Lora Performance and Its Phy Layer Parameters in 915MHZ ISM Band in Indoor Environments

Shinhye Yun, Purdue University

Abstract

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is a generic term for a group of wireless network standards such as Sigfox, NB-IoT, and LoRa. LPWAN technologies describe distinguishing key characteristics of wireless communication, such as long battery life, wide area communication, low cost, and limited size of data rate. In traditional wireless communications, it requires high transmit power in order to achieve long-distance communications. On the other hand, LPWAN technologies send data over long distances requiring a relatively small transmit power. It is possible because the size of the data is minimal. Other characteristics of LPWAN are network security and capacity. Due to these characteristics, LPWAN technologies are becoming one of the fastest developing wireless networks for the Internet of Things (IoT) solutions. Among the LPWAN standards, LoRa, an acronym of Long-Range, has gained lots of attention from many different fields. LoRa uses license-exempted ISM bands, which refers to Industrial, Science, and Medical bands. ISM bands are open frequency bands and free to use. However, available frequency bands vary from region to region depending on different requirements and regulations defined by regional technical committees. For example, LoRa operates in 868MHz bands in European regions, following the regulations defined and managed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). In the United States, LoRa operates in 915MHz frequency bands regulated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Many studies conducted LoRa experiments in European, Middle Eastern, and Asian regions. Most studies have focused on the measurements of LoRa performance in outdoor scenarios such as open-space areas, urban cities, marine, and forestry environments. Few studies in indoor environments showed LoRa performance of its communication range and signal strength. This study aims to evaluate Lora modulation technology by investigating its radio signal quality and reliability as a function of physical factors in indoor office environments at different distances. The measurement metrics used for the performance evaluation of LoRa technology are Received Packet Ratio (RPR), Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), and Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR).

Degree

M.Sc.

Advisors

Matson, Purdue University.

Subject Area

Atmospheric sciences|Electrical engineering|Electromagnetics|Energy|Information Technology|Medicine|Optics|Physics|Web Studies

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