Description

Project Title

UNIWEATHER: LORA-BASED PORTABLE METEOROLOGICAL STATION

General Description

Design and develop a portable meteorological station capable of collecting and transmitting real-time environmental data. The system measures weather parameters such as temperature, humidity, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and wind direction using environmental sensors integrated with an ESP32-based controller.

Sensor data is transmitted over long distances using LoRa communication technology, enabling reliable operation without dependence on Wi-Fi infrastructure. The collected data is processed through a Python-based backend, stored in a time-series database, and presented through an interactive dashboard. The system also supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for mobile device integration.

Project management, source code control, and collaboration are conducted using GitHub.

Project Scope

Develop a complete IoT-based weather monitoring platform that includes sensing, communication, data processing, storage, and visualization capabilities.

The system should:

* Collect environmental data in real time.
* Transmit sensor readings over long distances using LoRa communication.
* Operate efficiently on battery power or solar energy.
* Store time-series sensor data for long-term analysis.
* Provide an interactive dashboard for data visualization.
* Generate alerts when abnormal environmental conditions are detected.
* Support Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity for local access and configuration.
* Enable environmental monitoring in agricultural, educational, or research applications.

Project Objectives

* Long-Range Communication: Transmit sensor data over several kilometers using LoRa technology without relying on Wi-Fi networks.
* Energy Efficiency: Optimize power consumption for extended operation using batteries or solar panels.
* Data Management: Store, process, and analyze time-based environmental measurements.
* Information Accessibility: Provide a user-friendly interface for visualizing environmental trends and receiving alerts.
* Environmental Monitoring: Support real-time observation of local weather and microclimate conditions.

Student Requirements

* Teamwork
* Full attendance in weekly meetings
* High motivation
* Independent learning
* Personal responsibility
* Basic knowledge of Python programming
* Interest in IoT systems and wireless communication
* Ability to integrate hardware and software components

Development Tools

Software Environment:

* Python 3.10 or higher
* GitHub for version control and collaboration
* MicroPython for ESP32 development

Hardware Platform:

* ESP32 Microcontroller
* LoRa Communication Module
* Environmental Sensor Modules

Database Technologies:

* PostgreSQL with TimescaleDB extension
* MongoDB

Communication Technologies:

* LoRa
* Wi-Fi
* Bluetooth

Sensors and Measurement Resolution

* Temperature Sensor (BME280 / DHT22): Measurement resolution of 0.1°C.
* Humidity Sensor: Measurement resolution of 0.1% relative humidity.
* Barometric Pressure Sensor: Resolution of 0.18 hPa.
* Optional Wind Speed and Wind Direction Sensors for extended meteorological monitoring.

Research Questions

Environmental Impact, Shading, and Irrigation

* How do changes in shading conditions, whether natural or artificial, affect evapotranspiration rates and irrigation frequency requirements in the monitored area?
* To what extent does local soil moisture, influenced by irrigation cycles, affect the microclimate surrounding the weather station, including temperature and humidity near ground level?
* Can a predictive model be developed to estimate future irrigation water requirements based on shading conditions, temperature measurements, humidity levels, and environmental sensor data collected by the station?

Development Plan

Sprint 1 (Month 1)

* Research and requirements analysis.
* Sensor integration with the ESP32 controller.
* Development of initial sensor acquisition software.
* Creation of the GitHub repository and project structure.

Sprint 2 (Month 2)

* Gateway implementation.
* Development of LoRa communication infrastructure.
* Packet transmission, reception, and decoding using Python.

Sprint 3 (Month 3)

* Configuration of the time-series database.
* Development of the dashboard application.
* Data visualization and reporting features.

Sprint 4 (Month 4)

* Range testing and communication validation.
* Stability and load testing.
* Full system integration.
* Preparation of all final project deliverables.

Deliverables

* System Requirements Specification (SRS) Document including requirements, architecture diagrams, and process flow diagrams.
* Organized GitHub Repository containing modular, documented, and maintainable source code.
* Functional Working Prototype capable of displaying live environmental data through the dashboard.
* Interactive Dashboard for real-time monitoring and historical analysis.
* Academic Poster presenting the project objectives, architecture, implementation, and results.
* Final Project Presentation (PPTX) including a live or recorded demonstration.
* Demonstration Video showcasing system functionality and performance.

Additional Notes

* The project combines Internet of Things (IoT), Wireless Communication, Environmental Monitoring, Embedded Systems, Cloud and Edge Computing, and Data Analytics.
* Students will gain practical experience in sensor integration, LoRa communication, time-series databases, and dashboard development.
* The platform can be extended to support smart agriculture, environmental research, climate monitoring, and educational applications.
* The project is designed to be compatible with the UNISENSOR ecosystem and future sensor expansion.
* Each project team may include up to 5 students.
UNIWEATHER: LORA-BASED PORTABLE METEOROLOGICAL STATION

IOT Smart Farming

Description

Emphasis in project execution

The project is has cooperation with the industry and combines meeting deadlines while being creative and focused on the task
