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Glossary

Key LoRaWAN® and KONA Core terms used in this documentation.

ABP​

Activation by Personalization. A way to activate a device with session keys and a device address that are set in advance. The device doesn't run a join procedure. See also OTAA.

ADR​

Adaptive Data Rate. A mechanism in which the network server adjusts a device's data rate and transmit power to the quality of its radio link, to save airtime and battery.

Alarm​

In KONA Core, an event that reports a lasting problem, for example a device that went offline. KONA Core records Raised when the problem starts and adds a separate Clear record when it ends. See Events & Alarms.

Alarm rule​

In KONA Core, a set of triggers and notifications on an application or a gateway group. It decides who is notified about an alarm, by email, SMS or MQTT.

AppKey​

Application key. A secret root key shared by the device and the network. In OTAA, the device uses it to join the network and derive session keys. Never show a real AppKey in documentation.

Application​

In KONA Core, a group of devices with shared network settings, integrations and alarm rules. A Customer owns it and can assign it to a Sub-Customer. See Entity Model.

AppSKey​

Application session key. A session key that encrypts the application payload between the device and the application. It is derived at each OTAA join, or set in advance for ABP. Never show a real AppSKey in documentation. See also Session keys.

Beacon​

In LoRaWAN Class B, a timing signal that gateways send at a fixed interval. A Class B device uses it to open scheduled receive slots, called ping slots. See also Device class.

BSP​

Board support package. The firmware package of a KONA gateway: its operating system and software. KONA Core can read and upgrade the BSP version of KONA gateways. See Upgrade Gateway Firmware.

Channel mask​

A bit mask that tells a device which channels of the frequency plan it may use. It matters most in plans with many channels, such as US915 and AU915.

Confirmed message​

A message that the receiver must acknowledge. An unconfirmed message gets no acknowledgment. Both uplinks and downlinks can be confirmed.

Data converter​

In KONA Core, code that decodes uplink payloads and encodes downlink payloads for an integration. This documentation also calls it a payload converter. See Payload Converters Overview.

Data rate​

The combination of spreading factor and bandwidth a device uses to transmit. A higher data rate sends data faster but over a shorter range. The available data rates depend on the frequency plan.

Deduplication​

Keeping one copy of an uplink that several gateways received, so the application gets it once.

DevAddr​

Device address. A 32-bit address of a device in the network. The network assigns it at each OTAA join; for ABP, it is set in advance. KONA Core shows it as Device address.

DevEUI​

Device EUI. A unique 64-bit ID of a device, written as 16 hexadecimal characters. It is usually printed on the device label.

Device class​

Class A, B or C. The class decides when a device listens for downlinks: Class A only right after its own uplink, Class B also in scheduled slots, Class C almost all the time. See Device Activation & Classes.

Device model​

In KONA Core, a device type with its manufacturer, name and device class. Every device refers to one device model.

DevNonce​

A value a device sends in each join request. The network rejects a join request with a DevNonce it has already seen, to block replayed joins.

A message sent from the network to a device.

In KONA Core, the list of downlinks that wait to be sent to one device.

Duty cycle​

The share of time a device or gateway may transmit on a band, for example 1% in parts of EU868. Local radio regulations set the limit.

Dwell time​

The maximum time one transmission may occupy a channel. Some frequency plans limit it, for example AS923.

EIRP​

Effective isotropic radiated power. The transmit power including the antenna gain. Frequency plans limit the maximum EIRP.

Event​

In KONA Core, a record about a gateway, device or integration, with a type, a severity and a state. See Events & Alarms.

FPort​

The port number of a LoRaWAN message. The application uses it to tell kinds of payload apart. KONA Core shows it as Port.

Frame counter​

A counter in each message that increases with every uplink or downlink. The network uses it to reject repeated (replayed) messages.

Frequency plan​

The set of radio channels and parameters a device and gateway use in a region, such as EU868 or US915. It follows the LoRaWAN Regional Parameters.

Gateway​

A radio device that receives LoRa® messages from devices and forwards them to the network server over the internet, and sends downlinks back to devices.

Gateway group​

In KONA Core, a set of gateways that share configuration, firmware management and alarm rules. A Provider owns it and can assign it to a Customer.

Gateway model​

In KONA Core, a gateway type with its manufacturer, name and frequency plan. A Provider owns it, and every gateway refers to one gateway model.

GW-ID​

The ID of a gateway in KONA Core: its 64-bit gateway EUI, written as 16 hexadecimal characters. KONA Core shows it as GW-ID.

Installation margin​

In KONA Core, a reserve in dB that ADR keeps on top of the signal quality a data rate needs. A larger margin keeps the link more stable but uses more airtime. See Adaptive Data Rate (ADR).

Integration​

In KONA Core, a connection that forwards an application's data to an external system, for example over HTTP or MQTT, and takes downlinks back. See Integrations Overview.

Join request​

The OTAA message a device sends to join the network. If the network accepts it, it answers with a join accept, and the device and network derive new session keys.

Join Server​

The part of the network that checks OTAA join requests with the AppKey and derives the session keys. In KONA Core, it is part of the network server.

JoinEUI​

A 64-bit ID that identifies the join server a device uses during OTAA. Older LoRaWAN versions call it AppEUI. Write "JoinEUI (AppEUI)" on first use.

MAC command​

A LoRaWAN control message between the network server and a device, for example LinkADRReq, which changes the device's data rate.

MIC​

Message integrity code. A check value in every LoRaWAN message. The network uses it to verify that the message comes from the device and wasn't changed.

Multicast group​

In KONA Core, a group of devices in one application that receive the same downlink.

NbTrans​

The number of times a device sends each unconfirmed uplink. ADR can change it.

NwkSKey​

Network session key. A session key the network server uses to check the MIC of messages and to encrypt MAC commands. It is derived at each OTAA join, or set in advance for ABP. Never show a real NwkSKey in documentation. See also Session keys.

OTAA​

Over-the-Air Activation. A way for a device to join the network: the device and network exchange join messages and create new session keys at each join. This is the recommended activation method. See also ABP.

Packet forwarder​

Gateway software that forwards radio packets to the network server over UDP.

Receive window​

A short period after an uplink when a Class A device listens for a downlink. There are two: RX1, after the receive window delay, and RX2, one second after RX1.

Regional Parameters​

The LoRa Alliance® document that defines the frequency plan and radio parameters of each region.

RSSI​

Received signal strength indicator. The power of a received radio signal, in dBm. Values closer to 0 mean a stronger signal.

Session keys​

The NwkSKey and AppSKey of a device's current session. OTAA creates new session keys at each join; ABP uses fixed ones.

SNR​

Signal-to-noise ratio. How much stronger the signal is than the radio noise, in dB. LoRa can receive signals below the noise level, so negative values are normal at low data rates.

Spreading factor​

A LoRa modulation parameter, SF7 to SF12. A higher spreading factor reaches farther but sends slower and uses more airtime. Together with the bandwidth, it sets the data rate.

Sub-band​

A group of 8 uplink channels in US915 or AU915. A gateway usually listens on one sub-band, so the device must use the same one.

Tenant​

In KONA Core, an organization at the System, Provider, Customer or Sub-Customer level. Each tenant belongs to one tenant on the level above. See Tenancy Model.

A message sent from a device to the network.