Hybrid Propagation Model for Sigfox Unlicensed Low Power Wide Area Networks in Urban Environments

Abstract

Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) technology has gained widespread application in various fields, including in urban environments. Sigfox is one of the LPWAN technologies that have been widely adopted and support connectivity for thousands of end devices. However, understanding the performance of the Sigfox network especially in urban environments is crucial due to the impact of path loss. Path loss models, such as the Okumura-Hata and the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) propagation models are commonly used to estimate path attenuation based on parameters such as propagation models take into account factors, including carrier frequency, distance, antenna height, and terrain profile. In this study, the path loss performance of Sigfox using the Okumura-Hata, 3GPP, and a newly proposed Hybrid propagation model was investigated. The proposed Hybrid model combines the strengths of the Okumura-Hata and 3GPP models. The key strength of the proposed Hybrid model is that provides a more comprehensive and accurate path loss estimation for Sigfox in urban environments. The analysis presented in this paper serves as a valuable for understanding the potential of the proposed Hybrid model for the field of Sigfox technology. Our results demonstrate the potential of the proposed Hybrid model for improving path loss accuracy in urban environments.