LoRa, Sigfox, and NB-IoT: An Empirical Comparison for IoT LPWAN Technologies in the Agribusiness
Juan Pablo Becoña, Marcel Grané, Matías Miguez, Alfredo Arnaud
Abstract
In this work, three battery-powered, custom IoT sensor nodes for the agribusiness, are presented: firstly, a Sigfoxbased temperature-humidity index (THI) sensor to monitor the impact of heat stress in livestock, then a LoRaWAN version of an estrus detection collar for dairy farms, and finally a NB-IoT lowpower. A-GPS geolocation device for animals. Detailed power consumption measurements are presented and compared to highlight the benefits of each LPWAN technology for the industry. The measured energy to transmit a single 10Byte payload packet was 90mJ, 20mJ, and 90mJ for Sigfox, LoRa, and NB-IoT respectively. With an adequate power management strategy, the nodes could operate up to 10years in the case of the THI and estrus detector, and >1yr in the case of the GPS tracker, powered by a single 1900mA·h LiSOCl2 battery.