Data Collection Efficiency with LoRaWAN Gateway & Starlink

Описание: ECU’s Water Resources Center is conducting multiple research projects in Hyde County, located two hours east of East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.

Researchers and students must travel there several times a month to retrieve sensor data and maintain the deployed sensing systems across various field sites.

These trips are both costly and time-consuming. To mitigate these expenses, the WRC has decided to transition to a connected sensing network.

Implementing this system requires a LoRaWAN gateway to collect data from low-power devices distributed throughout the area.

We collaborated with a local resident who supported and assisted in setting up the gateway.

A telephone pole was made available to us, ensuring we are a good coverage around the area.

Due to limited internet availability in the region, the device primarily connects via Starlink, with a cellular modem serving as a backup.

Several cost-effective LoRa sensors, successfully tested in the lab, have now been deployed in the field.

This approach will substantially lower data acquisition costs,
enabling more time and resources to be dedicated to research.

In this video, we originally deployed a Dragino DLOS8N gateway, faced some technical issues, and ended up deploying The Things Network Outdoor gateway with a RAK 8dBi antenna.

This video features teamwork from WRC Researchers and Students participating to the event.
This video includes shots by Hiba El'Shaer and Dr. Rob Howard.
Produced free of charge for ECU's WRC by Boris Dessimond.

Music : edited instrumental version of Zack Hemsey's Soothsayer.