A Clever Plan to Build a Nationwide Network for the Internet of Things
wired.com
wired.com
"" “We currently use a spread spectrum radio technology on the physical layer. By using spread spectrum we minimize the interference that we cause to other unlicensed devices running on the 902-928MHz band. Additionally we are not as sensitive to narrowband interference that are caused by other devices such as garage door openers and toys that are also running on the band.
“To further reduce interference and maximize battery life for tracking applications, the Iota does not transmit any messages to the Home Base unless the owner of the Iota opens up the smartphone app and requests a location update. Our protocol also scales the data rate from the Home Base to the Iotas depending on how far the Iota is from the Home Base. For an Iota that is used as a home security sensor, the data rate is on the order of a few hundred kilobits per second. For the Iotas that are a mile or more away, the data rate will scale down on the order of a few hundred bits per second (the trick to getting very long range is to trade off data rate for range).”
Each Iota home base can apparently support “thousands” of Iotas within close range running at higher data rates, or “hundreds” of Iotas “for most applications” when the tracking devices are farther away running at lower data rates, according to Wild.
“A specific Home Base gives priority to the Iotas that are associated with the owner of that Home Base,” he adds.""