Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization
The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities calls for low-power wireless communication networks, for which the Long-Range (LoRa) is a rising star. Efficient network engineering requires the accurate prediction of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) spatial distribution. Howeve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/8/2717 |
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| author | Ricardo M. R. Adão Eduardo Balvís Alicia V. Carpentier Humberto Michinel Jana B. Nieder |
| author_facet | Ricardo M. R. Adão Eduardo Balvís Alicia V. Carpentier Humberto Michinel Jana B. Nieder |
| author_sort | Ricardo M. R. Adão |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities calls for low-power wireless communication networks, for which the Long-Range (LoRa) is a rising star. Efficient network engineering requires the accurate prediction of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) spatial distribution. However, the most commonly used models either lack the physical accurateness, resolution, or versatility for cityscape real-world building distribution-based RSSI predictions. For this purpose, we apply the 2D electric field wave-propagation Oscillator Finite-Difference Time-Domain (O-FDTD) method, using the complex dielectric permittivity to model reflection and absorption effects by concrete walls and the receiver sensitivity as the threshold to obtain a simulated coverage area in a 600 × 600 m<sup>2</sup> square. Further, we report a simple and low-cost method to experimentally determine the signal coverage area based on mapping communication response-time delays. The simulations show a strong building influence on the RSSI, compared against the Free-Space Path (FSPL) model. We obtain a spatial overlap of 84% between the O-FDTD simulated and experimental signal coverage maps. Our proof-of-concept approach is thoroughly discussed compared to previous works, outlining error sources and possible future improvements. O-FDTD is demonstrated to be most promising for both indoors and outdoors applications and presents a powerful tool for IoT and smart city planners. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:23:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-513c0eb669be4a3b92135708281efa19 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:23:07Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj.art-513c0eb669be4a3b92135708281efa192023-11-21T15:15:38ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202021-04-01218271710.3390/s21082717Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental CharacterizationRicardo M. R. Adão0Eduardo Balvís1Alicia V. Carpentier2Humberto Michinel3Jana B. Nieder4Ultrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics Group, INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalERH-Illumnia, R. Feijoo 1, 32005 Ourense, SpainDefense University Center at the Spanish Naval Academy, University of Vigo, Plaza de España, S/N, 36920 Marín, SpainCampus de Ourense s/n, Aerospace Engineering School, Universidade de Vigo, 32004 Ourense, SpainUltrafast Bio- and Nanophotonics Group, INL—International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory, Av. Mestre José Veiga s/n, 4715-330 Braga, PortugalThe age of the Internet of Things (IoT) and smart cities calls for low-power wireless communication networks, for which the Long-Range (LoRa) is a rising star. Efficient network engineering requires the accurate prediction of the Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) spatial distribution. However, the most commonly used models either lack the physical accurateness, resolution, or versatility for cityscape real-world building distribution-based RSSI predictions. For this purpose, we apply the 2D electric field wave-propagation Oscillator Finite-Difference Time-Domain (O-FDTD) method, using the complex dielectric permittivity to model reflection and absorption effects by concrete walls and the receiver sensitivity as the threshold to obtain a simulated coverage area in a 600 × 600 m<sup>2</sup> square. Further, we report a simple and low-cost method to experimentally determine the signal coverage area based on mapping communication response-time delays. The simulations show a strong building influence on the RSSI, compared against the Free-Space Path (FSPL) model. We obtain a spatial overlap of 84% between the O-FDTD simulated and experimental signal coverage maps. Our proof-of-concept approach is thoroughly discussed compared to previous works, outlining error sources and possible future improvements. O-FDTD is demonstrated to be most promising for both indoors and outdoors applications and presents a powerful tool for IoT and smart city planners.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/8/2717LoRaRSSIRF propagationO-FDTD simulationsInternet of Things (IoT)smart city |
| spellingShingle | Ricardo M. R. Adão Eduardo Balvís Alicia V. Carpentier Humberto Michinel Jana B. Nieder Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization Sensors LoRa RSSI RF propagation O-FDTD simulations Internet of Things (IoT) smart city |
| title | Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization |
| title_full | Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization |
| title_fullStr | Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization |
| title_short | Cityscape LoRa Signal Propagation Predicted and Tested Using Real-World Building-Data Based O-FDTD Simulations and Experimental Characterization |
| title_sort | cityscape lora signal propagation predicted and tested using real world building data based o fdtd simulations and experimental characterization |
| topic | LoRa RSSI RF propagation O-FDTD simulations Internet of Things (IoT) smart city |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/8/2717 |
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