LoRa® is a long-range wireless technology in which each binary 0 and 1 to be transmitted is transmitted as a frequency pattern (spreading arc). While this increases the protocol length and therefore the transmission time, it can be filtered and received as an extremely weak signal using special techniques. It was developed by the company Semtec. LoRa is suitable for transmitting small amounts of data per unit of time.

The advantage of LoRaWAN® long-range radio technology is that the user is not dependent on an existing receiving network. Users can install and operate one or more LoRaWAN® gateways themselves. A network server is required to operate a private network. Users can set up and operate the server themselves using free software or utilize various network platforms such as TTN, MATCHX, DIGIMONDO, or LORIOT. LoRaWAN® data traffic is bidirectional and uses double encryption (user data and network protocol). LoRaWAN® can only transmit small amounts of data per unit of time. However, the transmission method developed by SEMTECH, in conjunction with IBM's network protocol, enables data transmission over greater distances. The radio protocols themselves range in duration from a few milliseconds to a few seconds. Further information can be found here.

Both radio standards operate in the unlicensed 868 ISM frequency band in Europe. The maximum radiated power is the same for both. wM-BUS establishes a point-to-point connection. Since most wM-BUS devices are unidirectional, only simple transmission occurs without feedback. With LoRaWAN®, each end device is integrated into the network. Connections are always encrypted using two layers of encryption. The range of LoRaWAN® in built-up areas is approximately ten times that of wM-BUS.

Only EHKVs of the same type and manufacturer may be used in a group of radiators that are billed together.

To record heating costs, you need a wireless electronic heat cost allocator (EHCA) for each radiator. Suitable wireless technologies include wM-BUS or LoRa. With LoRa, you can integrate into an existing network or set up your own. With wM-BUS, you can receive data using a mobile receiver or a stationary gateway. A stationary gateway is the better choice, as the current EED directive requires you to take readings several times a year. To configure and read the EHCAs, you need an optical sensor and the MDC (Meter Device Commander). To decode the received data, you need the AES keys for each individual EHCA.

You need one or more gateways (Link). These are connected to your network via LAN cable. The gateway sends the data to the server (Link). The server stores the raw data in a CSV table or in a database. The CSV table can be read and decoded using the MDC (Link). The result is a table with consumption values for further billing. For the option of storing the data in a database, this must be done on the same computer or via a database server connected via LAN. The server stores the received raw data in a database. Using a wM-BUS data decoder (Link), which accesses the database and decrypts and decodes the received raw data, you obtain a separate table with consumption values for each device.