Introduction to Dragino LoRaWAN
If you're building an IoT network that needs to cover long distances with minimal power consumption, LoRaWAN technology is your answer. And when it comes to affordable, reliable LoRaWAN hardware, Dragino stands out as a leading manufacturer.
This comprehensive guide covers everything about Dragino's product range: from indoor/outdoor gateways to specialized sensor nodes for temperature, GPS tracking, soil moisture, and more.
What is LoRaWAN?
LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a wireless communication protocol designed for IoT devices that need to transmit small amounts of data over very long distances while consuming minimal battery power.
Key advantages of LoRaWAN:
- Long range - 2-15km in rural areas, 1-5km in cities
- Low power - Sensors can run on batteries for 5-10 years
- Low cost - Simple hardware, no SIM cards or monthly fees
- Penetration - Signals pass through buildings and underground
- Scalability - One gateway handles thousands of devices
- Security - End-to-end AES128 encryption
🆚 LoRaWAN vs Other IoT Technologies
- vs WiFi: Much longer range, lower power, but slower data rate
- vs Cellular (4G/LTE): No monthly fees, better battery life, but lower bandwidth
- vs Zigbee/BLE: 100x longer range, but requires gateway infrastructure
- vs LoRa (P2P): LoRaWAN adds network protocol, security, and scalability
The Dragino Ecosystem
Dragino offers a complete LoRaWAN solution with three main product categories:
1. Gateways
Connect LoRaWAN sensors to the internet. Think of them as WiFi routers for LoRa devices.
- • LPS8 (Indoor, 8-channel)
- • DLOS8 (Outdoor, 8-channel)
- • LG308 (Outdoor, 8-channel, 4G)
2. Sensor Nodes
Battery-powered devices that measure and transmit data wirelessly.
- • LHT65 (Temp/Humidity)
- • LSN50v2 (Waterproof, customizable)
- • LGT-92 (GPS tracker)
- • LSE01 (Soil moisture)
3. DIY Modules
Shields and modules for building custom LoRaWAN devices with Arduino/Raspberry Pi.
- • LoRa Shield for Arduino
- • LoRa/GPS HAT for RPi
- • LoRa Bee modules
Dragino Gateways Comparison
Choosing the right gateway is crucial for your LoRaWAN network. Here's a detailed comparison:
| Model | LPS8 | DLOS8 | LG308 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Indoor | Outdoor | Outdoor |
| Channels | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Connectivity | WiFi, Ethernet | Ethernet, WiFi | 4G, WiFi, Ethernet |
| Power | 5V/1A USB | 12V/1A DC or PoE | 12V DC or Solar |
| Range | 1-3 km urban | 3-5 km urban, 10-15 km rural | 3-5 km urban, 15+ km rural |
| IP Rating | None | IP65 | IP65 |
| GPS | No | Optional | Yes |
| Best For | Home, office, testing | Building rooftops, fixed installations | Remote areas, agriculture, no internet |
| Price | ~€100-120 | ~€150-180 | ~€300-400 |
💡 Gateway Recommendation
Start with LPS8 if: You're testing, learning, or deploying indoors in a small area (office, home, warehouse).
Choose DLOS8 if: You need outdoor coverage for a neighborhood, campus, or industrial site with existing internet.
Go for LG308 if: You're deploying in remote areas without internet (farms, forests, islands) and need 4G backhaul.
Dragino Sensor Nodes Overview
Dragino offers a wide range of pre-built sensor nodes for different applications:
Temperature & Humidity Sensors
LHT65 - Temperature & Humidity
- Range: -40°C to +85°C, 0-100% RH
- Battery: 2x AAA, 5-10 years life
- Ports: External sensor inputs
- Use: Indoor/outdoor environmental monitoring
- Price: ~€40-50
LSN50v2 - Waterproof Multi-Sensor
- Rating: IP67 waterproof
- Battery: 8000mAh, 10+ years
- Ports: GPIO, ADC, I2C, UART
- Use: Custom sensor integration
- Price: ~€60-70
Tracking & Location
LGT-92 - GPS Tracker
- GPS: High-sensitivity GPS module
- Sensors: 3-axis accelerometer
- Battery: 1000mAh rechargeable
- Modes: Motion detection, geofencing
- Use: Asset tracking, vehicles, livestock
- Price: ~€80-100
Agriculture & Environmental
LSE01 - Soil Moisture Sensor
- Measures: Soil moisture, temp, EC
- Probe: Stainless steel, corrosion-resistant
- Battery: 2x ER14505, 5+ years
- Use: Smart irrigation, agriculture
- Price: ~€70-80
LLMS01 - Leaf Moisture Sensor
- Measures: Leaf wetness, air temp/humidity
- Application: Plant disease prevention
- Battery: 2x ER14505, 5+ years
- Use: Greenhouses, vineyards, orchards
- Price: ~€80-90
Setting Up Your LoRaWAN Network
Getting started with Dragino LoRaWAN is straightforward. Here's the complete workflow:
Step 1: Choose Your Network Server
You need a Network Server to manage your LoRaWAN devices. Three main options:
The Things Network (TTN)
✅ Free, community-run
✅ Great for learning
⚠️ Limited commercial use
ChirpStack
✅ Self-hosted, open-source
✅ Full control
⚠️ Requires server management
Commercial (AWS, Loriot)
✅ Managed, scalable
✅ Enterprise support
⚠️ Monthly costs
Step 2: Configure Your Gateway
- Connect to gateway - Access web interface (default IP: 10.130.1.1)
- Configure network - Set WiFi/Ethernet connection
- Select server - Enter TTN or ChirpStack server details
- Set region - EU868, US915, AU915, etc.
- Save & reboot - Gateway connects to network server
Step 3: Register Your Sensors
Each sensor needs three IDs for LoRaWAN:
- DevEUI - Unique device ID (printed on sensor label)
- AppEUI/JoinEUI - Application identifier
- AppKey - Encryption key (OTAA) or device address (ABP)
Step 4: Configure Sensor Settings
Use Dragino's configuration tool (AT commands via USB) to set:
- Transmission interval - How often to send data (5 min, 1 hour, etc.)
- Data rate - Balance between range and speed (SF7-SF12)
- Confirmed/unconfirmed - Request acknowledgment or not
Real-World Use Cases
🌾 Smart Agriculture
- Soil moisture monitoring for irrigation control
- Livestock GPS tracking
- Greenhouse climate monitoring
- Water tank level sensing
Devices: LSE01, LHT65, LGT-92, ultrasonic sensors
🏙️ Smart Cities
- Parking space occupancy detection
- Waste bin fill level monitoring
- Air quality measurement
- Street lighting control
Devices: LSN50v2 with custom sensors, LHT65
🏭 Industrial IoT
- Equipment temperature monitoring
- Vibration/predictive maintenance
- Asset tracking in warehouses
- Energy consumption metering
Devices: LHT65, LSN50v2, LGT-92, LDDS75
🏠 Building Management
- HVAC optimization via temp/humidity
- Water leak detection
- Room occupancy sensing
- Energy usage monitoring
Devices: LHT65, LDDS20, LSN50v2
Integrating with The Things Network
The Things Network (TTN) is the easiest way to get started with LoRaWAN. It's free and has a massive global community.
Quick setup process:
- Create TTN account - Sign up at thethingsnetwork.org
- Register gateway - Add your Dragino gateway (LPS8/DLOS8)
- Create application - Group your sensors together
- Add devices - Register each sensor with DevEUI
- View data - See incoming messages in real-time
- Create integrations - Forward data to HTTP, MQTT, storage
🔗 Popular TTN Integrations
- MQTT: Connect to Node-RED, Home Assistant, or custom apps
- HTTP Webhook: POST data to your own server/API
- Storage: Forward to InfluxDB, AWS S3, Google Cloud
- TagoIO: Free dashboards and visualization
- Ubidots: IoT platform with analytics
Battery Life and Power Optimization
One of LoRaWAN's biggest advantages is incredible battery life. Here's how to maximize it:
Factors affecting battery life:
| Setting | Impact | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission interval | High | Send every 15-60 minutes, not every 1 minute |
| Spreading factor (SF) | High | Use SF7-SF9 if possible (faster = less power) |
| Confirmed messages | Medium | Use unconfirmed unless critical |
| Payload size | Low | Keep under 51 bytes |
| GPS usage | Very High | Only activate GPS when needed (geofencing mode) |
Real-world battery life examples:
- LHT65 (temp/humidity): 8-10 years with 2x AAA (transmit every 30 min, SF9)
- LSN50v2 (waterproof): 10+ years with 8000mAh battery (hourly transmissions)
- LGT-92 (GPS tracker): 3-6 months with 1000mAh (GPS every 2 hours, motion-triggered)
- LSE01 (soil moisture): 5+ years with 2x ER14505 (transmit every hour)
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Gateway not connecting to TTN
Solutions:
- Verify Gateway EUI matches TTN registration
- Check frequency plan (EU868 vs US915)
- Ensure internet connectivity (ping test)
- Verify firewall allows port 1700 (UDP)
Sensor not sending data
Solutions:
- Check battery voltage (below 2.0V = dead)
- Verify DevEUI, AppEUI, AppKey match network server
- Ensure sensor is in range of gateway (test close first)
- Check join mode: OTAA requires join, ABP is direct
Poor range / packet loss
Solutions:
- Increase spreading factor (SF10-SF12 for longer range)
- Mount gateway antenna higher and outdoors
- Check for obstacles (metal buildings, hills)
- Verify antenna is connected (VSWR check)
Gateway shows "no network server connection"
Solutions:
- Check if using correct server address (TTN/ChirpStack)
- Verify internet connectivity
- Reboot gateway and check logs
- Ensure correct gateway frequency plan selected
FAQ
How many sensors can one gateway handle?
An 8-channel gateway can theoretically handle thousands of sensors. In practice, 500-2000 sensors per gateway depending on transmission frequency and spreading factor.
Do I need a license to use LoRaWAN?
No! LoRaWAN uses unlicensed ISM bands (868MHz in EU, 915MHz in US). No fees, no SIM cards, completely free to operate.
Can I use Dragino sensors with other gateways?
Yes! Dragino sensors follow LoRaWAN standard and work with any compliant gateway (Kerlink, Multitech, RAK, etc.).
What's the difference between LoRa and LoRaWAN?
LoRa is the radio modulation technology. LoRaWAN is the network protocol (MAC layer) that adds security, device management, and scalability on top of LoRa.
Can I build my own LoRaWAN sensor with Arduino?
Absolutely! Use Dragino LoRa Shield or LoRa Bee module with Arduino. Program with LMIC or RadioHead library. Great for custom sensor projects.
How secure is LoRaWAN?
Very secure. LoRaWAN uses AES128 encryption at two levels: network session key (for network server) and application session key (end-to-end encryption).
Ready to Build Your LoRaWAN Network?
Explore our complete Dragino product range: indoor/outdoor gateways, environmental sensors, GPS trackers, and custom IoT modules.
View All Dragino Products →Frequently Asked Questions
Which Dragino gateway should I buy for a farm deployment?
For farms, choose DLOS8 (outdoor, IP65) if you have internet via 4G router, or LG308 if you need built-in 4G connectivity. LG308 also supports solar power for remote locations.
How far can LoRaWAN really reach in practice?
In open rural areas: 10-15km is common. In cities with buildings: 1-3km typical. Factors: gateway antenna height, obstacles, spreading factor. Higher SF = longer range but slower data rate.
Can I use Dragino devices for commercial products?
Yes! Dragino hardware is suitable for commercial use. However, check The Things Network terms if using their free service - they limit commercial traffic. Consider ChirpStack or commercial LoRaWAN providers.
Do Dragino sensors work indoors and underground?
LoRaWAN signals penetrate buildings well (much better than WiFi). Underground depends on depth and materials. Sensors work in basements, parking garages. For deep underground, consider repeater gateway.
How do I decode the sensor data payload?
Each Dragino sensor has a decoder function (JavaScript) available in their documentation. Copy the decoder to your network server (TTN/ChirpStack) to automatically parse raw bytes into readable values.