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

João Pinelo, André Dionísio Rocha, Miguel Arvana, João Gonçalves, Nuno Cota, Pedro Silva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Citations (Scopus)
34 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

In maritime settings, effective communication between vessels and land infrastructure is crucial, but existing technologies often prove impractical for energy-sensitive IoT applications, like deploying sensors at sea. In this study, we explore the viability of a low-power, cost-effective wireless communication solution for maritime sensing data. Specifically, we conduct an experimental assessment of the Azorean Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) coverage. Our tests involve positioning the gateway at the island’s highest point and installing end nodes on medium-sized fishing vessels. Through measurements of received signal strength indicator (RSSI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and lines of sight (LOS), we showcase the potential of LoRaWAN transmissions to achieve communication distances exceeding 130 km in a LOS-free scenario over the ocean. These findings highlight the promising capabilities of LoRaWAN for reliable and long-range maritime communication of sensing data.
Original languageEnglish
Article number7394
Number of pages14
JournalSensors
Volume23
Issue number17
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Aug 2023

Keywords

  • Internet of Things (IoT)
  • LoRa
  • LoRaWAN
  • low power wide area network (LP-WAN)
  • maritime communications

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