LoRaWAN Authentication for Low-Power Long-Range Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing authentication mechanisms require high power consumption and short-range communication protocols, limiting their usability in devices with smaller battery capacities and wider ranges.

Innovation Solution

Utilizing the LoRaWAN protocol for low-power, long-range communication to authenticate devices and transactions, enabling signal generation based on entity-specific information for verification and authorization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of stationary object

If Wi-Fi or cellular connections are used for authentication, then authentication can be performed with long range, but power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication rangeVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication protocol parameters by switching from Wi-Fi/cellular to LoRaWAN, which fundamentally alters the power consumption vs. range trade-off. LoRaWAN enables long-range communication with low power consumption by using spread spectrum modulation and optimized transmission parameters.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional Wi-Fi/cellular communication mechanism with a LoRaWAN-based communication system. This substitution enables authentication to proceed using low-power radio frequency communication instead of high-power wireless or cellular networks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Use of energy by moving object

If Bluetooth or NFC protocols are used for authentication, then power consumption is reduced, but communication range becomes limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication range

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the communication range parameter by transitioning from short-range protocols (Bluetooth/NFC) to LoRaWAN, which provides long-range capability while maintaining low power consumption characteristics through optimized transmission parameters and spread spectrum modulation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If existing authentication mechanisms are used, then authentication can be performed, but device complexity increases due to multiple networking technologies required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthentication capabilityVSAvoidnetworking technology requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the LoRaWAN module universal by enabling it to perform multiple functions: authentication, transaction communication, and status verification. This single-module approach replaces the need for separate Wi-Fi, cellular, Bluetooth, and NFC modules, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining authentication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the authentication functionality from the complex multi-network system and consolidates it into a single LoRaWAN-based authentication mechanism. This extraction simplifies the overall system by removing unnecessary networking technologies while preserving the essential authentication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS20250294360A1Communication, Authentication, and Validation Using LoRaWAN Protocol

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 BANK OF AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Communication, authentication, and/or validation may be required in various types of device interactions. For example, for some types of device functions, user or device authentication may be required to confirm that the function can and should be performed. Authentication information may be communicated and authentication and/or validation may be performed using LoRaWAN signaling. LoRaWAN signaling provides low power and long-range communication capabilities to efficiently and effectively perform authentication processes. In some arrangements, LoRaWAN signals may be generated by both a first device (e.g., a user device) and a second device (e.g., a function-performing device) and subsequently compared to determine whether they correspond. This correspondence may provide the requisite authentication or validation of the first device and/or an associated user.