LoRaWAN Technology based Trackers

LoRa

August 11, 2022

LoRaWAN Asset Trackers: How They Work and Why Businesses Use Them

If you're responsible for tracking vehicles, containers, tools, or equipment, LoRaWAN is one of the most cost-effective tracking technologies available. It's popular for one simple reason: long battery life and long range. A LoRaWAN tracker can run for years on a single battery and report location from miles away - something Wi-Fi or Bluetooth trackers can't do, and cellular trackers can't do as cheaply.

At WeMakeIoT, we've built and deployed LoRaWAN tracking systems for fleet operators, logistics companies, and equipment owners across the UK, US, and Australia. Below is what these trackers are, how they find location, and which type fits which use case.

Where LoRaWAN Asset Trackers Are Used

The same core tracker technology is used across several business scenarios:

Fleet tracking - vehicles, trailers, and heavy equipment moving between sites
Shipment and container tracking - visibility across the supply chain, from warehouse to delivery
High-value tool and equipment tracking - construction sites, rental equipment, machinery
People and pet tracking - wearables for lone workers, or consumer pet trackers

Trackers come in different form factors depending on the use case - from small battery tags for tools to ruggedized, weatherproof units for outdoor vehicles and containers.

3 Types of LoRaWAN Asset Trackers

1. GPS-Based Trackers

These trackers pull location data directly from GPS satellites, making them the most accurate option. They work best outdoors with a clear line of sight to the sky - ideal for vehicles, containers, and outdoor equipment. Most LoRaWAN GPS trackers let you configure the reporting interval (how often it pings its location) either over a serial connection or remotely via LoRaWAN downlink commands - useful when you want to balance tracking frequency against battery life.

2. Wi-Fi and Cell-ID Based Trackers

Where GPS doesn't reach - indoors, in warehouses, or in dense urban areas - Wi-Fi and cell-ID based trackers take over. These devices pick up nearby Wi-Fi signals and transmit their MAC ID and signal strength. A service like Google Geolocation then cross-references this against a database of known Wi-Fi and cell tower positions to estimate the device's location. It's a practical alternative anywhere GPS-based tracking isn't reliable.

3. Network-Based (Software) Tracking

Even without dedicated GPS or Wi-Fi hardware, a LoRaWAN device can often be located using the network itself. This works because LoRaWAN gateways record their own coordinates. If we know which gateway (or hotspot) a device last connected through, and the signal strength, we can estimate its approximate position - this is how public networks like The Things Network and Helium provide rough location data. Some LoRaWAN network servers, like Chirpstack, go a step further and run triangulation algorithms across multiple gateways to calculate a more precise location alongside the uplink message - no extra hardware cost required.

Which Tracker Type Fits Your Business?

Use Case	Best Tracker Type	Why
Vehicles & outdoor fleet	GPS-based	Clear sky view, needs highest accuracy
Warehouse/indoor tools	Wi-Fi / cell-ID based	GPS signal is blocked indoors
Remote/rural assets on a shoestring budget	Network-based (triangulation)	Lowest hardware cost, no GPS chip needed

How We've Helped Clients Deploy LoRaWAN Trackers

We've onboarded and integrated trackers from multiple hardware vendors into LoRaWAN networks, decoded their data, and built the applications on top:

We connected Oyster LoRaWAN trackers and RAK7200 GPS trackers to Chirpstack, decoded the raw data, and integrated it into cloud applications for real-time visibility.
We worked with Wi-Fi positioning trackers from Nali and Viloc - converting their proprietary cloud data streams into the format and protocol our clients' tracking applications needed.
We've helped clients decode complex protocols like JT808 for logistics fleet tracking, and built cellular-based asset trackers using Particle where LoRaWAN wasn't the right fit.

See a full example of this in action: Asset Tracker with Geofencing - Success Story.

Not sure which tracker setup fits your fleet, containers, or equipment?

Tell us what you're tracking and where - we'll recommend the right hardware and network setup. Get a free consultation →