Performance Evaluation of LoRa for IoT Applications in Non-Terrestrial Networks via ns-3
For IoT researchers and satellite network designers, this work provides a simulation tool and performance insights for LoRa in non-terrestrial networks, though the findings are preliminary and incremental.
The paper evaluates LoRa for IoT via LEO satellites using a new ns-3 simulation module, finding that LoRa can support direct ground-to-satellite communication but requires optimization to reduce collisions from same Spreading Factors over long distances.
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs) has emerged as a key paradigm to provide connectivity for sensors and actuators via satellite gateways in remote areas where terrestrial infrastructure is limited or unavailable. Among other Low-Power Wide-Area Network (LPWAN) technologies for IoT, Long Range (LoRa) holds great potential given its long range, energy efficiency, and flexibility. In this paper, we explore the feasibility and performance of LoRa to support large-scale IoT connectivity through Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite gateways. To do so, we developed a new ns3-LoRa-NTN simulation module, which integrates and extends the ns3-LoRa and ns3-NTN modules, to enable full-stack end-to-end simulation of satellite communication in LoRa networks. Our results, given in terms of average data rate and Packet Reception Ratio (PRR), confirm that LoRa can effectively support direct communication from the ground to LEO satellites, but network optimization is required to mitigate collision probability when end nodes use the same Spreading Factors (SFs) over long distances.