Considerations for wireless communication at 868MHz

This paper presents a study of different characteristics of wireless communication in the license-exempt sub-1GHz band at 868MHz frequency. These characteristics include maximum achievable data rate, coverage area, minimum number of hops to cover a particular area and energy efficiency per bit, using Hata propagation path loss model for urban, sub-urban and open area. The sub-1GHz band offers low interference and propagation path loss and hence supports a much higher coverage. New standards like IEEE802.11ah aim at a physical layer operating in sub-1GHz bands to fulfill connectivity requirements of emerging technologies such as IoT (Internet-of-Things) which essentially need highly energy efficient wireless communication between a large numbers of devices.