Technical Architecture:

The technical implementation follows a straightforward pattern that avoids unnecessary complexity:

Layer 1: Sensor Network

LoRaWAN Sensors:
• Battery-powered (2-5 year life)
• Long-range transmission (2-10km in urban areas)
• License-free spectrum (no connectivity fees)
• Low data rate (perfect for periodic readings)
• Available from multiple manufacturers (no vendor lock-in)

Gateway:
• Single gateway covers typical property (150m radius indoors)
• Connects to internet via Ethernet or WiFi
• Registers with The Things Network (free)
• Approximately £200-400 depending on specification

Layer 2:

Device Management & Data Ingestion

The Things Network:
• Community-operated LoRaWAN network
• Free for fair use (typical sensor telemetry qualifies)
• Enterprise tier available for commercial deployments (modest fees vs. cellular alternatives)
• Routes sensor data to Azure IoT Hub
• No platform management required

Azure IoT Hub:
• Handles device registration and authentication
• Manages message routing and device twins
• Basic tier sufficient for typical property monitoring (message-based pricing)
• Essential infrastructure that's complicated enough without overbuilding on top

Fabric Event Streams:
• Receives data stream from IoT Hub
• Built-in integration eliminates custom code
• Auto-scales with data volume
• Data transformation capabilities if needed

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