Best Practices for LoRaWAN® Gateway Deployment: Ensuring Excellent RF Coverage at Low Cost

LoRaWAN® is a widely used LPWAN technology for IoT, offering long-range, low-power connectivity for various applications. However, the success of a LoRaWAN® network greatly depends on the proper installation and deployment of gateways.

Recently, a company in Asia approached TEKTELIC with concerns about poor performance from their existing non-TEKTELIC LoRaWAN® gateway. Upon review, it became clear that both the gateway selection and installation were not ideal, leading to weak RF coverage and increased costs.

In this article, we’ll explore what the main issues are and share best practices for effective LoRaWAN® gateway deployment.

Challenges: Poor Installation and Gateway Choice

Figure 1: Inefficient and Costly LoRaWAN® Gateway Installation

An analysis of the setup in Figure 1 highlights several key issues:

1. Low-Quality RF Cable:The installation uses a long RG-type cable, which is unsuitable for outdoor deployments. These cables are not designed for high-performance RF applications due to:
   • High signal loss, which reduces receiver sensitivity.
   • Poor moisture protection and durability.
   • Susceptibility to damage, especially when bent at sharp angles.

Solution: Use high-quality cables such as LMR-400, LMR-600, or HELIAX cables from Andrew. These cables offer lower signal loss, better moisture resistance, and long-term cost efficiency.

For more details on selecting the right RF cables, check out our article on How to Choose The Proper RF Cables For Reliable LoRaWAN® Networks.

2. Inadequate Gateway Placement:The gateway was installed at a low height, leading to significant signal obstructions. For optimal placement:
   • The gateway should be at least 5-7 meters above the building rooftop.
   • The antenna should be positioned well above surrounding obstacles like other rooftops.

2. Incorrect Antenna Selection:The antenna used in the setup has a high gain (12-15 dBi), which focuses most RF energy outward with minimal downward coverage. This setup is inefficient for urban and semi-urban areas where balanced indoor and outdoor coverage is needed.

Solution: Use a 6 dBi antenna to achieve a balanced radiation pattern that provides both long-range and downward coverage.

4. Unreliable Backhaul:The installation lacks visible external GPS and cellular antennas, which raises concerns about backhaul reliability and time synchronization.

Best Practices for LoRaWAN® Gateway Deployment

To ensure excellent RF coverage and cost efficiency, follow these guidelines:

1. Choose High-Performance Equipment: Select gateways that offer proven reliability and compatibility with the deployment environment. TEKTELIC Enterprise Gateways, for example, offer superior performance and cost-efficiency compared to the gateway previously deployed by the company in Asia.
2. Optimize Placement:
   • Install the gateway and antenna at sufficient height to avoid obstructions.
   • Use a stable mounting solution, such as a 5-6 meter pole secured with weighted support.
3. Select the Right Cables and Antennas:
   • Use short, high-quality cables to minimize signal loss.
   • Choose antennas with the right gain to match the deployment needs.
4. Understand RF Path Loss in Different Environments:
   • Suburban Areas: RF signals experience moderate attenuation due to buildings and vegetation, with a path loss exponent of around 3-4.
   • Rural Areas: With fewer obstacles, the path loss exponent is lower (2-3), allowing for extended range. However, terrain and vegetation can still impact coverage.
   • Installing antennas above rooftops and trees helps reduce obstructions and improves signal propagation.
5. Ensure Reliable Backhaul:
   • Deploy gateways with stable cellular or Ethernet backhaul.
   • Ensure GPS capability for accurate location tracking and time synchronization.

The Ideal Installation: A Case Study

Figure 2: Effective and Inexpensive LoRaWAN® Gateway Installation

The setup shown in Figure 2 demonstrates best practices:

• High Elevation: The gateway is mounted 15 meters above the ground, with the antenna positioned slightly higher to minimize RF shadowing and ensure optimal signal radiation.
• Premium Cable: The installation uses Andrew HELIAX cable to minimize signal loss and enhance durability.
• Optimal Coverage: The antenna placement allows for a coverage radius of 2-3 km with strong indoor penetration and extended outdoor range.
• Cost Efficiency: The setup achieves excellent coverage at a low cost, with support from the municipality for free deployment and maintenance.

Conclusion

Proper planning and execution are key to a successful LoRaWAN® deployment. By following best practices such as using high-quality components, optimizing placement, and selecting the right equipment, organizations can achieve strong RF coverage while keeping costs low.