LoRaWAN Radio Interface Analysis for North American Frequency Band Operation

Numerous candidate systems have emerged to address the connectivity requirements of Low Power Wireless Access (LPWA) Internet of Things (IoT) applications for massive Machine Type Communication (MTC). This paper analyzes the radio interface design of LoRaWAN systems operating in the North American 915 MHz licence-exempt frequency band. After providing a detailed overview of LoRaWAN system and connectivity structuring, the performance of LoRaWAN radio interface under the default North American mode of operation is thoroughly analyzed. Specifically, coverage, capacity and End Device (ED) throughput rates are determined for defined LoRaWAN Data Rate (DR) classes. Analysis of the LoRaWAN radio interface reveals a requirement of non-uniform ED distribution to attain maximal coverage and capacity, with the DR class achieving maximal coverage providing 1% of the peak capacity and the DRs providing 76% of the maximal capacity confined within 26% of the peak coverage area.