Evaluating LoRaWAN Connectivity in a Marine Scenario

Abstract

The growing need for interoperability among the different oceanic monitoring systems to deliver services able to answer the requirements of stakeholders and end-users led to the development of a low-cost machine-to-machine communication system able to guarantee data reliability over marine paths. In this framework, an experimental evaluation of the performance of long-range (LoRa) technology in a fully operational marine scenario has been proposed. In-situ tests were carried out exploiting the availability of (i) a passenger vessel and (ii) a research vessel operating in the Ligurian basin (North-Western Mediterranean Sea) both hosting end-nodes, and (iii) gateways positioned on mountains and hills in the inland areas. Packet loss ratio, packet reception rate, received signal strength indicator, signal to noise, and expected signal power ratio were chosen as metrics in line of sight and not the line of sight conditions. The reliability of Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) transmission over the sea has been demonstrated up to more than 110 km in a free space scenario and for more than 20 km in a coastal urban environment.

Unveiling LoRa’s Oceanic Reach: Assessing the Coverage of the Azores LoRaWAN Network from an Island

“…However, according to the literature, a signal is considered weak for RSSI <= −120 dB. For the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), which is the ratio between the received signal power and the noise power level, the values of considered SNR in LoRa networks are between −20 dB and +10 dB [20,25]. Sub-GHz frequencies (868 MHz Europe) minimize signal attenuation due to obstacles and provide a robust modulation, allowing receivers with very low sensitivities of −140 dBm.…”

“…However, according to the literature, a signal is considered weak for RSSI <= −120 dB. For the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), which is the ratio between the received signal power and the noise power level, the values of considered SNR in LoRa networks are between −20 dB and +10 dB [20,25].…”

“…LoRa is well documented in the literature [12,18]. While the physics of LoRa transmission seems well suited for communication over the ocean, which is naturally free of permanent obstacles, the truth is that there are not many trials and tests where these characteristics have been tested and validated [19][20][21]. And to our knowledge, no trials have been conducted on an archipelago.…”

Research advancements in ocean environmental monitoring systems using wireless sensor networks: a review

“…In the recent advancement in wireless communication technologies, the LoRa communication technology is better for long-distance transmission as compared to other communication technology and it is also appropriate for ocean environment monitoring [71]. A lot of research work has been implemented in the field of LoRa communication technology to improve the ocean monitoring system's performance.…”

The Preliminary Investigation of Communication Characteristics Using Evaporation Duct across the Taiwan Strait

“…The public land mobile network has been undergoing rapid development and transformation in recent decades [1], from cable to optical cable, wired to wireless network [2], analog to digital communication, and first generation to sixth generation mobile communication technology [3]. In contrast, the development of marine communication is limited due to the complicated and changeable environment.…”