Lpwan Applications In The 2.4 Ghz Band: A Viable Choice?

Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) are an emerging paradigm for low-cost and long-range connection of sensor networks. While most technologies focus on sub-GHz frequencies for their low path loss, the 2.4 GHz band is also an interesting choice due to its high bandwidth and global availability. In this paper, we report our results from a measurement campaign performed in Karlsuhe, Germany, where we investigate the interference background in different scenarios typical for Smart City applications. Using our software implementation of the IEEE 802.15.4 LECIM DSSS PHY and the recorded noise and interference, we also quantify its impact on the performance of a practical LPWAN waveform in terms of packet error rate and effectively available bandwidth at different received signal strengths. Even though it turns out that link budget calculations based on AWGN might be too optimistic, promising results are presented for a two-way single-channel network with up to two retransmissions.