LoRa Relay Device for Underground Signal Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
LoRa network communication is hindered by signal attenuation between terminals and base stations, particularly when terminals are installed underground, leading to failed join processes due to insufficient signal strength.
Innovation Solution
Introducing a LoRa relay device that joins the network using standard join processes and then facilitates communication between the terminal and base station by sending data frames with varying preambles and intervals, ensuring signal relay and maintaining compatibility with the LoRaWAN standard.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct communication between terminal and base station is used, then network simplicity is maintained, but signal strength is insufficient due to attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
A relay device is introduced as an intermediary node between the terminal and base station. The relay device receives signals from the terminal and forwards them to the base station, and vice versa. This intermediary approach overcomes signal attenuation issues without requiring direct line-of-sight communication, thereby improving signal strength while adding only one intermediate device to the network structure.
2Reliability
If relay device is introduced to overcome signal attenuation, then signal strength is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a terminal when communicating with the base station and as a base station when communicating with other terminals. This multi-functionality allows a single device to serve multiple purposes in the network, reducing the overall number of specialized devices needed and thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while maintaining improved communication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay device dynamically changes its operational parameters including transmission power, spreading factor, and data rate based on channel conditions. When signal attenuation is detected, the relay device adjusts these parameters to optimize signal transmission, thereby improving communication reliability without requiring additional hardware complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If standard join process is used by relay device, then compatibility with LoRaWAN is maintained, but signal attenuation still affects terminal communication
Solution Approach 1:
The relay device serves as a mediator that maintains LoRaWAN standard compatibility in its communication with the base station while providing enhanced signal transmission to terminals. The relay device translates and forwards signals between terminals and the base station, ensuring that standard join processes work seamlessly while overcoming signal attenuation issues that would otherwise affect terminal communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods and devices for communication by a terminal. The method can include: sending, by the terminal, a first data frame to a relay device in a first mode, the first data frame comprising a first preamble and a first message information set, and the first preamble being used to wake up the relay device; sending, by the terminal, a second data frame to the relay device in the first mode, the second data frame comprising a second preamble and a second information set, the second data frame being sent after the terminal has sent the first data frame and a first time interval has elapsed, and the length of the second preamble being less than that of the first preamble; and receiving, by the terminal, a third data frame sent by the relay device in the first mode, the third data frame being sent to the terminal after being received from the base station by the relay device.