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Sigfox is a global LPWAN network developed for the Internet of Things (IoT). It offers cost-effective, low-power connectivity with a long range for IoT devices.
Heliot is the network operator for this network in several European countries.
Sigfox offers excellent coverage, long battery life for devices and cost-effective connectivity, making it ideal for a wide range of IoT applications.
Sigfox uses ultra-narrowband for data transmission, which means that it can only transmit a maximum of 12 bytes and can only send a maximum of 140 times per day. Conversely, transmissions back to the devices are limited to 8 bytes, and only four messages per day are permitted for the downlink. Sigfox also requires that each message is transmitted three times, each time on a different channel.
Sigfox is primarily intended for data acquisition. It is a good solution for applications that need to send small, infrequent data packets. Examples include simple alarm systems, location monitoring, measuring devices and, above all, the tracking of goods.
Sigfox provides technical support, documentation, developer resources and an ecosystem of partners to help customers implement and manage their IoT solutions.
Yes, Sigfox is often used for asset tracking and fleet management applications due to its long range and low power consumption.
To get started with Sigfox, you can contact Sigfox representatives, explore Sigfox-compatible hardware options, and sign up for a Sigfox subscription plan that meets your needs.
Sigfox has a global presence and its network is available in many countries and regions around the world. You can check the Sigfox coverage map for specific details.
The network coverage at your location can be checked online via the link https://coverage.heliotgroup.com.
The range of Sigfox devices depends on various factors, but can range from several kilometers to several dozen kilometers under optimal conditions.
By installing a base station, network coverage can be guaranteed at a specific location.
Heliot offers various pricing models for Sigfox connectivity, including subscription-based plans and pay-as-you-go options. The costs usually depend on the number of devices and the amount of data transferred.
The costs for Sigfox connectivity are generally in the single-digit euro range per year and per device. The price scales with volume commitments and the contract term.
The most common method for geolocating an object is the GNSS method. If you equip your device with a GNSS module, you can determine the position of your object very precisely (up to approx. 15 meters). The disadvantages are high battery consumption and poor availability indoors.
The device (equipped with a WiFi module) “listens” to the various WiFi signals in its environment and recognizes the two strongest WiFi signals, sending the Media Access Control Address (MAC) of these WiFi signals to your platform via the Sigfox network. After reception on your platform, the MACs are sent to a WiFi hotspot database for synchronization. The hotspot database server responds with an approximate position (accuracies range from 10 to 100 m), depending on the number of MAC addresses sniffed by the device.
The Sigfox Network Location is based on a proprietary probabilistic calculation of the most likely location of the device. This is done using the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), which is derived from the messages sent by a device and received by the Sigfox infrastructure. The location calculation is based on the data received from the Sigfox infrastructure. This data comes from multiple replicas of the same messages sent by a device and received by different base stations. The calculation method enables an accuracy in the range of 1 to 10 km for more than 80% of the messages, depending on the environment and the density of base stations in the area concerned. Location determination via the Sigfox network is perfect for large use cases (high volume of devices) where a high degree of accuracy is not critical and where battery life is crucial.
Sigfox is suitable for a wide range of IoT devices, including sensors, trackers and actuators. It is often used in sectors such as agriculture, logistics and smart cities.
Battery life depends on device type and usage, but Sigfox’s low-power technology allows devices to run for several years on a single battery.
To connect devices to the Sigfox network, you need Sigfox-compatible hardware and access to the Sigfox backend, where you can manage devices, data and subscriptions.
Sigfox uses security measures such as data encryption and device authentication to protect data during transmission. In addition, the relevant data protection regulations are complied with.
Yes: Sigfox is suitable for many IoT applications, but it is important to consider reliability and redundancy for business-critical applications. You may want to check backup connectivity options.