A Scheduled Cluster-Tree Topology to Enable Wide-Scale LoRaWAN Networks

Abstract

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) based on the Long-Range radio modulation (LoRa) can use the LoRaWAN protocol as the medium access layer. However, this protocol only supports a single-hop star topology. As a consequence, devices can not use retransmissions along the network to extend their coverage area or to circumvent signal attenuation with distance, obstacles or interference from other radio sources. This paper proposes a multi-hop LoRaWAN wide-scale WSN based on a scheduled cluster-tree topology. This methodology can expand the spatial coverage of the network, decrease collisions, and improve overall network performance. A multi-hop cluster-tree topology eliminates the need for adjustments of LoRa radio parameters as an attempt to expand the single-hop coverage limitation. Simulation results show that the scheduled cluster-tree topology can scale the network coverage and significantly improve communication and energy consumption performances.