I’d like to know if anyone already have built a gateway at max allowed power. My plan is to install a 1W gateway with a 6 dbi antenna, thus matching the maximum allowed EiRP in Canada.
Just a little more details, I live in a rural area, my goal is to get the maximum coverage distance (omnidirectionnal) in compliance with ISDM’s regulations. I already have a 116’ ham radio tower, so height of the station will be near that.
As of now, I am only able tout find 22 dbm gateways, leading to an already high 8 dbm under maximum. Anyone knows if I could use a 8 db low-noise amplifier? If so, what is the hardware that you would recommand?
Overall, what hardware would you use to complete this project?
I asked because you seemed to be contemplating adding a low noise amplifier, and unless you add additional RF switching circuitry (not trivial) the LNA wouild need to be on a receive only channel.
Remember that LoRa already operates at well below noise level so low noise amplifiers do not operate in the same beneficial way as thay do in FSK above noise level systems.
I guess the problem comes when the internet backhaul point (GW location or reasonable proximity if using say Wi-fi or cellular GW link) is simply too far from where the sensor needs to be (and any deployed ‘standard’ GFW’s) given lack of viable LoRa(WAN!) repeaters then ‘maximizing’ LoRa range only real option…and if Canada indeed allows 1W EIRP Tx then that may be option…wrt achieving that range/sensitivity putting PA in play for TX path poss option as as stated earlier LNA in RX path less effective given LoRa sub-noise performance already, but should still help. I recall one of the recent GW/Concentrator boards for use with RPi et al had separate TX & RX paths allowing easier addition to implementation before we nudged in direction of converged path and use of RF switch. Also given potential for true bi-di comms with LoRa any options improving at GW need to be echoed at Node if link isnt to then become asymmetric unless system is purely bubble up, pre-joined before deployment, with no downlink/ack/confirm at extreme range required…
If uplink only then suggest concentrate on boosting node (if supply can sustain) vs looking at 1W GW…with higher gain ant used to improve local GW sensitivity…flattening of antenna effectiveness/focus not an issue if looking at extreme range vs local to GW as looking at/close to horizon?