Analysis of the visibility and signal strength of the LoRaWAN network in an urbanized area – a case study of the Bielany campus at the Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń

In order to assess or determine the overall quality of the surrounding geographical environment, it is necessary to measure selected factors that directly or indirectly affect its condition. The aspects to be monitored include i.a. air pollution levels, surface water purity, soil erosion rates, as well as night sky light pollution, a phenomenon increasingly often observed with the unaided eye. To collect data on the night sky brightness on a regular basis, a remote measuring device was designed and constructed using specialised electronic components, wireless communication, programming code, a high-sensitivity digital light data logger and custom-made programme code. LPWAN networks, including LoRa technology, were developed to support a number of mobile devices where long wireless operation is a priority. To determine the potential use of LoRa technology, as well as to plan the target locations of network access gates (gateways) and the deployment of measuring devices for the collection of environmental data, tests of signal coverage and signal visibility, including measurements of its strength, were carried out in a selected, compact part of the city of Toruń. The paper presents the results of research on the visibility of the LoRa network in a built-up area, such as a university campus, using antennas of two different lengths. The obtained results can be used to design distributed measurement networks in areas with varying density of buildings.