Edinburgh Napier University

  In this paper, we introduce Sensitivity-Aware LoRa Configuration (SAL), a new algorithm for efficient autonomous and distributed selection of LoRa physical layer transmission parameters. The aim is to address the limitations of the currently adopted MAC algorithm in LoRaWAN networks (i.e., Adaptive Data Rate-ADR). The selection of the transmission parameters in ADR is done randomly by the gateway node, an approach that may result in the gateway reaching its Duty Cycle Limit, consequently hindering it from sending the configuration information to the end points under large-scale networks negatively affecting the network performance. Unlike ADR, SAL uses a decentralized approach to select node's transmission parameters without any need for gateway's control packets and it only considers a combination of parameters that is guaranteed to be received successfully by the gateway. The performance of the proposed algorithm is validated through extensive simulation experiments under different scenarios and operation conditions. In particular, SAL is compared to LoRaWAN configuration algorithm in terms of Packet Error Rate (PER), Capture effect Probability, Collision Probability, End-to-end Delay, Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), Throughput and Energy Consumption showing promising results in this context.