Checking the LoRaWAN® data rate / Spreading Factor distribution

1. Select Base Stations.

2. On the List tab, click the name of the base station for which you want to check the data rate distribution.

3. Select the RF Statistics tab, and go to SPREADING FACTOR.

   -> The data rate distribution information appears as follows:

   

You should have only a small fraction of frames using the lower data rates (SF11 and SF12). As these low data rates use more airtime, LoRaWAN® networks have lower capacity at low data rates. Devices will use more energy when operating at lower data rates.

4. If you see that your network operates mostly at SF11 and SF12:

• Check that the aggregate uplink duty cycle remains below 10% for all RF channels. To learn more, click Checking the RF signal strength, background noise and duty cycle.

• Check that the aggregate downlink duty cycle remains below regulatory limits. If not, you will experience downlink packet drop as ThingPark will enforce duty cycle compliance.

• Check that base station antenna is placed in a position where it has least obstacles between devices and base station antenna.

• Add more base stations to improve RF coverage. ThingPark adaptive data rate (ADR) feature will automatically leverage the better radio conditions to increase device communication data rates, reducing network collisions, device power consumption and optimizing packet error rate (PER).