LoRaWAN and tank monitoring:
the complete guide

lan 1. What is LoRaWAN?

LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) is a network communication protocol designed for the Internet of Things. It defines how devices (sensors) communicate with gateways and the cloud. It is the software layer that relies on the LoRa physical layer (radio technology).

In simple terms: LoRa is the radio that emits the signal. LoRaWAN is the language that devices speak to organize and transmit data reliably and securely. This is an open standard maintained by the LoRa Alliance, a consortium of more than 500 companies worldwide.

LoRaWAN's objective is to enable low-cost, low-power devices to communicate over long distances with minimal infrastructure. This is exactly what it takes for tank level sensors, which only need to send a few bytes of information a few times a day.

account_tree 2. How LoRaWAN works: gateway, sensor, cloud

LoRaWAN architecture is simple and elegant. It is based on three main components that work together to send data from the sensor to the user.

The three layers of LoRaWAN

• End Device: the device that measures the level of the tank. It is equipped with a LoRa radio module that transmits data to the nearest gateway.
• Gateway: a receiver that captures LoRa signals within a radius of several kilometres. It relays data to the network via the Internet (4G, fiber, ADSL).
• The Network Server (Cloud): the platform that receives, decodes and stores the data. This is where tankio algorithms transform raw measurements into useful information (volume in litres, alerts, graphs).

With Tankio, the included WiFi gateway receives sensor data over LoRa and forwards it to the internet. The product does not depend on a public LoRaWAN network and there is no second gateway-free version.

radio 3. The 868 MHz frequency in Europe

LoRaWAN uses the 868 MHz frequency band in Europe (and 915 MHz in North America). It is an ISM (Industrial, Scientific and Medical) band that is free to use, without a license, meaning that anyone can transmit without paying any fees.

The choice of 868 MHz is strategic: this frequency offers an excellent compromise between range and penetration. The 868 MHz waves pass much better through obstacles (walls, concrete, ground) than the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz WiFi waves. This is why a LoRa signal can pass through a cellar slab while a WiFi signal would be completely blocked.

Transmission power is limited to 25 mW (14 dBm) in Europe, which is much lower than a mobile phone (up to 2 W). Combined with the exceptional sensitivity of the LoRa receivers (-137 dBm), this allows to reach ranges of several kilometers with minimal power consumption.

signal_cellular_alt 4. Range and penetration: up to 5 km through concrete

LoRaWAN's reach is one of its major assets. In real conditions, count:

• Dense urban area: 1 to 2 km of range, the signal crosses the walls of the adjoining houses.
• Peri-urban/residential area: 2 to 5 km of typical range.
• Rural area / open field : up to 10-15 km with an optimal antenna.
• In cellar or basement : reliable communication with a gateway located upstairs or in a neighbouring building.
• Underground tank: the signal crosses 1 to 2 meters of soil and concrete without difficulty.

This exceptional range is obtained through the modulation technique CSS (Chirp spread spectrum) used by LoRa. This technique spreads the signal over a wide frequency band, making it extremely resistant to noise and interference. The same technology is used in radar and space communications.

For Belgian owners whose tank is often buried in the garden or located in a cellar, this penetration capacity is decisive. It ensures that the sensor always communicates, even under the most difficult conditions. For a concrete demonstration, discover the Tankio connected level sensor.

lock 5. LoRaWAN Security

Security is a fundamental aspect of LoRaWAN. The protocol incorporates two encryption layers: one for the network (to prevent intrusions) and one for application data (to ensure that only authorised applications can read it).

Specifically, each sensor has a unique encryption key, generated and stored in the factory. The data transmitted is encrypted from end to end: even if a third party intercepts the radio signal, it cannot decipher it. This is the same level of security as that used by banks for electronic transactions.

In addition, LoRaWAN uses a Frame counter which prevents replay attacks: an intercepted message cannot be retransmitted later to simulate a false measurement. Each message is unique and time-bound.

In 2026, the security of connected objects is a major issue. LoRaWAN is the only public IoT protocol to integrate end-to-end encryption by default.

ground_water 6. Applications for buried tanks

The buried tanks present the most demanding use case for a connected solution. Built into the ground, often made of concrete or thick plastic, they are difficult to reach and the radio signal must pass through several layers of material.

LoRaWAN excels in this context. The frequency 868 MHz crosses the ground and concrete much better than WiFi or Bluetooth. A sensor installed in a tank buried 1.5 metres deep communicates smoothly with a gateway located in the house, even if it is on the surface.

For an underground water tank, the main challenges are access to the hatch, protecting water quality and transmitting through the ground. The LoRa link lets you read the level without opening the tank each time.

compare 7. LoRaWAN vs other protocols (WiFi, Bluetooth, Sigfox)

The table speaks for itself: LoRaWAN offers the best compromise for tank monitoring, with exceptional range, long battery life and minimal infrastructure cost. Sigfox is a direct competitor but its proprietary network and ultra-low throughput limit the possibilities of evolution.

verified 8. Why Tankio uses LoRa with its gateway

Tankio uses a LoRa link between the sensor and the included WiFi gateway. This architecture provides the range needed for underground tanks, low energy consumption and a controlled internet connection from the building, without relying on a public LoRaWAN network.

LoRaWAN is an open standard. In the Tankio architecture, the sensor communicates over LoRa with the supplied gateway, which connects to the internet over WiFi. This local setup avoids dependence on the availability of a public LoRaWAN network.