Performance Evaluation of LoRa networks for Air-to-Ground Communications

Abstract: The current focus on the Internet of Things (IoT) has led to the emergence of many network scenarios with unlimited use cases, including smart homes, smart cities, smart agriculture, and more. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones, have become increasingly popular due to their versatility and ability to collect and transmit data through various sensors and cameras. With real-time data transmission, autonomy, and cost-effectiveness, UAVs have become valuable tools for different applications, including disaster management, agriculture monitoring, and remote area control. Low-power wide-area network (LPWAN) technology plays a crucial role in enabling IoT, and LoRaWAN is one of the specific LPWAN communication technologies that can provide low power consumption and coverage over a wide range. During a catastrophe, wireless communication is critical for analyzing damaged regions, coordinating rescue and relief team actions, saving lives, and reducing economic losses. UAVs can partially replace damaged or overloaded wireless networks as an alternative wireless network provider. This thesis aimed to simulate a LoRa network and investigate the relationship between the UAV coverage radius and elevation angle, as well as the effect of multipath distortion and signal attenuation on UAV and user distance. By calculating signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and bit error rate (BER) for LoRa in a line-of-sight (LoS) and non-line-of-sight (NLoS) environment, we provided a comprehensive analysis of LoRaWAN performance in real-life environments for long distances. The results indicate that LoRaWAN communication is reliable in various environments, making it a promising technology for emergency and medical communications.