Optimized multicast messaging in LPWA networks

A system for determining multicast routes for messages from a network server toward a plurality of target devices configured to communicate with a low power wide area (LPWA) network comprising a plurality of gateways, the system comprising:

• a network manager, operably coupled to the network server and configured for:
• determining, for a multicast message to be routed toward the target devices via the LPWA network, a plurality of multicast paths wherein each multicast path comprises a respective set of gateways configured to reach all target devices;
• determining, for each respective set of gateways forming a multicast path, a composite weighted metric (CWM) in accordance with a plurality of selection factors, wherein each selection factor is weighted in accordance with an operator policy;
• selecting a multicast path comprising a set of gateways P having a lowest CWM;
• and
• transmitting the multicast message toward only the gateways included in the selected set of gateways P.

A tangible and non-transient computer readable storage medium storing instructions which, when executed by a computer, adapt the operation of the computer to provide a method for routing multicast messages from a network server toward a plurality of target devices configured to communicate with a low power wide area (LPWA) network comprising a plurality of gateways, the method comprising:

• determining, for a multicast message to be routed toward the target devices via the LPWA network, a plurality of multicast paths wherein each multicast path comprises a respective set of gateways configured to reach all target devices;
• determining, for each respective set of gateways forming a multicast path, a composite weighted metric (CWM) in accordance with a plurality of selection factors, wherein each selection factor is weighted in accordance with an operator policy;
• selecting a multicast path comprising a set of gateways P having a lowest CWM;
• and
• transmitting the multicast message toward only the gateways included in the selected set of gateways P.