GPS & LoRa Technology Guide
Radio line of sight, LoRa P2P vs LoRaWAN, ionosphere effects on GPS, and how offline GPS tracking works without cellular networks.
Core Concepts
Radio Line of Sight & Signal Propagation
Direct path between transmitting and receiving antennas without obstructions.
In GPS and LoRa technology, line-of-sight communication is crucial for optimal range. Radio waves can bend slightly around obstacles, but large barriers significantly reduce signal strength.
Loko GPS Tracker achieves up to 20km range in ideal line-of-sight conditions using LoRa technology.
Ionosphere & GPS Signal Quality
A layer of Earth's atmosphere that affects GPS signal quality and accuracy.
Ionospheric delays can cause GPS positioning errors, especially during high solar activity. Loko uses multiple constellations (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) to mitigate these errors.
Understanding ionosphere altitude variations helps optimize tracker performance across regions.
LoRa vs LoRaWAN & P2P Communication
LoRa is the physical layer; LoRaWAN is the networking protocol above it.
P2P LoRa creates direct device-to-device connections with no infrastructure needed. Loko uses both P2P and LoRaWAN for maximum flexibility in any environment.
Direct P2P communication makes it ideal for remote tracking without external servers.
Technical Documentation
LoRa Modulation Explained
Techniques that enable Loko's long-range capabilities:
Spreading Factor (SF)
SF7–SF12. Higher values provide greater range but lower data rates. Loko uses adaptive SF to balance range and throughput based on signal conditions.
Coding Rate (CR)
Error correction from 4/5 to 4/8. Higher CR improves resilience to interference. Loko optimizes CR for reliable communication in challenging environments.
Chirp Spread Spectrum
Spreads signals across frequencies using linear FM chirps — excellent interference resistance and allows multiple devices to share the same channel.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About GPS & LoRa Tracking
What is GPS?
GPS (Global Positioning System) is a satellite-based navigation system that provides location and time information in all weather conditions.
What is LoRa?
LoRa (Long Range) is a wireless modulation technique that enables long-range, low-power communication for Internet of Things (IoT) applications.
What is LoRa P2P?
LoRa P2P (Peer-to-Peer) is direct device-to-device communication using LoRa technology without requiring a central server or internet connection.
What is the difference between LoRa and LoRaWAN?
LoRa is a modulation technique, while LoRaWAN is a networking protocol. LoRa P2P is direct communication; LoRaWAN uses a gateway and cloud architecture.