When deploying a LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) solution, whether for smart cities, industrial IoT, or environmental monitoring, one of the most critical steps is the site survey. A well-executed survey ensures your network will deliver reliable coverage, minimal packet loss, and long-term scalability. Skipping or rushing this step can lead to poor performance, wasted resources, and costly redesigns.

In this article, we’ll walk through how to conduct a thorough LoRaWAN survey, from planning to execution, along with best practices that professionals use in the field.

Why a LoRaWAN Survey Matters

LoRaWAN is designed for long-range, low-power communication. However, its performance is highly dependent on:

• Geography: Hills, dense buildings, or foliage can block or degrade signals.
• Interference: Urban noise, overlapping ISM band usage, and reflections can affect reliability.
• Antenna placement: Small differences in gateway or node height can make a big difference in coverage.

A survey helps you answer the key question: Will my devices connect reliably in this environment?

Step 1: Define Objectives and Requirements

Before stepping into the field, clarify what you want to achieve:

• Coverage area: What regions or facilities need LoRaWAN connectivity?
• Application requirements: Do you need frequent transmissions, low latency, or just occasional updates?
• Device density: How many sensors or endpoints will you deploy, and how often will they send data?
• Power constraints: How long should batteries last, given the expected signal conditions?

Having clear objectives ensures your survey focuses on the right metrics.

Step 2: Gather the Right Tools

A proper survey requires both hardware and software tools:

• LoRaWAN gateways: Portable or temporary gateways for testing coverage.
• Survey nodes: End devices configured to transmit at various data rates (SF7 to SF12).
• GPS-enabled device: To log precise measurement locations.
• Survey software: Applications like TTN Mapper, Helium Mapper, or custom tools for recording signal quality (RSSI, SNR).
• Antennas: Both omnidirectional and directional antennas, to test different setups.

Field teams often carry a laptop or tablet for live monitoring, but even smartphones with mapping apps can be useful.

Step 3: Plan Your Survey

Good planning saves time and produces reliable results:

1. Map the area: Outline where you need coverage—buildings, outdoor spaces, tunnels, or remote sites.
2. Identify obstacles: Note tall buildings, metallic structures, or natural barriers like hills and forests.
3. Choose test routes: Plan walking or driving paths that cover critical areas.
4. Determine testing scenarios: For example, will sensors be indoors, underground, or moving (like in logistics)?

Step 4: Deploy a Temporary Gateway

Start by installing a test gateway in a location that approximates your intended deployment. Key considerations:

• Height: Place gateways as high as possible to maximize line-of-sight.
• Backhaul: Ensure temporary internet access (4G/5G, wired, or satellite).
• Antenna orientation: Check both vertical and horizontal polarizations if applicable.

This step simulates how your production network will behave.

Step 5: Perform Field Measurements

Now comes the core of the survey:

• Walk or drive test routes while carrying the survey node.
• Record key metrics:
  • RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator)
  • SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio)
  • Spreading Factor (SF)
  • Packet success rate
• Test in different conditions: indoors, basements, behind walls, or in moving vehicles.
• Note dead zones where packets fail to reach the gateway.

Pro tip: Test at different times of day, since interference can vary with activity in the ISM band.

Step 6: Analyze Results

Once the survey is complete, visualize and interpret the data:

• Heatmaps: Plot coverage strength on maps to spot weak zones.
• Gateway placement optimization: Decide whether you need additional gateways or antenna adjustments.
• Data rate tuning: Determine which spreading factors are realistic for your environment.
• Device placement guidelines: Recommend where sensors should and should not be installed.

The output should be a survey report with clear recommendations for gateway count, placement, antenna type, and expected performance.

Step 7: Validate with Real Devices

Finally, test with actual end devices that will be used in production. Simulated survey nodes may not perfectly reflect sensor behavior—especially for battery-powered devices with specific duty cycles. Confirm that your production hardware performs within expectations.

Best Practices for LoRaWAN Surveys

• Use multiple gateways: Even if you plan a single-gateway deployment, test redundancy.
• Simulate worst-case conditions: Survey indoors, underground, and in high-interference spots.
• Account for future growth: Design coverage not just for today’s devices, but for tomorrow’s expansions.
• Document everything: Photographs, GPS logs, and test conditions make future troubleshooting easier.
• Iterate: Don’t assume one survey is final. Validate again after installation.

Conclusion

A thorough LoRaWAN survey is the foundation of a reliable, scalable IoT deployment. By carefully planning, using the right tools, and testing in realistic conditions, you’ll avoid the common pitfalls of poor coverage and inconsistent connectivity.

Investing time in a proper survey today means fewer surprises tomorrow—ensuring your LoRaWAN network delivers on its promise of long-range, low-power communication.

Get in touch with Saturn ME in Dubai, UAE today for a free LoRaWAN consulting session—no strings attached.