Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-18 Origin: Site
In the IoT world, a sensor is only as powerful as its ability to deliver reliable data to the platform. Accuracy matters—but so does connectivity. From wide-open farmlands to industrial plants and indoor greenhouses, each scenario requires the right communication method to balance coverage, power consumption, and reliability.
This guide compares the most common sensor communication technologies—LoRa, 4G, Wi-Fi, RS485, and Zigbee—and helps you choose the right solution for your deployment.
Challenge: Wide coverage area, no Wi-Fi, limited power.
Best fit:
4G/5G gateways → direct cloud connection where cellular coverage is available.
LoRa sensors + LoRa gateway with 4G backhaul → low-power, long-range communication; one gateway can connect dozens of nodes.
Challenge: No stable cellular coverage.
Best fit:
LoRa/LoRaWAN self-organizing network → tens of kilometers coverage.
Gateways can backhaul via satellite or wired connection.
Use case: Flash flood early warning, forestry monitoring, disaster management.
Challenge: Smaller areas, power supply and Wi-Fi usually available.
Best fit:
Wi-Fi sensors → simple, cost-effective, direct cloud link.
Zigbee sensors + gateway → low-power mesh networking for multiple distributed points.
Challenge: High interference, wired infrastructure available.
Best fit:
RS485 sensors (Modbus RTU) + IoT gateway → proven, interference-resistant, widely used in industrial automation.
Zigbee or Wi-Fi → secondary options for temporary or mobile points.
Challenge: Ease of use and compatibility with platforms (Homey, Tuya, Alexa).
Best fit:
Zigbee sensors → low power, widely supported in home automation hubs.
Wi-Fi sensors → direct connection without a gateway, simple for end-users.
| Technology | Distance | Power Consumption | Bandwidth | Advantages | Limitations | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LoRa | 5–15 km (open), up to 20+ km with LoRaWAN; 1–5 km in cities | Ultra-low | Very low (0.3–50 kbps) | Long range, low power, scalable networks | Low data rate, seconds of latency, needs a gateway | Agriculture, flood monitoring, remote IoT |
| 4G/5G | Nationwide coverage | Medium | High (Mbps) | Direct platform access, reliable, fast | Requires SIM, ongoing costs, depends on network | Industrial IoT, mobile sensors, outdoor monitoring |
| Wi-Fi | 20–30 m indoors, up to 100 m outdoors | High | High (>10 Mbps) | High-speed, easy to set up, no extra gateway | Power-hungry, small coverage, internet dependent | Greenhouses, indoor farming, consumer IoT |
| RS485 | Up to 1200 m (wired) | Medium | Low–Medium (kbps–115 kbps) | Stable, anti-interference, industrial standard | Requires cabling, less flexible | Industrial plants, pump stations |
| Zigbee | 10–100 m per node, extended with mesh | Low | Low (250 kbps) | Low power, mesh networking, smart home ecosystem | Limited bandwidth, large mesh adds latency | Smart homes, greenhouses, small facilities |
LoRa + 4G/5G gateways: the most reliable combination for agriculture, flood monitoring, and remote outdoor deployments.
RS485: the proven choice for industrial environments requiring stability and interference resistance.
Wi-Fi & Zigbee: ideal for greenhouses, smart homes, and indoor applications where coverage is small and power is available.
At BGT Hydromet, we specialize in industrial-grade, high-precision sensors with reliable 4G and LoRa connectivity—offering both robust solutions for large-scale monitoring and complementary options for agriculture and indoor deployments.
More RS485 Sensors you can click here.
