Comparative Evaluation of IoT Mesh Network Protocols: NeoMesh Versus LoRa Pymesh

Abstract

Choosing the appropriate IoT mesh network protocols for implementation relies on an enterprise's specific application or ecosystem. Factors such as the network size, required latency, power consumption, security level, desired throughput, overall reliability, and performance collectively dictate the mesh networking protocol necessary for an organization. Neocortec's NeoMesh platform is a connectivity solution grounded in mesh topology, equipped with features tailored for enhanced reliability in ultra-low-power applications. Pycom's Pymesh platform, on the other hand, is an implementation of the LoRa mesh based on the open-source project Open Thread, actively developed and supported by industry leaders. Despite Open Thread being rooted in 802.15.4-2006, its high flexibility and layered architecture enable compatibility with LoRa Radio. Within the realm of Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technologies, NeoMesh and the long-range Pymesh LoRa stand out as two prominent mesh technologies. This paper delves into a comprehensive survey of NeoMesh and Pymesh LoRa, positioning them as efficient solutions for device connectivity. The analysis reveals that NeoMesh holds advantages concerning battery lifetime, reliability, security, capacity, and cost. In contrast, Pymesh offers benefits in terms of latency and range.