Comparison of Frequency Bands for Wireless Communication in Forests Using LoRa Modulation

IEEE Annual Computers, Software, and Applications Conference (COMPSAC), vol. 44, pp. 1368–1374

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a practical com-parative analysis of the LoRa modulation being used in different license-free sub-gigahertz radio frequency bands to realize local communication infrastructures inside forests. In particular, LoRa modulation is used in the European ISM (industrial, scientific and medical) bands at 169,433 and 868 MHz. Using comparable modulation parameters for the different frequency bands, the achievable range in the forest is compared. Since mobile networks are often not available in forests or rural areas, the setup of local wireless networks becomes inevitable when data infrastructures are required. A promising technology for such Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) is LoRa. The aim is to investigate if the de-facto standard frequency of 868 MHz in Europe is the ideal choice for LoRa communication inside forests. The results of this study can be consulted when setting up data infrastructures inside forests, for instance, for the digitization of forestry, for environmental monitoring networks or to build rescue chains for forest workers. Based on the measurements, it could be shown that using a lower frequency of 169 MHz is far superior to the higher and more common frequencies available for license-free wireless communication with LoRa inside forests.

Authors 5

1. Christoph Susen Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering,Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

2. Philipp Nenninger

   Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute for Energy Efficient Mobility, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences,Karlsruhe,Germany

   Institute for Energy Efficient Mobility, Karlsruhe University of Applied Sciences, Karlsruhe, Germany

3. Christian Fimmers Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering,Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

4. Simon Storms Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering,Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany

5. Werner Herfs Aachen Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (WZL)

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   RWTH Aachen University,Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering,Aachen,Germany

   Laboratory for Machine Tools and Production Engineering, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany