Heru Nurwarsito, Mohammad Ali Syaugi Alkaf
The UB (University of Brawijaya) Forest, located on the slopes of Mount Arjuno in Indonesia, is a significant educational and research area with rich agricultural lands and diverse plant species. Traditional methods of microclimate data collection in this area have relied on manual sensor inspection by local farmers. This research introduces a novel approach by integrating Internet of Things (IoT) technology, particularly employing long-range (LoRa) communication, to overcome the limitations of conventional WiFi networks in remote data access. The implementation uses ESP32 modules for data transmission and reception, focusing on establishing a LoRa network compatible with the Message Queuing Telemetry Transport for Sensor Networks (MQTT-SN) protocol. This enhances data exchange efficiency and reliability. The system is engineered to transmit 11 distinct microclimate data parameters every 15 minutes from two nodes. Preliminary testing reveals a maximum transmission range of 300 meters. However, the data loss rate is significant, averaging 50.49%, which reduces to 15% at a distance of 100 meters. Signal strength is strongest at -94 dBm for 100 meters and -121 dBm for 300 meters. Sensor calibration results indicate high accuracy, with soil moisture achieving 94.72% sensor accuracy and 99.76% calibration accuracy. These results, while promising, fall short of the LoRa Alliance’s expected performance metrics, which suggest effective operational distances of up to 2 km under optimal conditions. This research demonstrates the potential and challenges of integrating IoT and LoRa technology in agricultural and environmental monitoring. The findings underscore the need for further optimization to achieve the range and reliability required for effective remote monitoring in rural and forested environments. This research sets a foundation for future enhancements in sensor network design and deployment strategies, aiming to improve data accuracy and accessibility for agricultural and environmental research. © 2025 University of Bahrain. All rights reserved.
Dept. Informatics Engineering, University of Brawijaya, Malang, Indonesia
