6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks)

ShortRangeWireless offers scalable 6LoWPAN systems for secure, IPv6-based connectivity in IoT, industrial, and embedded networks

Enabling IPv6 Connectivity for IoT and Industrial Systems with 6LoWPAN Solutions

6LoWPAN is a powerful adaptation layer protocol that enables IPv6 connectivity over low-power wireless networks using IEEE 802.15.4 radios. Designed to bring internet protocols to constrained devices in mesh and star topologies, 6LoWPAN makes it possible for devices with limited memory and processing power to communicate over IP networks, allowing direct internet integration. Its lightweight nature supports highly scalable, secure, and interoperable networks with minimal overhead.

6LoWPAN plays a pivotal role in modern IoT ecosystems—from industrial monitoring and smart city infrastructure to home automation and agricultural sensing. As a B2B company, ShortRangeWireless delivers these capabilities across North America through a reliable ecosystem of advanced technologies, integration tools, and support systems. Our experts help businesses streamline low-power network deployments with optimized performance, security, and future-ready scalability

Technologies & Product Ecosystem

In addition to offering products and systems developed by our team and trusted partners for 6LoWPAN (IPv6 over Low-Power Wireless Personal Area Networks), we are proud to carry top-tier technologies from Global Advanced Operations Tek Inc. (GAO Tek Inc.) and Global Advanced Operations RFID Inc. (GAO RFID Inc.). These reliable, high-quality products and systems enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive technologies, integrations, and services you can trust. Where relevant, we have provided direct links to select products and systems from GAO Tek Inc. and GAO RFID Inc.

Core Components

Hardware

Software

  • 6LoWPAN Stack Implementations
    Lightweight IPv6 stacks (such as Contiki-NG, RIOT, or TinyOS) tailored for resource-constrained embedded systems.
  • Mesh Network Management Tools
    For configuration, diagnostics, over-the-air updates, and firmware distribution within the 6LoWPAN network.
  • Security Suites
    Layered cryptographic modules supporting IPsec, DTLS, and secure key exchange over constrained devices.
  • Integration Middleware
    Bridges that connect 6LoWPAN to MQTT, CoAP, or REST APIs for enterprise or cloud system integration.

Cloud Services

  • Device Provisioning & Lifecycle Management
    Scalable backend tools for onboarding, tracking, and managing 6LoWPAN-enabled devices.
  • Analytics Dashboards
    Real-time visualization and alerting of sensor metrics, power status, or fault data.
  • Remote Diagnostics & Updates
    Cloud-based infrastructure to support maintenance and secure updates over large device fleets.

Integrations and Compatibility

CoAP, MQTT, and HTTP APIs
For integration with cloud platforms and local servers.

IEEE 802.15.4 and Zigbee hardware
Compatible at the physical/MAC layer for shared infrastructure use.

IoT Platforms
Compatible with platforms such as AWS IoT, Azure IoT Hub, and Google Cloud IoT via edge gateways.

Security Protocols
Works with IPsec, DTLS, and TLS for end-to-end secured communication.

Key Features and Functionalities
  • Native IPv6 connectivity over low-power links
  • Header compression and fragmentation for efficiency
  • Seamless support for mesh, star, or hybrid topologies
  • Built-in support for end-to-end IP addressing and routing
  • Low-latency data transmission over constrained networks
  • Secure networking via end-to-end encryption and authentication
  • Adaptive to diverse frequency bands (sub-GHz or 2.4 GHz)
  • Energy-Efficient Networking
    Designed for battery-powered devices with long operational life.
  • Cost-Effective Scaling
    Supports thousands of devices with minimal infrastructure cost.
  • IP-Based Simplicity
    Enables devices to be addressed and managed directly from the internet.
  • Open Architecture
    Reduces vendor lock-in and supports flexible deployment scenarios.
  • Future-Proof IPv6 Compliance
    Ensures longevity and compatibility with evolving IP-based infrastructure.
  • Smart Agriculture (soil, water, livestock monitoring)
  • Industrial Automation (temperature, vibration, equipment health)
  • Smart Buildings (HVAC control, lighting automation, occupancy sensing)
  • Utility Metering (smart water, gas, and electricity metering)
  • Environmental Monitoring (air quality, noise, forest fire detection)
  • Smart Cities (traffic control, waste management, parking systems)
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Automation
  • Utilities & Energy
  • Agriculture & AgTech
  • Smart Cities & Urban Infrastructure
  • Healthcare & Assisted Living
  • Transportation & Logistics
  • Environmental Science & Research
  • IEEE 802.15.4
  • IETF RFC 4944 (6LoWPAN specification)
  • NIST SP 800-183
  • ANSI/CTA-2045
  • CSA C22.2 No. 213 (Canada)

Case Study

United States

Smart Parking System – Austin, TX

A municipal smart parking initiative integrated 6LoWPAN-enabled sensors with IPv6-based mesh networks to provide real-time data on parking availability. The system reduced traffic congestion by 18% and increased parking compliance with the use of low-power streetlight-mounted gateways connected to a centralized dashboard

United States

Precision Agriculture Network – Nebraska

A network of battery-powered soil moisture and temperature sensors was deployed across a large corn farm using 6LoWPAN. The solution enabled direct communication with cloud servers, saving 27% water usage through automated irrigation and improving yield predictability

Canada

Energy-Efficient Building Automation – Toronto, ON

In a retrofit project for a commercial office tower, 6LoWPAN wireless sensors were installed to control HVAC zones based on real-time occupancy and temperature. The deployment resulted in 22% energy savings and reduced carbon footprint, all achieved without re-wiring the building

Looking to implement or upgrade communication in your systems?

For more information about our 6LoWPAN solutions, integrations, or support services, contact ShortRangeWireless today. Our team is here to help you build smart, scalable, and secure wireless networks that meet your business needs. Let’s start a conversation