On fast prototyping LoRaWAN: a cheap and open platform for daily experiments

Low-power wide area networks (LPWANs) are gaining momentum within Internet of Things circles, thanks to their inherent capabilities to simplify network topologies and increase coverage in low-rate and low-power communications. This study focuses on a specific LPWAN technology, namely Long Range Wireless Area Network (LoRaWAN), which is being widely investigated by the research community worldwide. LoRaWAN offers many noticeable features, including wide coverage areas, security by design, power consumption and bandwidth optimisation, and a high degree of flexibility and reconfigurability. Unfortunately, in spite of these valuable characteristics, LoRaWAN appliances are often closed source and proprietary. To bridge the gap, this study proposes a prototype, which has been designed and set up using open low-cost experimental boards and programming tools, only. Moreover, an experimental campaign has been carried out in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed platform.