3 Different Types of LoRaWAN Range Tests

Whether you are just curious, critical, or simply want to experiment, almost everyone eventually reaches the point where they want to explore the limits and possibilities of LoRaWAN - practically; far from specifications and data sheets. No one will want to skip a range test. But not all range tests are the same. To ensure clarity in project communication, we use a model that distinguishes between 3 different types of tests:

1. User-based range tests
2. Coverage test
3. Device-based connectivity test

1. User-based range test

The user-based range test describes the most basic test scenario to describe a radio signal at a selected point at a selected time. With enough measurement points, it conveys the rough coverage of a radio network. Procedure for setting up a user-based range test:

Gateways

• Option A: One or more Gateways have been installed in the test area.
• Option B: An existing network is used for the test (e.g., a community network like TTN)

Devices

• Option A: You already have a device for field tests (such as Adeunis Field Tester) and have registered it in the network.
• Option B: You have built a test device yourself that can provide insights into reception quality, for example.
• Recommendation: Enable the confirmed data up (CDU) option on the Sensor. This way, the network server confirms incoming messages. This allows you to fundamentally test the bidirectional communication of a LoRaWAN.

Test procedure

• One or more users move with the test devices in the planned network area.
• Each LoRa device is configured to send data packets regularly at short intervals.
• Users use devices with GPS, but also devices without GPS.

Analysis & Results

• The main goal is to get an impression of the radio quality in the field itself. The results are, if at all, only roughly recorded or further used for a specific examination.
• For an initial overview

2. Coverage test

The coverage test aims to generate data that allows you to create a coverage heatmap of your radio network area. Data collection mainly takes place outdoors with a GPS-based LoRaWAN device.

Gateways

• Option A: One or more Gateways have been installed in the test area.
• Option B: An existing network is used for the test (e.g., a community network like TTN)

Devices

• Option A: You already have a device for field tests (such as Adeunis Field Tester) and have registered it in the network.
• Option B: You have built a test device yourself that can provide insights into reception quality, for example.
• Recommendation: Enable the confirmed data up (CDU) option on the LNS. This way, the network server confirms incoming messages. This allows you to fundamentally test the bidirectional communication of a LoRaWAN.

Test procedure

• Each LoRa device is configured to send data packets regularly at short intervals.
• Option A: Users use devices with GPS, but also devices without GPS.
• Option B: One or more devices are installed on a vehicle (bicycle, car, tram) that moves along a predefined route.

Analysis & Results

• The test results must be persisted/stored.
• This allows them to be further processed in a mapping application (e.g., Google Maps, Google Earth, Carto, Worldmap Panel, etc.).

The coverage test could also be considered an extension of the user-based range test (see above). The main differences are the amount and detail of the evaluation.

3. Device-based connectivity test

If you plan to install a device at a specific location, you are primarily interested in the coverage or radio quality of this area under all circumstances and with all types of influences (e.g., weather, moving objects like cars, other RF influences, seasonal influences like vegetation, etc.).

Gateways

• Option A: One or more Gateways have been installed in the test area.
• Option B: An existing network is used for the test (e.g., a community network like TTN)

Devices

• Option A: An operational test device (such as Adeunis Field Tester) is registered in the network.
• Option B: You have built a test device yourself that can provide insights into reception quality, for example.
• Recommendation: We recommend a device with a powerful battery for several days with a short transmission interval.

Test procedure

• Each LoRa device is configured to send data regularly at the shortest possible intervals.
• The device is placed at (or near) a specific installation site and can transmit over an extended period.

Analysis & Results

• The test results must be stored and exported for analysis (e.g., packet loss, min-max-avg RSSI, RF quality influences, etc.).

Further information

For those who want to delve deeper into the subject of range and penetration of radio networks, the following two articles are recommended:

• The most important factors for good LoRaWAN radio range
• Range and coverage of LoRaWAN in practice

These articles delve into the physical properties of radio networks and provide concrete examples. If you have further questions, you can contact us.