A New-Dynamic Adaptive Data Rate Algorithm of LoRaWAN in Harsh Environment

Abstract

The adaptive data rate (ADR) algorithm is used in LoRaWAN, allocating an appropriate transmission rate for terminal equipment to improve channel utilization and reduce power consumption. However, the standard ADR algorithm is only suitable for static terminal equipment. In addition, due to the complexity of the external environment, the selected data rate will not match the new environment and communication packets will be lost. Therefore, this article proposed a novel and more effective ADR algorithm called new-dynamic ADR (ND-ADR). The algorithm mainly solves two problems, i.e., the standard ADR algorithm cannot be applied to mobile terminal devices and the poor communication quality and high packet loss rate in harsh environments. In this study, we also developed a frame for LoRaWAN (FLoRaWAN), a simulation framework for the star network topology LoRaWAN in OPNET. Furthermore, we built an OKUMURA–HATA model and additionally introduced a noise factor <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\beta$ </tex-math></inline-formula> to simulate the loss of wireless communication in harsh environments. Finally, extensive simulation results showed that the number of data packets required by different end nodes for rate allocation was different. Compared with the standard ADR algorithm, even for mobile nodes in harsh environments, the ND-ADR algorithm reduced network energy consumption by about 13%, reduced network delay by about 18%, and increased effective throughput by about 15%. Therefore, the improved ND-ADR algorithm is more suitable for wireless communication of removable nodes in harsh environments. Its advantages are better awareness of link environment, faster data rate regulation, improved channel utilization, and further reduction of network energy consumption.