Test-and-Measurement » IoT Testing » LoRa Testing, Certification, and Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide

LoRa Testing, Certification, and Compliance: A Comprehensive Guide

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This page provides an overview of LoRa testing, certification, and compliance procedures. It describes the testing process for both LoRa transmitters and receivers, and lists LoRa certification test providers.

Introduction

There are two primary approaches to testing: manual and automated.

  • Manual Testing: Engineers execute test cases manually.
  • Automated Testing: Test cases are automated using programming languages (e.g., Python). Engineers initiate the test, and the system handles the execution and result storage. An automated test system typically controls RF equipment and logs results to a file.

Testing is performed on all protocol layers of the Device Under Test (DUT). For LoRa DUTs, these layers are RF, PHY, MAC, and Application. Compliance tests are therefore required for each of these layers.

LoRa protocol stack

Image: LoRa protocol stack

LoRa Tests for LoRa Device Transmitter

Table 1 outlines the LoRa test cases for the transmitter portion of a LoRa device.

Table 1: LoRa Transmitter Tests (LoRa Testing)

Transmitter Test caseDescription
RF Carrier frequency accuracyEnsures the LoRa carrier frequency remains within the specified tolerance.
Transmit Power spectrum (Band Edge Limit Testing)Verifies that radiated emissions from the transmitter stay within the desired channel bandwidth and below the specified RF power levels, adhering to regulatory requirements. Band edges are measured against defined spectral band edge masks, which vary based on LoRa frequency bands. Reference: SX1272/3, ETSI Compliance doc. from SEMTECH
Transient Power TestsPower measurements are performed with modulation bandwidths set to 125 KHz, 250 KHz, or 500 KHz.
Peak RF Output PowerMeasures the deviation in the peak output power of the LoRa DUT compared to the configured settings. Refer to ERC-REC 70-03 for test requirements.
Spurious and harmonics testConfirms the absence of unwanted frequencies alongside the desired center frequency. Spurious emissions are non-integer multiples of input frequencies, while harmonics are integer multiples.

LoRa Tests for LoRa Device Receiver

Table 2 outlines the LoRa test cases for the receiver portion of a LoRa device.

Table 2: LoRa Receiver Tests (LoRa Device Testing)

Receiver Test caseDescription
SensitivityEnsures the LoRa receiver performs as expected at the minimum power level according to specifications. This test is performed across different Spreading Factors, Bandwidths, and code rates.
PER (%)Packet Error Rate. This test determines the number of packets received in error compared to the total number of transmitted packets under specific channel conditions. The test is performed at various code rates, Spreading factors and bandwidths, transmitting a fixed number of packets with a fixed payload size.

LoRa Test and Measurement Equipment

Keysight Technologies and Rohde & Schwarz are developing test and measurement equipment used for LoRa device testing at different protocol layers.

LoRa Certification Test Providers

The following table lists LoRa certification test providers. These authorized test service providers, certified by the LoRa Alliance, conduct LoRa testing and issue certificates.

Table: LoRa Certification Test Providers

CompanyDescription
IMST GmbHLoRa® certified Lab. Website: https://www.imst.com/. Address: Germany
TUVWebsite: www.tuv.com Address: germany, Japan, USA
AT4 wirelessWebsite: www.at4wireless.com Address: USA, Spain, Taiwan, Japan
7LayersWebsite: www.7Layers.com Address: USA, Germany
Espotel OyWebsite: www.espotel.com Address: Finland