Empirical Validation Of LoRaWAN Coverage Models For Smart Urban Connectivity

Nowadays, smart urban environments face increasing demands by citizens for reliable wireless connectivity to support the adoption of smart services, such as intelligent transportation systems. In this context, the city of Caltanissetta has implemented a comprehensive project focused on providing research and development services to facilitate the integration of such systems. The initiative includes the assessment and validation of LoRaWAN coverage models through empirical field testing, combining advanced simulation methodologies with real-world measurements to enhance the accuracy of propagation models in urban settings. Within this framework, SmartMe has deployed a software ecosystem based on its Stack4Things framework, alongside a LoRaWAN infrastructure, to monitor critical urban parameters such as weather conditions, air quality, park availability, and traffic flows, contributing to the development of smart mobility solutions. The urban deployment consists of a network of Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) distributed throughout the city, with multiple edge elements contributing to real-time data collection. The validation process involves comparing simulated coverage predictions with field measurements, refining model parameters to optimize network performance and reliability.