Performance Analysis of LoRa for Internet of Underground Things in Agriculture 4.0

This paper comprehensively explores LoRa, a wire-less communication technology custom-tailored for the Internet of Things (IoT). It explicitly emphasizes its prowess in facilitating communication between underground and aboveground domains, referred to as UG2AG scenarios. Our study encompasses a detailed examination of various environmental variables, including soil composition, moisture levels, and burial depth, to gauge the applicability of LoRaWAN technology in establishing seamless connectivity between subterranean IoT sensors and surface-level infrastructure. The investigation thoroughly analyzes the unique path loss characteristics encountered within the soil-to-air transmission channel, considering varying frequencies and volumetric water content. Furthermore, the performance analysis is characterized by the Bit Error Rate (BER), providing insights into the reliability of LoRa under the rigors of challenging IoUT environments. Our findings underscore the role of parameter selection, particularly the spreading factor (SF), in LoRa networks to optimize BER performance. As SF increases, LoRa devices exhibit heightened resilience to noise interference, especially in scenarios characterized by a low Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR). This work lays the solid foundation for harnessing the potential of LoRa technology in IoUT applications, offering invaluable insights into its effectiveness, adaptability, and robustness in subterranean wireless communication. The outcomes of this study promise to propel IoT solutions in diverse domains, from agriculture and environmental monitoring to the uncharted frontiers of underground connectivity.