Pervasive LPWAN Connectivity Through LEO Satellites: Trading Off Reliability, Throughput, Latency, and Energy Efficiency

Abstract

With the increasing success of the Internet of Things (IoT) industry and the consequent conception of new IoT applications, a significant variety of network design challenges has been unfolded. As a consequence, different Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) technologies have been developed and marketed to address each specific application need. Among them, the Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) was developed to target reliable communications over the licensed spectrum, while the Long Range (LoRa) was conceived as a loss-tolerant means over unlicensed frequencies. Recently, satellite LPWAN appeared as a new connectivity option and an affordable solution, particularly suitable for remote and not easily accessible areas. This book chapter timely addresses the opportunities and challenges of such satellite LPWAN architecture by providing a general framework for the evaluation of its performances. The chapter also describes a methodological approach for designing the network, selecting the configuration parameters and the traffic patterns, fitting the best trade-off among reliability, latency, throughput, and energy efficiency. IntroductionLow Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) is becoming a revolutionary technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) due to its low power consumption, long distance coverage, and low cost of the devices [19]. Many LPWAN technologies have been

Architectural Framework and Feasibility of Internet of Things-Driven Mars Exploration via Satellite Constellations

“…This will be conducted by analyzing four key aspects in detail: the constellation model and the revisit time of satellites over IoT nodes on the Martian surface, the maximum communication distance between the IoT nodes and the satellites of the LPWAN protocols are considered an alternative for the integration of IoT technologies for both terrestrial and space networks [17]. In satellite IoT communications, LoRa/LoRaWAN and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) are prominent options for connecting long-range with reduced costs and low energy consumption [38]. Recent research shows the feasibility of establishing direct links with satellites by implementing these protocols [17], enabling direct communication between IoT nodes and satellites in orbit.…”

“…LPWAN protocols are considered an alternative for the integration of IoT technologies for both terrestrial and space networks [17]. In satellite IoT communications, LoRa/LoRaWAN and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) are prominent options for connecting long-range with reduced costs and low energy consumption [38]. Recent research shows the feasibility of establishing direct links with satellites by implementing these protocols [17], enabling direct communication between IoT nodes and satellites in orbit.…”

Lightweight synchronization to NB-IoT enabled LEO Satellites through Doppler prediction

“…In recent years, Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) have emerged as a critical enabling technology for the Internet of Things (IoT) since they offer a cheap and affordable solution for connecting very low-power devices over long distances [1]. As well the increasing availability of novel application scenarios has pushed each LPWAN technology to target a subset of such applications and to better their access scheme off through the conception and design of additional communication modes [2]. Among these, the Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) [3] technology is the main solution over the licensed spectrum, fitting applications that need a higher level of reliability.…”