LoRaWAN MAC physical layer (PHY layer) version table
/| LoRaWAN MAC and PHY Layer Table | ||
|---|---|---|
| MAC Version | PHY Version | |
| MAC v1.0 | PHY v1.0 | |
| MAC v1.0.1 | PHY v1.0.1 | |
| MAC v1.0.2 | PHY v1.0.2 REV A | PHY v1.0.2 REV B |
| MAC v1.0.3 | PHY v1.0.3 REV A | |
| MAC v1.1 | PHY v1.1 REV A | PHY v1.1 REV B |
| LoRaWAN Specifications and Regional Parameters Documentation | ||
QUESTION: In the LoRaWAN specification, what MAC layer version corresponds to which physical layer (PHY layer) version?
ANSWER: Here is a reference table matching MAC layer versions to their corresponding PHY layer versions. All versions of LoRaWAN specification and Regional Parameters documentation can be found on the LoRa Alliance website here: https://lora-alliance.org/resource-hub
BARANI wireless weather station LoRaWAN settings:
Europe devices:
Frequency plan - Europe 863-870 MHz (SF12 for RX2)
LoRaWAN version - LoRaWAN Specification 1.0.2
Regional Parameters version - RP001 Regional Parameters 1.0.2 or 1.0.2 revision B
LoRaWAN Class - Class A
Activation mode - OTAA (Over the air activation)
USA/North America devices:
Frequency plan - United States 902-928 MHz, FSB 2 (used by TTN)
LoRaWAN version - LoRaWAN Specification 1.0.2
Regional Parameters version - RP001 Regional Parameters 1.0.2 or 1.0.2 revision B
LoRaWAN Class - Class A
Activation mode - OTAA (Over the air activation)
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Do not forget to use the correct LoRaWAN App_key, which comes together with the device (written in the quick start guide)
As a rule of thumb, each MAC layer version corresponds to an identical PHY layer version. When configuring a device, one needs to select the same PHY version as the MAC version.
Example: If the MAC version is v1.0.2, then the PHY version will be either v1.0.2 Rev A or v1.0.2 Rev B.
What are LoRaWAN MAC & PHY layers?
PHY layer defines the physical and electrical characteristics of a network. It is responsible for managing the hardware level electrical and radio frequency (RF) signal communication.
MAC layer is responsible for managing data frames that the PHY layer physically sends and receives. Part of each sent message contains a MAC layer data header that has addressing information and other packet info. The MAC layer for example, also takes care of packet tracking. By default, LoRaWAN does not use packet tracking to reduce transmission on-air time and reduce power consumption, but packet acknowledgment ACK may be used for alarms and other critical data functions. Other LoRaWAN network characteristics follow:
When a device is transmitting, it cannot receive packets, hence the receive window for a LoRaWAN device happens a short time after it finishes sending its data.
When a LoRaWAN device radio is not sleeping, it is receiving or transmitting. Otherwise its modem/transmitter/receiver is sleeping.
There are no master/slave requirements in the MAC/PHY layers. These are usually set in the communication protocol firmware code of a device.
Where to find more information?
LoRaWAN module and chip manufacturers will be able to answer more details and which MAC/PHY layer versions their devices support: