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What are the RF design differences between Sigfox, LoRa, and NB-IoT?

What are the RF design differences between Sigfox, LoRa, and NB-IoT LPWAN technologies? These three dominant LPWAN technologies share the goal of long-range, low-power communication but use fundamentally different RF approaches: (1) Sigfox: ultra-narrow band (UNB) at 100 Hz bandwidth. Modulation: DBPSK (uplink), GFSK (downlink). Data rate: 100 bps UL, 600 bps DL. TX power: 14 dBm (EU), 22 dBm (US). RX sensitivity (base station): -142 dBm. Link budget: 156-164 dB. Frequency: 868 MHz (EU), 915 MHz (US). Each message transmitted 3 times on random frequencies (frequency diversity). RF front end: simplest of all three (crystal oscillator + PA + LNA, no spreading, no synchronization). Max 140 messages/day. Operator-managed network only. (2) LoRa: chirp spread spectrum (CSS). Bandwidth: 125 kHz. Spreading factors SF7-SF12. Data rate: 250 bps (SF12) to 5.5 kbps (SF7). TX power: 14-22 dBm. RX sensitivity: -123 dBm (SF7) to -137 dBm (SF12). Link budget: 145-164 dB (depending on SF and power). Frequency: 868/915/433 MHz. RF front end: moderately complex (requires CSS modulator/demodulator, timing synchronization). Private or public network deployment (LoRaWAN or proprietary). (3) NB-IoT: narrowband cellular at 180 kHz bandwidth. Modulation: QPSK (base technology from LTE). Data rate: 26-62 kbps. TX power: 14-23 dBm. RX sensitivity: -141 dBm (with repetition coding). Link budget: 157-164 dB. Frequency: licensed cellular bands (e.g., 900 MHz, 800 MHz, 700 MHz). RF front end: most complex of the three (cellular modem, PA, filter bank for multiple bands, T/R switch). Operator-managed network. Requires SIM card. (4) Key RF differences: bandwidth: Sigfox 100 Hz << LoRa 125 kHz << NB-IoT 180 kHz. Sensitivity: all comparable at -137 to -142 dBm. Complexity: Sigfox (simplest) < LoRa (moderate) < NB-IoT (most complex). Spectrum: Sigfox/LoRa (unlicensed ISM) vs NB-IoT (licensed cellular). Cost: Sigfox/LoRa ($2-6 module) vs NB-IoT ($5-15 module). Network model: Sigfox (operator only) vs LoRa (private + operator) vs NB-IoT (operator only).
Category: Wireless Standards and Protocols
Updated: April 2026
Product Tie-In: IoT Modules, Filters, Antennas

Sigfox vs LoRa vs NB-IoT RF

The three LPWAN technologies represent different trade-offs between RF complexity, performance, and ecosystem, and the choice depends on the specific application requirements.

  • Performance verification: confirm specifications against the application requirements before finalizing the design
  • Environmental factors: temperature range, humidity, and vibration affect long-term reliability and parameter drift
  • Cost vs. performance: evaluate whether the application demands premium components or standard commercial grades
  1. Interface compatibility: verify impedance, connector type, and mechanical form factor match the system architecture
  2. Margin allocation: include sufficient design margin to account for manufacturing tolerances and aging effects
Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Which technology has the longest range?

All three achieve comparable maximum range (10-50 km LOS) because their link budgets are similar (156-164 dB). The range differences come from deployment (antenna height, environment) rather than technology. In dense urban: NB-IoT has an advantage due to repetition coding and existing cellular tower infrastructure. In rural: LoRa at SF12 and Sigfox can reach 15-30 km from a well-placed gateway.

Can I switch between technologies later?

Switching requires a hardware redesign: the RF transceiver and antenna are different for each technology. However: multi-protocol modules exist: Quectel BG95 (NB-IoT + LTE-M + GNSS). Nordic nRF9160 (NB-IoT + LTE-M + GNSS). Using LoRa + NB-IoT in the same device requires two RF chains (different frequencies, different protocols). For flexibility: design the PCB with footprints for both options, using a modular SoM (System on Module) approach.

What about power consumption?

Sleep current: Sigfox ≈ 0.5-1 μA, LoRa (SX1262) ≈ 0.16 μA, NB-IoT ≈ 1-5 μA (PSM mode). TX current: Sigfox ≈ 45 mA (14 dBm), LoRa ≈ 45-120 mA (14-22 dBm), NB-IoT ≈ 200-350 mA (23 dBm). LoRa has the lowest sleep current, which is the dominant factor for battery life in infrequent-reporting applications. NB-IoT has the highest TX current but the shortest TX time (higher data rate). For applications with 1 transmission per hour: all three achieve 5-10+ year battery life on 2× AA cells.

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Glossary

Related Terms

Noise Figure → LNA → Noise Floor → S-Parameters → Insertion Loss → Return Loss →
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