mioty

mioty is an IoT Protocol for Robust Data Transmission

13 Min
August 01, 2024
Mioty Technology

What to Expect:

mioty offers advanced connectivity for massive IoT applications and the IIoT. In smart cities, mioty enables reliable and efficient data transmission. The relevance of IoT localization solutions is growing, and mioty delivers the precise positioning of people and objects. This technology improves efficiency and safety in urban and industrial environments and is crucial for the future of the connected world.

1. Status Quo

mioty is a standardized, software-based connectivity solution developed by Fraunhofer IIS in 2018. This LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology offers efficient and reliable communication for IoT applications. As an IoT protocol, mioty is based on the ETSI standard TS 103 357 and operates in the global license-free sub-GHz spectrum with a bandwidth of 100 KHz to 1.5 MHz.

The technology is characterized by high scalability and the ability to support a battery life of up to 20 years. mioty offers impressive ranges, making it ideal for numerous applications, including smart metering, Industry 4.0, smart city projects and building automation.

mioty is used for asset tracking and other industrial applications. It offers reliable and extensive network coverage and makes efficient use of license-free spectrum. The core technologies of mioty enable robust communication in various IoT applications.

The ETSI Standard

The standardization of mioty technology is regulated by various ETSI documents. The ETSI standards for mioty ensure that this technology remains reliable and efficient, making it an ideal solution for numerous IoT applications.

ETSI Technical Report TR 103 249

The ETSI Technical Report TR 103 249 provides an introduction to mioty technology and describes its areas of application and benefits. This report serves as a basis for the further development and implementation of mioty technology in various IoT applications.

ETSI TS 103 357 and ETSI TS 103 358

The technical specifications of mioty technology are defined in ETSI TS 103 357 and ETSI TS 103 358 standards. These standards define the technical requirements and ensure interoperability between different devices and networks that use mioty.

ETSI TS 103 357-2 V2.1.1

Published in June 2024, the ETSI TS 103 357-2 V2.1.1 standard provides comprehensive technical specifications for the TS-UNB protocol, the core technology of mioty. The specification describes Class B endpoints for scheduled downlink communication and Class C endpoints for event-driven downlink communication.

It also enables higher data rates to reduce power consumption in the uplink and more capacity in the downlink. New timing and frequency patterns improve latency for low-delay applications. The flexibility in uplink timing optimizes the power consumption of the devices. The mioty Alliance recognizes this standardization as critical to the advancement of LTN technologies.

Transmission Method: Telegram Splitting

Telegram splitting is a central transmission method of mioty technology. This transmission method splits a telegram into many small packets that are sent independently of each other. This reduces the packet error rate, as lost packets can be sent again without any problems.

TMSA (Telegram Splitting Multiple Access) supports this process and optimizes communication between IoT nodes and base stations. Sensor nodes or end points in particular benefit from lower packet losses and more stable connections, even with fluctuating transmission power.

With mioty technology, the base station receives the individual packets and assembles them into a complete telegram. This process is particularly useful in environments with high susceptibility to interference and enables reliable communication in IoT networks. With telegram splitting, mioty significantly improves the efficiency of data transmission, resulting in more robust and reliable IoT applications.

Device Classes

mioty technology supports three device classes: Class Z, Class A and Class B. Each class is optimized for different applications and requirements.

  • Class Z is designed for battery-operated sensors that only support unidirectional uplink. This class is characterized by very high energy efficiency as the endpoint only sends uplink messages and does not receive downlink application messages. Typical applications include CO2 monitoring, smart metering and leakage detection.
  • Class A includes the properties of Class Z and extends them to include bidirectional communication. This class supports unicast messages with small payloads and long intervals. Class A offers high energy efficiency and is often used for applications such as CO2 monitoring, smart device and smart metering, as well as device configuration and energy monitoring. Here, the sensor initiates the communication.
  • Class B includes the functions of classes Z and A and also offers lower latency times. This class is bidirectional and supports both unicast and multicast messages. The energy efficiency is medium, as it enables latency-controlled downlink communication.

Class B is used for applications such as temperature monitoring, room occupancy management and control of HVAC systems (heating, ventilation and air conditioning). This class uses periodic beacons from the base station for synchronization.

The mioty Ecosystem

The mioty eco-system is based on an efficient and robust structure to support IoT applications. It comprises various components such as endpoints, base stations, a service center, an application center and an IoT platform.

End-Points

End points are devices that are equipped with mioty technology. These include smart meters, process transmitters, and bridges. These devices are not only equipped with the mioty stack, but also with sensors and actuators. They use various components such as RF chips, transceivers, SoC solutions, or RF modules for communication. They use batteries, grid power, or power generation transducers as energy sources. The members of the mioty alliance offer mioty modules to enable data transfer via mioty.

Communication

Communication between end points and the base station is defined by the mioty Radio Protocol. This air interface protocol is based on the TS-UNB family of the ETSI specification TS 103357 and ensures a reliable and efficient radio connection that has been specially developed for the requirements of IoT applications. Thanks to the robust and scalable communication technology, data can be transmitted securely and efficiently between the devices and the base station.

Base Station

The base station is the central element in the mioty network and communicates directly with the end points via the mioty air interface. It collects the data sent by the end points and transmits it to the mioty Service Center via the Base Station Service Center Interface (BSSCI).

Service Center

The Service Center coordinates a mioty network that consists of various base stations. It forwards the data between the end-point applications and the Application Center via the Service Center Application Center Interface (SCACI). In networks with several base stations, the Service Center also takes on the tasks of data aggregation and deduplication to ensure efficient and precise data processing.

Application Center

The Application Center connects applications to the mioty network. It uses protocols such as MQTT, REST and COAP. It can manage, configure, and monitor thousands of end points. The Application Center also ensures application security. It strictly separates the cryptographic keys between the network and application domains.

IoT Platform

The IoT platform consists of tools for analyzing and visualizing application data as well as a database. The platform can be integrated into standard cloud platforms. Examples include: Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, IBM Watson and Google Cloud.

Facts & Figures

At the end of 2023, there were almost 1.3 billion LPWAN IoT connections worldwide. This corresponds to around 8 percent of the more than 16 billion IoT devices in 2023. 58 percent of these use NB-IoT technology. These figures come from a report by “IoT Analytics”, a global provider of market analysis and business intelligence for the IoT, AI, Cloud, Edge and Industry 4.0.

mioty is a relatively new LPWAN technology. Despite its low current market share, strong growth is expected. According to a report by Fraunhofer IIS, the number of LPWAN connections could rise to 3 billion by 2026. As it becomes more widespread, mioty will play a greater role in the IoT market. This creates new opportunities for diverse IoT applications in various industries.

2. In Practice

Application Areas and Solutions with mioty

mioty offers versatile solutions for IIoT and Industry 4.0. It enables process monitoring, predictive maintenance and occupational safety in various industries.

In smart cities, mioty supports smart metering, leakage detection, waste management, smart parking and infrastructure management. Utility companies use mioty and communication adapters for smart metering to efficiently transmit meter data from gas meters, for example. These applications improve efficiency and quality of life in urban environments.

For building management, mioty offers solutions such as HVAC management, access control and fire detection. These applications ensure safety and comfort in buildings.

In logistics, mioty enables asset tracking, inventory and yard management. These applications optimize the management and tracking of goods.

In agriculture, mioty supports animal tracking, soil monitoring and irrigation management. These applications improve the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural operations.

In the mobility sector, mioty offers solutions for anti-theft protection and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication. These applications increase the security and connectivity of vehicles.

For the healthcare sector, mioty offers asset tracking, remote patient monitoring and assisted living solutions. These applications improve the efficiency and quality of care.

In the consumer IoT sector, mioty supports smart home applications, intelligent lighting and connected vehicles. These applications increase convenience and safety in everyday life.

In the energy industry, mioty enables the development of smart grids that improve the efficiency and reliability of the energy supply.

Example 1: Stackforce

Stackforce, a founding member of the mioty alliance, has developed the mioty Protocol Stack. Protocol stacks are bundles consisting of specific protocols that are defined for the application layer, data transport, internet-based data traffic and network access. A protocol stack enables data transmission via TSMA. It is based on the ETSI standard TS 103 357.

Teaser: Smart Protocol Stacks for IoT-Enabled Devices from Stackforce
Smart Protocol Stacks for IoT-Enabled Devices from Stackforce

“Due to our excellent networking in the IoT environment, we had information about the mioty development at a very early stage. As a provider of Protocol Stacks for the different low-power IoT applications, it is very important for us to be on top of the technological development.”

David Rahusen

Technical Managing Director, Stackforce

Logo Stackforce

Example 2: mioty in Use at Munich Airport

At Munich Airport, mioty is used to measure temperature, air pressure and humidity in many areas. The aim is to optimize the CO2 energy balance. mioty is still, however, relatively new. The nationwide expansion of the mioty network is still in its infancy.

“Mioty has been developed to enable low-interference radio transmissions over long distances with many devices.”

Wolfgang Weber

Independent

3. Panorama

Advantages of mioty

mioty can operate at speeds of up to 120 km/h. It is ideal for mobile applications in the transportation sector.

Energy consumption is extremely low, which enables a battery life of up to 20 years. This reduces maintenance costs.

Telegram splitting and frequency hopping ensure interference-free and robust data transmission. Packet losses are minimized and reliability is improved.

mioty achieves a range of up to 5 km in urban areas and 15 km in rural areas. This enables a wide range of applications. By using the license-free sub-GHz spectrum, mioty can be used worldwide. Implementation in global projects is made easier.

mioty can process more than 1 million devices per network and up to 1.5 million messages per day. This makes it ideal for large IoT networks.

A Comparison of mioty with Other LPWAN Technologies

mioty and other LPWAN technologies such as LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, SigFox and LTE-M offer various advantages.

mioty uses its own network and supports private networks. LoRaWAN can be operated both in private networks and via public providers. NB-IoT, LTE-M and Sigfox work via network operators such as Telekom, Telefonica and Vodafone and do not support private networks.

mioty, LoRaWAN and Sigfox are unlicensed. NB-IoT and LTE-M are licensed. The initial effort for mioty and LoRaWAN is moderate to high, while NB-IoT and LTE-M require low to moderate effort. Sigfox also has a low to moderate initial outlay.

For mioty, there are manufacturers such as Weptech, Behrtech and Swissphone. LoRaWAN offers a wide selection of manufacturers, including Kerlink, Milesight and Multitech. NB-IoT has vendors such as NSN, Alcatel Lucent and Huawei, while LTE-M is supported by ZTE, Samsung and Airspan. SigFox uses its own products.

For end devices, Sentinum and Behrtech offer mioty solutions. LoRaWAN has manufacturers such as Sensoneo, Decentlab and Adeunis. NB-IoT offers products from Miromico, Sensoneo and Lobaro. LTE-M has vendors such as Sercomm and mcThings, and Sigfox has products from Taqt, ATIM and Adeunis.

mioty and LoRaWAN use the 868 MHz band in Europe. NB-IoT and LTE-M operate in the 800 MHz and 900 MHz bands. Sigfox also uses 868 MHz. The range of mioty, LoRaWAN and Sigfox is between 2 and 10 km. NB-IoT and LTE-M reach up to 20 km.

The maximum transmission power of mioty, LoRaWAN and Sigfox is 14 dBm, while NB-IoT reaches 23 dBm and LTE-M 15 dBm. LoRaWAN, NB-IoT and LTE-M are used worldwide. mioty is even less widespread, but is gaining in importance. Sigfox covers more than 60 countries.

All technologies, including mioty, LoRaWAN, NB-IoT, LTE-M and Sigfox, offer encryption to protect data transmission.

A Competition Between LoRaWAN, Mioty, NB-IoT, LTE-M and Sigfox.
A Comparison of LPWAN Technologies

Partners Spezialized in mioty Solutions

Outlook: The Further Development of mioty

mioty will play an important role in topics related to localization in the future. The precise positioning of devices and objects improves many applications, from smart cities to logistics.

Energy harvesting will further extend the battery life of mioty devices. Devices can harvest their energy from the environment, reducing maintenance costs and increasing sustainability.

AI-related sensors are a further development step. These sensors can process data locally and make intelligent decisions before sending information. This reduces the network load and increases efficiency.

mioty is increasingly being used to control actuators. Not only can data be recorded, but actions can also be triggered. This opens up new possibilities in automation and control.

Technology in Focus: mioty - Interview with Peter Hedberg
Introducing the mioty alliance

“Localization topics such as satellite IoT, energy harvesting and AI-related sensors as well as the control of actuators are on the technical roadmap.”

Peter Hedberg

General Manager, mioty alliance

Logo Mioty Alliance

Goals of the mioty alliance

The mioty alliance aims to establish mioty as the leading technology among LPWAN technologies. This is to be achieved by promoting the unique advantages and possibilities of mioty.

Another goal is to spread knowledge about the mioty standard. The alliance is working to provide information and training to promote a better understanding and wider acceptance of the technology.

The mioty alliance supports its members in optimizing and expanding their product offerings. By working together and sharing best practices, members can improve their products and take advantage of new market opportunities.

The mioty alliance is thus committed to advancing the technology and making its members successful.

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