytics in a civic infrastructure project, optimizing building access and emergency response protocols.
• Orlando, Florida, U.S.
  GAO implemented LPWAN RFID readers in a transportation logistics hub to trace container inventory movements across a 24/7 operational facility.
• Denver, Colorado, U.S.
  A fleet management company leveraged GAO’s LPWAN-based tracking system to monitor long-distance fleet assets, reducing fuel overhead and boosting route efficiency.
• Seattle, Washington, U.S.
  LPWAN sensors were deployed in a large manufacturing plant to monitor temperature and humidity conditions crucial for material-sensitive production lines.
• Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
  A citywide smart parking solution was piloted using GAO’s LPWAN modules for real-time space occupancy and automated meter enforcement.
• Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
  In a large-scale agricultural site, we installed a network of LPWAN soil sensors and irrigation controllers, saving water and increasing yield predictability.

Canada

• Toronto, Ontario, Canada
  GAO RFID’s LPWAN network was installed across a university campus for indoor and outdoor environmental monitoring, integrating BLE and RFID data for real-time visualization via a custom dashboard.