What is the primary difference between LoRa and LoRaWAN?

LoRa is the proprietary physical layer (PHY, Layer 1) modulation technique based on Chirp Spread Spectrum (CSS). It is responsible for creating the long-range, low-power radio communication link between an end-device and a gateway.

LoRaWAN is an open standard Media Access Control (MAC) layer protocol that operates on top of the LoRa physical layer. Maintained by the LoRa Alliance, LoRaWAN defines the network architecture and communication protocol, managing aspects like device addressing, data rates, security, and communication between gateways and a central network server. In essence, LoRa is the "physical" part of the signal, while LoRaWAN is the "language" or protocol the devices speak over that signal.

B. LoRa is the local radio link; the LoRaWAN architecture is what enables connectivity to the Internet via a network server.

C. Both LoRa and LoRaWAN are based on Radio Frequency (RF) communication in the sub-GHz ISM bands, not light.

D. This reverses the roles. LoRa is the Physical Layer (Layer 1), and LoRaWAN is primarily the MAC sublayer of the Data Link Layer (Layer 2).

1. LoRa Alliance, "What is LoRaWAN® specification?" "The LoRaWAN specification is a Low Power, Wide Area (LPWA) networking protocol designed to wirelessly connect battery operated ‘things’ to the internet... It leverages the LoRa® radio modulation technique." This source distinguishes LoRa as the underlying radio modulation and LoRaWAN as the networking protocol built upon it. (Reference: LoRa Alliance official website, Technology section).

2. Semtech Corporation, "LoRa and the LoRaWAN Protocol." "LoRa is the physical layer or the wireless modulation utilized to create the long range communication link... LoRaWAN is a MAC protocol for high capacity, long range, low power, and secure communication... The LoRaWAN protocol is a networking layer that sits on top of the LoRa physical layer." (Reference: Semtech, "AN1200.22 - LoRaWAN Overview", Section 2).

3. Adelantado, F., Vilajosana, X., Tuset-Peiro, P., Martinez, B., Melia-Segui, J., & Watteyne, T. (2017). "Understanding the Limits of LoRaWAN." IEEE Communications Magazine, 55(9), 34-40. "LoRa is a proprietary spread spectrum modulation scheme that is owned by Semtech. It operates in the sub-GHz frequency band and trades data rate for sensitivity within a fixed channel bandwidth. LoRaWAN is a MAC protocol built on top of the LoRa modulation." (DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/MCOM.2017.1600613, Section II.A).