An Advanced Energy-Efficient Environmental Monitoring in Precision Agriculture Using LoRa-Based Wireless Sensor...

Area of Science:

• Computer Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Agricultural Technology

Background:

• Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are crucial for environmental monitoring, especially in remote areas.
• Sensor nodes in WSNs rely on limited power sources, making energy efficiency paramount.
• LoRa (Long Range) technology is increasingly used in WSNs due to its long-range capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of recent advancements in LoRa-based WSNs.
• To analyze the energy consumption of sensor nodes in agricultural settings.
• To identify optimization strategies for reducing energy usage in WSNs.

Main Methods:

• Conducted field measurements of sensor node energy consumption in agriculture.
• Performed simulations based on real-world data to analyze energy usage.
• Investigated the impact of packet size and transmission speed on energy efficiency.
• Evaluated data collection processes and network radio parameter settings.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated that adjusting transmission speed to packet size significantly enhances energy efficiency.
• Proved that smaller packet sizes, specifically 6-bit packets, are sufficient for collecting environmental parameters in precision agriculture.
• Showcased a considerable reduction in energy consumption through optimized packet size and transmission speed settings.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing packet size and transmission speed is critical for energy-efficient LoRa communication in WSNs.
• The use of 6-bit packets offers a viable and energy-saving alternative for agricultural environmental monitoring compared to standard 11-bit packets.
• Findings support the development of more sustainable and cost-effective WSN solutions for precision agriculture.