Leveraging LoRaWAN technology for IoT-driven smart metering solutions: an experimental assessment in Diyala Province, Iraq

Iraq's electricity and water sectors face major challenges due to a severe lack of accurate consumer data and the absence of real-time monitoring in transmission and distribution networks. Addressing these issues is a critical domestic priority for the Iraqi government, closely tied to social stability and future prosperity. This study investigates the use of LoRaWAN technology to enable real-time data transmission from smart meters to a centralized IoT platform. An end device, based on the HELTEC WIFI LoRa32 (v2) module, was developed to collect, process, and display energy and water sensor data on an OLED screen. The data is transmitted to a LoRaWAN gateway using LoRa technology and visualized on The Things Network (TTN) platform. The system was deployed and tested in a residential area in Diyala Province. Performance metrics, including Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), and transmission distances, were analysed. Results show an average RSSI of -96.67 dBm, an average SNR of 3.33 dB, and an average transmission distance of 529.33 meters. Despite high noise levels at some nodes not exceeding the theoretically set noise limit at the SF7, LoRaWAN technology proved reliable, robust, and cost-effective for large-scale utility monitoring in challenging and noisy environments.