LoRa Localization: With GNSS or Without?

In recent years, localization with LoRaWAN has been introduced as a potential low-power alternative to GNSS. However, previous research has shown that these methods produce large estimation errors, which is not desirable for IoT applications that depend on accurate location information. Therefore, a thorough analysis of the trade-offs between GNSS and GNSS-less localization should be conducted before choosing either option. Whereas previous works focused on evaluating the performance of specific localization methods, we analyze the balance between other application requirements and technological parameters. This article first describes the relevant technological parameters of both GNSS and LoRAWAN that should be considered, and briefly explains how GNSS and GNSS-less localization algorithms work. Next, we identify battery lifetime and location update rate as application requirements affected by these parameters, and illustrate how to determine the balance between requirements and technology. Finally, realistic examples of IoT applications clarify how our analysis can aid in the choice between localization with or without GNSS.