LoRaWAN and BACnet – the perfect combination for intelligent building management
Building management is becoming more challenging as owners and operators look for better ways to save energy, reduce costs and create healthier environments. While building management systems (BMS) have been used for decades to control systems like heating, lighting and air conditioning, adding new technology to these systems can sometimes seem complicated.
The good news is that facility managers don’t have to choose between LoRaWAN® and BACnet. The two technologies work well together, combining the wireless flexibility of LoRaWAN® with the robust integration capabilities of BACnet. By combining the two technologies, building operators can enhance existing systems without major upgrades, creating smarter, more efficient buildings.
In this article, we will explain how LoRaWAN® technology and BACnet-enabled gateways make facility management easier . You will learn why LoRaWAN® is a great choice for modern buildings, how it seamlessly connects to your existing BMS, and how TEKTELIC helps building operators choose the best solutions for their needs.
What is BACnet and why does it matter?
BACnet is a communications protocol used in building systems. It’s a “translator” that helps devices like thermostats, air quality monitors, and lighting systems work seamlessly with the building management system . Many BMS platforms, such as the Niagara controllers from Honeywell, Siemens, and Schneider Electric, already support BACnet. This makes it easy to add new devices without having to change the entire system.
With TEKTELIC ’s LoRaWAN® gateways and BACnet integration, facility managers can quickly and easily connect wireless IoT devices to their existing BMS system. This approach saves time, reduces costs and significantly simplifies building modernization.
Why are facility managers turning to LoRaWAN®?
For decades, facility managers have relied on wired systems to monitor and control their buildings. While these systems are reliable, they can be expensive to install and maintain. LoRaWAN® technology offers a wireless alternative that is affordable, quick to install, and highly efficient.
Here's why it's becoming the first choice for modern facility management:
Wide range
One LoRaWAN® gateway can cover 4-5 floors of a building, making it an ideal solution for large spaces.
Long battery life
End devices can operate for 5-10 years on a single battery, reducing maintenance needs.
Low installation costs
Wireless solutions cost significantly less than wired systems and can be set up in minutes.
Flexible device options
LoRaWAN® supports a variety of devices for tasks such as air quality monitoring, leak detection and presence tracking.
How does LoRaWAN® stand out from Wi-Fi and BLE?
When it comes to choosing wireless technology for facility management , it is important to understand the strengths and limitations of each option.
Here's how LoRaWAN® compares to Wi-Fi and BLE :
| LoRaWAN® | Wi-Fi | BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) | |
| Range | Long range, covering multiple floors or large buildings with a single gateway (up to 10+ km in outdoor environments). | Short range, usually limited to one floor or small area within a building. | Very short range, suitable for short-range devices such as wearables or room-level use. |
| Energy efficiency | Extremely low power consumption; devices can operate for 5-10 years on a single battery. | High power consumption; devices often require frequent charging or connection to power | Moderate power consumption; better than Wi-Fi, but still requires more frequent charging. |
| Implementation cost | Low; fewer gateways required due to wide coverage and devices are inexpensive to install. | High; requires multiple access points for adequate coverage, leading to higher costs. | Moderate; relatively affordable, but may require multiple devices for adequate coverage. |
| Data transfer speed | Optimized for low data rates (e.g. environmental monitoring, busy tracking). | High data rates, suitable for video streaming and internet access, but overkill for IoT needs. | Low to moderate, intended for short-range, low-bandwidth applications such as wearables and beacons. |
| Penetration through walls | Excellent; RF signals can effectively penetrate walls, floors and other obstructions. | Moderate; walls and floors significantly reduce signal strength. | Weak; often has difficulty transmitting through walls or other obstructions. |
| Stability | Ideal for facility management tasks such as air quality monitoring, energy efficiency and leak detection. | It is better suited for Internet access and high-bandwidth applications than for IoT. | Best for contactless applications such as asset tracking and personal devices. |
Overcoming IoT and BMS Integration Challenges
While LoRaWAN® technology is very effective, adding IoT devices to buildings has not always been easy. Traditionally, integrating IoT devices with a BMS required setting up separate networks and then figuring out how to connect them to the BMS.
This process often led to several challenges:
Time: Configuring standalone IoT platforms and connecting them to a BMS can take weeks or months.
Cost: The cost of integration often exceeds the cost of the IoT devices themselves.
Expertise: Many organizations do not have the appropriate technical expertise to manage complex integrations.
Unfortunately, these challenges have prevented many facility managers from using IoT, even when the benefits are clear.
Simple, practical solution TEKTELIC
At TEKTELIC, we have greatly simplified this process. Our LoRaWAN® gateways are designed to interface directly with existing BMS platforms, including those using Niagara tools.
Here's how it works:
Built-in intelligence
The gateways contain their own LoRaWAN® network server, so they can handle data from IoT devices without the need for additional systems.
BACnet Compatibility
The gateways connect directly to the BMS, making it easy to leverage data from IoT devices to improve building operations.
Easy to set up
Facility managers can use familiar tools like Niagara to quickly configure devices, saving time and effort.
This approach combines the reliability of existing BMS systems with the flexibility and affordability of wireless IoT devices.
Conclusions
At Stovaris , we put the customer’s needs first. TEKTELIC gateways help you easily integrate your BMS system wirelessly and streamline your on-site device implementation. With TEKTELIC’s LoRaWAN® gateways and BACnet support, integrating IoT devices into your building’s BMS is now easier and more affordable than ever. By combining the flexibility of LoRaWAN® with the power of BACnet integration, you can create a smarter, more efficient building that meets the demands of modern facility management.