Performance Modelling of Multi-Hop LoRa-based Networks for IoT Applications

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has driven the adoption of numerous applications that rely on wireless connectivity, including smart cities and precision agriculture. Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWANs) have emerged as a key enabler for IoT due to their ability to provide energy efficiency, low deployment costs, extensive coverage, and support for large-scale networks. Among LPWAN technologies, Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) has gained significant attention, thanks to its open standard and the ease of establishing private networks. Conventional LoRaWAN networks typically employ a single-hop, star-topology design, where end-devices communicate directly with central gateways. More recently, research has explored multihop LoRaWAN architectures, enabling the creation of wireless mesh networks that extend network reach and reliability. Two multi-hop LoRa-based networks are evaluated in this work. First, the Wake-on-Radio (WOR) LoRaWAN protocol, a relay-based multi-hop LoRaWAN scheme proposed by the LoRa Alliance, and second, a novel up-link focused multi-hop LoRa-based network introduced in this study, called LoRaMesh, which employs a slotted ALOHA medium access control (MAC) protocol. The design considerations and key decisions underlying LoRaMesh are discussed in detail throughout this thesis. Building on an analysis of physical layer capabilities and existing research, two simulation models were developed to enable comprehensive performance evaluation. The key performance metrics from these simulations are compared against a standard single-hop LoRaWAN network to assess the efficacy of the proposed protocols. Key findings from this study indicate that the proposed multi-hop LoRaMesh protocol can significantly reduce energy consumption and improve Quality of Service (QoS) for end-devices operating under adverse signal reception conditions compared to the standard LoRaWAN implementation. However, these advantages come at the expense of increased energy consumption at the relays, emphasizing the importance of proper network planning supported by the developed network simulation model. The WOR LoRaWAN simulation model provided valuable insights into the available network configuration parameters and the trade-offs associated with the periodic scanning approach. Furthermore, the results highlighted the necessity of implementing an efficient routing distribution mechanism at the network server to optimize overall network performance.

Grantor dc:publisher

Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Durand, Thomas Gerhardus

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Booysen, M. J.

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/135794

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/135794