An Autonomous City-Wide Light Pollution Measurement Network System Using LoRa Wireless Communication

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Urban Planning
• Sensor Technology

Background:

• Light pollution negatively impacts urban populations by disrupting human circadian rhythms.
• Accurate measurement of light pollution is crucial for effective mitigation strategies in cities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a prototype wireless sensor network for automated, long-term light pollution monitoring.
• To investigate the architecture and design challenges of sensor modules and the overall network.

Main Methods:

• Deployment of a prototype wireless sensor network in Torun, Poland.
• Utilization of LoRa (Long Range) wireless technology for data collection via networked gateways.
• Analysis of sensor module architecture, network design, and collected light pollution data.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of a prototype wireless sensor network for light pollution measurement.
• Presentation of example data illustrating the network's capability in an urban environment.
• Identification of architectural and design considerations for urban sensor networks.

Conclusions:

• The developed wireless sensor network provides a viable solution for automated, long-term light pollution monitoring.
• The findings offer insights into the practical application and challenges of deploying such networks in urban settings.
• This technology can support efforts to manage and reduce light pollution in cities.