You must comprehend how LoRaWAN signal quality is measured and what those statistics actually represent in practice before determining if you require a better signal or an extra gateway.
Knowing What Constitutes “Strong” and “Weak” LoRaWAN Signal Strength
RSSI and SNR are the two main measures used to assess LoRaWAN signal quality.
When a signal reaches the gateway, its strength is measured by the RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). Values of negative dBm are used to express it. The signal strength increases with the value’s proximity to zero.
Signal-to-noise ratio, or SNR, quantifies how well a signal may be distinguished from background noise. SNR can be either positive or negative, in contrast to RSSI. Cleaner communication is indicated by a higher SNR.
This is how a powerful LoRaWAN link typically appears in practice.
SNR between +10 dB and 0 dB, and RSSI between approximately -30 dBm and -90 dBm
There could be a weaker but usable link.
SNR between 0 dB and -10 dB; RSSI between -90 dBm and -115 dBm
LoRa’s ruggedness may allow communication to continue beyond that range, but messages become less dependable, retries rise, and battery life decreases.
The main conclusion is that LoRaWAN may function with extremely weak signals, but a device sending data does not imply that the deployment is scalable or healthy.
Many deployments now erroneously assume that a weak signal necessitates the use of a second gateway. In practice, positioning is often always the first consideration.
Why Position Is More Important Than Strength
“More power” in the conventional sense doesn’t really help LoRaWAN. More often than not, placement is more important than transmit strength.
Physical barriers like strong and reinforced concrete, numerous interior walls, underground sites, metal buildings, and improperly positioned antennas are the main causes of signal loss.
Signals may flow through windows far more readily than through concrete, and elevation is a key factor. With less attenuation, a gateway positioned higher can frequently cover a much larger region.
Small adjustments might have a significant impact on end devices. Without altering any hardware, RSSI and SNR can be significantly increased by positioning a sensor merely one or two meters higher or closer to a window rather than deep inside a concrete structure.
You don’t require a stronger signal source or a different gateway if the signal quality significantly improves after relocating.
If not, the following step must be guided by measurement rather than conjecture.
How to Accurately Assess Signal Quality (Why It’s Wrong to Guess)
Understanding actual coverage quality requires more than just looking at received messages in a network server. Receiving messages doesn’t tell you whether communication is dependable, effective, or long-term sustainable; it just tells you that it is possible.
LoRaWAN field testers are crucial in this situation.
With the use of a field tester, you can measure RSSI and SNR at precise installation locations, confirm actual gateway coverage prior to final installation, locate weak areas like stairwells or basements, and assess whether reinforcement is necessary or placement optimization is adequate.
Professional field testers are available in a specific category at Kilo Electronics: https://kiloelectronics.com/en/product-category/iothardware/field-tester-en/
Field Testing at the Entry Level: RAKwireless RAK10701-L
An inexpensive and useful instrument for verifying LoRaWAN coverage is the RAKwireless RAK10701-L Field Tester.
It enables you to walk a site to map useable versus weak areas, examine RSSI and SNR values directly, transmit test uplinks from actual installation locations, and join a LoRaWAN network.
For installers, system integrators, and smaller installations where you want assurance in coverage choices without complicated equipment, this kind of tester is perfect.
This is the product page: https://kiloelectronics.com/en/produkt/rak-wireless-rak10701-l-field-tester-lorawan/
Milesight FT101-868M Advanced Field Testing
The Milesight FT101-868M LoRaWAN Field Tester offers a much deeper level of analysis for larger or more complicated setups.
With a larger 5.72-inch touch screen, Android OS, an integrated LoRaWAN module, GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC, as well as extensive capabilities for signal analysis and coverage certification, this device is of professional quality.
Professionals planning multi-building, campus, industrial, or city-scale LoRaWAN networks where decisions must be based on exact measurements are the target market for this device.
https://kiloelectronics.com/en/produkt/milesight-lorawan-field-tester-ft101-868m/ is the product page.
Should I Use a Different Gateway or a Stronger Signal?
The choice is obvious if you get actual RSSI and SNR data.
When RSSI is constantly very low over wide areas, SNR stays extremely low even after moving devices, you have blind spots that don’t go away, like basements or underground garages, or your devices are dispersed throughout several buildings or expansive outdoor spaces, you should consider adding an additional gateway.
When a weak signal only shows up in a few isolated spots, devices are located deep inside concrete-heavy areas without windows, minor placement adjustments greatly increase RSSI or SNR, or an outdoor gateway already offers adequate coverage overall, you don’t need another gateway.
A single roof-mounted exterior gateway can effectively cover a full building in many real-world implementations. The signal covers the entire building by entering through windows and higher floors. Instead of installing numerous outdoor gateways, it is frequently preferable to reinforce coverage with a strategically located inside gateway in problematic areas like basements or underground garages.
When It Makes Sense to Add a Gateway
Adding another gateway is the right move once field testing demonstrates that location optimization is no longer sufficient. As a general rule, adding another gateway or reinforcing coverage makes sense when measured RSSI values are consistently worse than approximately −110 dBm and SNR remains below −10 dB across the target area, even after repositioning devices and antennas.
Large multi-story buildings, campuses or industrial locations, dense concrete structures, and installations that need both interior and outdoor coverage are usually examples of this.
The following website lists the available gateways: https://kiloelectronics.com/en/product-category/iothardware/gateways-en/
Just as crucial as selecting the gateway itself is deciding where to put the extra gateway. Expansion should always follow field testing.
A Realistic Deployment Plan
A tried-and-true method with a clear flow is employed in numerous successful deployments.
Start with an elevated, strategically located outdoor doorway. Use a field tester to verify coverage. Prior to adding hardware, set sensors as optimally as possible. Measured data can be used to identify real weak zones. Use indoor gateways only where necessary to provide selective reinforcement.
This method maximizes battery life and dependability while lowering hardware expenses.
Although LoRaWAN is incredibly resilient to poor signals, dependable installations need more than just “it works.” What distinguishes a stable network from ongoing troubleshooting is an understanding of signal strength, accurate measurement, and strategic device placement.
By eliminating uncertainty, field testers enable you to determine whether you require additional gateways, local reinforcement, or improved placement.
Check out Kilo Electronics’ tested assortment for EU-868 certified field testers and gateways with quick shipping from Germany:
https://kiloelectronics.com/en/product-category/iothardware/field-tester-en/
https://kiloelectronics.com/en/product-category/iothardware/gateways-en/