Term	Definition
6LoWPAN	A fusion of IPv6 (the current Internet protocol), and Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks, it permits power-constrained IoT devices to access the TCP/IP Internet directly. This means that even the smallest and weakest IoT devices can have connectivity.
Access Point	A wireless network device that acts as a portal for devices to connect to a local area network.
Activation	Every end device must be registered with a network before sending and receiving messages. This procedure is known as activation. There are two activation methods available: Over-The-Air-Activation (most secure and most flexible) and Activation By Personalization (least secure and least flexible).
Actuator	A component that is responsible for moving and controlling a mechanism or system, such as opening a valve.
Adaptive Data Rate	Adaptive Data Rate (ADR) is a mechanism for optimizing data rates, airtime and energy consumption in the network. The ADR mechanism controls the following transmission parameters of an end device: * Spreading Factor * Bandwidth * Transmission power
Advanced Encryption Standards	This is an electronic data encryption specification that has been the standard for IoT device transport layer security since 2001.
Application Programming Interface	A method of expediting communication between computers and hardware/software platforms.
Application Server	The application server processes application-specific data messages received from end devices. It also generates all the application-layer downlink payloads and sends them to connected end devices through the network server. A LoRaWAN network can have more than one application server.
Bandwidth	Bandwidth is the range of frequencies occupied by the modulated radio frequency signal. The bandwidth is expressed in Hertz (Hz).
Beacons	Small transmitters that connect to Bluetooth and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE)-enabled devices such as smartphones or tracked packages.
Big Data	Large volumes of information, both structured and unstructured, collected from a massive number of sources and delivered at extremely rapid speed. This information is raw data that is used by analysts to devise better-informed strategies for businesses and other organizations.
Bluetooth Low Energy	A wireless, personal-area network characterized by lower power usage and a limited range for data transmission. It’s also called Bluetooth 4.0.
Cloud Computing	Remote servers connected via a network and used for data storage, processing, and management, instead of relying on a local, in-house physical server.
Contactless	Describes technologies that allow a smart card, mobile phone or other device to connect wirelessly – without contact – to an electronic reader, typically in order to make a payment.
Cyber-physical systems	Integrations of computation, networking and physical processes with feedback loops where physical processes affect computations and vice versa.
Decibel (dB)	The decibel (dB) is a unit of measurement used to express the ratio between quantities on a logarithmic scale. In radio transmission, it is used most often to refer to gain from an antenna with respect to a fixed reference value, and signal-to-noise ratio.
Decibel-milliwatts (dBm)	dBm (decibel-milliwatts) is a unit used to indicate that a power level is expressed in decibels (dB) with reference to an input power of 1 mW.
Device	A device is a unit of physical hardware or equipment that provides one or more computing functions within a system.
Device Classes	The LoRaWAN specification defines three device types - Class A (All), Class B (Beacon), and Class C (Continuous). Class A devices open windows to receive downlinks immediately following an uplink. Class B devices add periodic receive windows. Class C devices listen continuously for downlinks. All LoRaWAN devices must implement Class A, whereas Class B and Class C are extensions to the specification of Class A devices.
Digital twins	A digital replica of physical assets, processes, people, places, systems and devices that can be used for various purposes and integrates historical machine data into a digital model.
Downlink Message	A downlink message is sent by the network server (or application server) to an end device and is relayed by a single gateway.
Effective Isotropic Radiated Power	The Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) is the total power radiated by a hypothetical isotropic antenna in a single direction. EIRP is expressed in dBm or Watts. The maximum allowed EIRP differs between regions.
Embedded Software	The computer software that controls hardware devices and systems that are not usually considered computers, like a smart refrigerator, for instance.
End Device	An end device is a sensor or an actuator that is wirelessly connected to the LoRaWAN network.
eSIM	The embedded SIM (also called eSIM or eUICC) is a secure element designed to remotely manage multiple mobile network operator subscriptions and be compliant with GSMA specifications.
Firmware-Over-The-Air	Also known as FOTA, this technology allows the remote wireless installation, repair, and upgrading of software and services on mobile devices.
Forward Error Correction	Forward error correction is a way of controlling error in noisy data transmission by adding redundant data. The receiver can check the integrity of the data based on the redundant information, and only accepts data which appears to be correct.
Frequency	The frequency of a radio wave is the number of times the wave oscillates per second, measured in hertz. The radio spectrum has frequencies from 30 Hz to 300 GHz. To prevent interference between different users, the generation and transmission of radio waves across the frequency band is strictly regulated by national laws.
Frequency Plan	A Frequency Plan defines data rates and channels which comply with the LoRaWAN Regional Parameters for a band or geographical area. Devices are configured for a particular Frequency Plan as part of activation, and can use any Frequency Plan within a supported band
Gateway	A “hub that translates” communication between two computers or devices that allows these to understand each other´s data transfer and communication.
Geofencing	The use of GPS or RFID technology to create a virtual geographic boundary in which devices can operate.
GIS	Geographic Information System. A system designed to capture, manipulate, analyze, manage and present spatial or geographic data.
GNSS	Global Navigation Satellite System. A constellation of satellites providing signals from space that transmit positioning and timing data to GNSS receivers
GPS	Global Positioning System. A technology created by the US Government that allows for location services.
Haptics	The science of applying tactile sensation and control to interaction with computer applications.
HAV	Hardware-Assisted Virtualisation. The use of a computer’s physical components to support the software that creates and manages virtual machines (VMs).
Hub	A hardware device that connects other data-transmitting devices to a central station.
Hybrid	Usually a mix of Private and Community models. Hybrid models are a union of multiple private networks joined to form a large IoT network. Each new gateway extends connectivity for all members. This levers the benefit of shared IoT infrastructure, as each member at times may use a foreign gateway to transport data. An example is: The Switzercloud.
ICCID	Integrated Circuit Card Identifier. The unique serial number embedded on a SIM card.
IMU	Inertial Measurement Unit. A device that measures and reports a body – such as a drone’s – specific force, angular rate, and sometimes the magnetic field surrounding the body.
Industrial IoT	This is the means for machines and industrial applications to have real-time communication with each other (M2M)
IoT module	A small electronic device embedded in objects, machines and things that connect to wireless networks which sends and receives data.
IP Address	An Internet Protocol Address is a unique designating number assigned to a computer (or other device) that is connected to a network, most notably the Internet
Join Server	The Join Server processes join-request messages sent by end devices. It stores root keys, generates session keys, and transfers those session keys to the network server and the application server. The Join Server is introduced in LoRaWAN 1.1 and 1.0.4.
LIDAR	Light Detction and Ranging. A remote sensing technology which uses the pulse from a laser to collect measurements which can then be used to create 3D models and maps of objects and environments.
LoRa	LoRa is a wireless modulation technique derived from chirp spread spectrum technology. It encodes information on radio waves using chirp pulses - similar to the way dolphins and bats communicate!
Lora Protocol	A long-range digital wireless communication technique to facilitate IoT and M2M communications.
LoRaWAN	LoRaWAN is a Media Access Control (MAC) layer protocol built on top of LoRa modulation. It is a software layer which defines how devices use the LoRa hardware, for example when they transmit, and the format of messages. \nThe LoRaWAN protocol is developed and maintained by the LoRa Alliance®.
Low-Power Wide-Area	A network offering a low range and low power consumption, used primarily for M2M communications.
Low-Power Wireless Sensor Network	A collection of scattered, independent devices that measure environmental or physical conditions, all without significant power consumption.
LTE-M	A more power-efficient standard for machine communications.
Machine-to-Machine	Also known as M2M for short, it’s the process of machines or other connected devices communicating with each other without human intervention.
Mechatronics	Engineering of both electrical and mechanical systems which includes a combination of robotics, electronics, computing, telecoms, systems, control and product engineering.
Media Access Control	A data link layer (DLL) sublayer transmits data packets to and from a network interface card.
Mesh Network	A network system where devices transmit their data while also serving as relays to other nodes.
Mobile IoT	Low power, wide area devices used in conjunction with mobile devices interfacing with IoT networks.
Modem	A hardware device that allows a computer to send and receive data over a telephone line or a cable or satellite connection.
NB-IoT	This stands for Narrow Band IoT and is used as a convenient, cost-effective means of expanding IoT into a whole new series of devices and everyday household items. This is a low-power, wide-area technology, and will be instrumental in increasing the scope of IoT in the years to come.
Near-Field Communication	Otherwise known as NFC, it permits two-way communication between closely located endpoints. It’s a short-range, low-power, low-speed form of radio communication.
Network Server	The Network Server manages the LoRaWAN network. It receives uplink messages from gateways as IP traffic, and routes downlink messages for end devices. The Network Server is also responsible for end device activation, message deduplication, message acknowledgement, geolocation of end devices, and adaptive data rate control of the network.
Noise Floor	The noise floor is the sum of all noise sources in a measurement system. It is typically the size of the smallest unit that can be measured by the system.
Open Community	Also known as Viral networks, are open-community networks aimed to provide free IoT access to everyone. Usually driven by groups of developers and enthusiasts, IoT infrastructure is built by member-donated gateways. Members contribute to providing operations support and also software development. An example is: The Things Network.
Over the Air Activation	This is the most secure activation method for end devices. Devices perform a join procedure with the network, during which a dynamic device address is assigned and security keys are negotiated with the device.
Preamble	The preamble is a set of symbols (or chirps) that is used by the receiver to detect a LoRa packet. LoRaWAN uses a series of 8 up-chirps as a preamble.
Private IoT	A private company, joint project or consortium that builds and manages its own IoT network. The network is not offered to the public. The IoT use case and location of its users define the type and area of coverage. The network is expanded according to the plans of the business. Examples are: Utilities, cities and other businesses.
Public IoT	Radio infrastructure owned and run by telecoms carriers or a 3rd-party operator. Open to the public regionally or nationwide. The operator determines which type (indoor/outdoor) and area (rural, suburban, urban) of coverage to support. Service is sold by subscription and other fees may be charged for example volume of data, number of messages, amount of devices. Examples are: Swisscom, Sigfox, etc
Quality of Service	A measurement of how well a network supports IT connectivity. This covers elements such as transmission delays, availability of connections, and data loss.
Radio Frequency Identification	Commonly called RFID tags, uses electromagnetic coupling and radio frequencies to identify people and things. It has a limited range and data transmission capabilities. The number bibs that runners use in road races, for instance, are equipped with RFID tags to confirm they passed certain course checkpoints.
Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)	The Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) is the received signal power in milliwatts, measured in dBm. This value is used as a measurement of how well the signal is received.
Repeater	A device used to extend network range by receiving a digital signal and re-transmitting it.
RF Geolocation	Otherwise known as using a radio transceiver to find another radio transceiver. The classic example of this is the ever-popular GPS, found in many models of cars.
Router	A hardware device designed to receive, analyse and move incoming IP packets to another network.
Sensor	A device that measures a physical input from its environment and converts it into data that can be interpreted by either a human or a machine.
Sensor/Sensor Network	A device or group of devices that monitor and collect environmental data from a variety of locations in network range.
Signal-to-noise ratio	Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) indicates the ratio between the received power signal and the noise floor power level. SNR is expressed in dB.
Smart Meter	A device used by utility companies to collect information about energy consumption (e.g., electricity, natural gas, water), and transmit the data back to the company or even to the consumer.
SOC	Subscriber Identify Module. A smart card that stores including identity, location, phone number, network authorisation data and security keys that is installed into a wireless device.
Software-Defined Network	A network method that reassigns information flow control from hardware in favor of a software controller.
Spreading Factor	The spreading factor defines a spreading pattern applied to the bitstream before modulation, which increases processing gain and aids in decoding of LoRaWAN messages. LoRaWAN defines 6 spreading factors - SF7 to SF12.
Telematics	A method of monitoring an asset by using GPS and onboard diagnostics to record movements on a computerised map.
Telematics	A computer system designed for long-distance data transmissions, the most ubiquitous example being GPS and satellite radio tech installed in automobiles.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol	Better known as TCP/IP, this is the basic protocol suite for all Internet and private network communications and connections.
Ultra-Wide Band	The UWB is a weak signal sent over a wide frequency and is employed mostly as a localizing signal and distance measurement.
Uplink Message	An uplink message is sent by an end device to the network server and is relayed by one or more gateways.
Wearable	Devices were worn by people and equipped with sensors, monitors, and an Internet connection to gather data regarding the wearer’s activity, life, and environment (e.g., Apple Watch, Fitbit).
Wireless modem	A modem that bypasses the telephone system and connects directly to a wireless network, through which it can directly access the Internet connectivity.
Zigbee/Z-Wave	Used for personal-area networks (PAN), this is a short-range, low-power standard employed for control and sensing, and can also be used to create a more extended range, energy-efficient, low data transfer rate networks.