Milesight IoT Dashboard

A

Actuator

A device that performs a physical action based on a control signal. In IoT, actuators include smart valves, relays, motors, and light switches that can be controlled remotely via a network.

AI Camera

Security cameras with built-in artificial intelligence that can detect people, vehicles, objects, and behaviors locally on the device. Also called edge AI cameras, they reduce bandwidth by sending only alerts instead of continuous video.

API (Application Programming Interface)

A set of rules that allows different software applications to communicate. In IoT, APIs enable dashboards to retrieve data from sensors and gateways.

Attenuation

The reduction in signal strength as it passes through obstacles like walls, floors, and buildings. Different materials cause different levels of attenuation — concrete attenuates 10-15 dB, metal 20+ dB.

B

Backhaul

The connection from a LoRaWAN gateway to the network server. Backhaul can be Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or cellular (4G/5G). Reliable backhaul is critical — if backhaul fails, the gateway cannot relay sensor data.

BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy)

A wireless protocol designed for short-range communication with very low power consumption. Used in IoT for asset tracking, proximity sensors, and configuration beacons. Range: typically 10-50 meters.

BOM (Bill of Materials)

A complete list of all devices, sensors, gateways, and accessories needed for an IoT deployment, including quantities and costs. Our Project Generator creates an auto-calculated BOM for your project.

Bridge Mode

A network configuration where a gateway forwards data from other gateways or devices to a central server. Useful for extending network coverage without adding new server connections.

C

Class A / Class B / Class C (LoRaWAN)

LoRaWAN device classes that define how end devices communicate. Class A is lowest power (device-initiated), Class B adds scheduled receive windows, Class C is always listening (highest power, mains-powered devices).

CoAP (Constrained Application Protocol)

A specialized web transfer protocol designed for constrained devices and low-power networks. Similar to HTTP but optimized for IoT with smaller message sizes.

CT (Current Transformer)

A sensor that clips around electrical wires to measure current flow without disconnecting the circuit. Used in industrial IoT for energy monitoring, motor health detection, and load balancing.

CSMA/CA

Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance — a method LoRaWAN devices use to avoid transmitting at the same time as other devices, reducing data collisions.

D

Dashboard

A web-based interface that displays real-time IoT data, alerts, and analytics. Dashboards visualize sensor readings, device status, and historical trends for monitoring and decision-making.

Duty Cycle

The percentage of time a device is allowed to transmit. In Europe's 868 MHz band, LoRaWAN devices are limited to 1% duty cycle (36 seconds of transmission per hour). In the US 915 MHz band, FHSS allows higher throughput.

E

Edge Computing

Processing data locally on the gateway or device rather than sending everything to the cloud. Reduces latency, bandwidth usage, and enables real-time responses. AI cameras are a common edge computing example.

End Device

A LoRaWAN sensor or actuator that communicates with gateways. End devices are typically battery-powered and designed for long-term deployment with minimal maintenance.

ESP32

A popular low-cost microcontroller with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Widely used in IoT prototyping and production devices for connecting sensors to networks.

F

FHSS (Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum)

A transmission technique where the radio frequency rapidly switches among many channels. Used in LoRaWAN US915 band to avoid interference and comply with regulations.

Fog Computing

Similar to edge computing but refers to a layer of computing between edge devices and the cloud. Fog nodes process and aggregate data before sending to the cloud, reducing bandwidth requirements.

G

Gateway

A device that bridges LoRaWAN sensors to the network server via IP connections (Ethernet, Wi-Fi, cellular). Gateways receive radio signals from sensors and forward the data to the cloud. A single gateway can handle thousands of devices.

Ground Plane

A conductive surface (often the metal roof of a building) that improves antenna performance. Placing a LoRaWAN gateway antenna above a ground plane increases signal range and consistency.

H

HMI (Human-Machine Interface)

A display or interface that allows humans to interact with machines or industrial systems. In IoT, HMIs can show real-time sensor data and allow manual control of actuators.

Hotspot

A LoRaWAN gateway that provides network coverage. The term is commonly used in The Things Network (TTN) and Helium network contexts where community members deploy gateways.

I

IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)

A measure of the air quality inside buildings, typically monitoring CO₂, temperature, humidity, and VOCs. Poor IAQ above 1000 ppm CO₂ causes drowsiness and reduced cognitive function.

IoT (Internet of Things)

A network of physical devices embedded with sensors, software, and connectivity that enables them to collect and exchange data. IoT connects everyday objects to the internet for monitoring, automation, and intelligence.

ISM Band

Industrial, Scientific, and Medical radio bands — frequency ranges reserved internationally for non-telecommunications use. LoRaWAN operates in ISM bands: 868 MHz (Europe), 915 MHz (US), 433 MHz (Asia).

L

Latency

The delay between a sensor reading being taken and it appearing on a dashboard. LoRaWAN latency is typically 1-10 seconds for uplink messages, sufficient for most monitoring applications.

Link Budget

The total amount of signal loss a radio link can tolerate while still maintaining communication. LoRaWAN link budget is typically 137-155 dB depending on spreading factor, determining maximum range and wall penetration.

LoRa

A radio frequency modulation technique developed by Semtech that enables long-range communication at low power. LoRa is the physical layer; LoRaWAN is the network protocol built on top of it.

LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network)

An open protocol for LoRa-based IoT networks. Defines how devices communicate with gateways and network servers. Provides ranges of 2-15 km, battery life of 5-10 years, and support for thousands of devices per gateway.

M

MAC (Media Access Control)

The layer of the network protocol that controls how devices access the shared communication medium. LoRaWAN's MAC layer manages device communication, duty cycle compliance, and data rates.

Mesh Network

A network topology where devices relay data through multiple hops to reach the gateway. Unlike LoRaWAN's star topology, mesh networks (like Zigbee and Thread) can extend range through device-to-device communication.

MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport)

A lightweight messaging protocol designed for IoT. Uses a publish/subscribe model where sensors publish data to topics and dashboards subscribe to receive it. Minimal overhead makes it ideal for constrained devices.

N

Network Server

The central component of a LoRaWAN network that manages gateways, routes messages, handles deduplication, and controls device communication. Examples include Milesight IoT Cloud, ChirpStack, and The Things Network.

NVR (Network Video Recorder)

A device that records and stores video from IP security cameras. In smart buildings, NVRs are placed in secure server rooms and connected to AI cameras via PoE switches.

O

OTA (Over-the-Air)

Updating device firmware or configuration remotely without physical access. OTA updates are essential for maintaining large IoT deployments without sending technicians to each device.

Occupancy Sensor

A device that detects the presence or absence of people in a space. Technologies include passive infrared (PIR), ultrasonic, radar, and ToF (Time of Flight). Used for energy management and space utilization analytics.

P

Payload

The actual data transmitted by a LoRaWAN sensor. Payload size is limited (up to 242 bytes at SF12) and must encode sensor readings efficiently. Common encoding uses CBOR, CayenneLPP, or custom binary formats.

PoE (Power over Ethernet)

A technology that delivers electrical power along with data over Ethernet cables. Simplifies installation of IP cameras, gateways, and access points by eliminating separate power cables.

Provisioning

The process of configuring and registering a new device on a LoRaWAN network. Includes assigning device EUI, application keys, and join server credentials. Bulk provisioning tools simplify large deployments.

R

Radar Sensor

Uses radio waves to detect movement, distance, and presence. In IoT, radar sensors are used for fall detection, occupancy sensing, and people counting. Advantages include working in darkness and preserving privacy (no cameras).

Retransmission

When a LoRaWAN device doesn't receive an acknowledgment from the network, it automatically retransmits the message. Maximum retransmissions and retry intervals are configurable to balance reliability and battery life.

RF (Radio Frequency)

Electromagnetic waves used for wireless communication. LoRaWAN operates at sub-GHz RF frequencies (433/868/915 MHz) that provide better range and penetration than higher frequencies like Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz).

S

SF (Spreading Factor)

A LoRaWAN parameter that determines the duration of each chirp. Higher SF (7-12) means longer range but slower data rate and higher power consumption. SF7 is fastest (~5.5 kbps), SF12 is longest range (~0.3 kbps).

Site Survey

An on-site assessment before IoT deployment that maps building dimensions, wall materials, potential gateway locations, and sources of RF interference. Critical for accurate coverage planning.

Smart Building

A building that uses IoT sensors and automation to optimize energy usage, occupant comfort, security, and maintenance. Key systems include HVAC control, lighting automation, occupancy monitoring, and leak detection.

SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)

The ratio of signal power to background noise power, measured in dB. Higher SNR means cleaner signal. LoRaWAN can decode signals with SNR as low as -20 dB, meaning it works even when the signal is below the noise floor.

Solar Gateway

A LoRaWAN gateway powered by solar panel and battery, enabling deployment in remote locations without power infrastructure. Example: Milesight SG50 combines gateway, solar panel, and battery in one unit.

T

ToF (Time of Flight)

A sensing technology that measures distance by timing how long a signal takes to travel to an object and back. Used in occupancy sensors, people counters, and level sensors for accurate distance measurement.

Tx Power (Transmit Power)

The power level at which a LoRaWAN device transmits, measured in dBm. Typical range is 2-20 dBm. Higher Tx power increases range but reduces battery life. Most sensors use 14 dBm (25 mW).

U

Uplink

A message sent from an end device (sensor) to the network server via a gateway. This is the primary direction for sensor data. Downlink is the reverse — from server to device.

UTC (Coordinated Universal Time)

The primary time standard used in IoT for timestamping sensor data. All LoRaWAN devices synchronize to UTC to ensure consistent data logging across time zones.

V

VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)

A method of segmenting a physical network into logical subnetworks. In IoT deployments, VLANs separate sensor traffic from corporate traffic for security and performance.

VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)

Chemicals that evaporate at room temperature and can affect indoor air quality. Common sources include paint, cleaning products, and furniture. VOC sensors are part of comprehensive IAQ monitoring systems.

W

Wake Word

A keyword that activates a voice assistant or smart device. In IoT, wake word detection is used in smart speakers and voice-controlled building automation systems.

Wi-Fi HaLow (802.11ah)

A Wi-Fi standard designed for IoT with longer range (up to 1 km) and lower power consumption than traditional Wi-Fi. Operates in sub-GHz bands for better wall penetration.