UAV-Assisted LoRa-Based Wireless Sensor Network for Environmental Monitoring

Abstract

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) integrated with Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) present a transformative approach to environmental monitoring by enabling real-time, low power, wide-area, and high-resolution data collection. This paper proposes a UAV-based WSN framework designed for efficient environmental data acquisition, including parameters such as temperature, humidity, various gases, detection of motion of a material, and safety features. The system leverages UAVs for dynamic deployment and data retrieval from distributed sensor nodes in remote or inaccessible areas, reducing the reliance on fixed infrastructure. Long Range Communication (LoRa) technology is also integrated with a WSN to enhance network coverage and adaptability issues. The proposed system cover vast areas through LoRa communication ensuring minimal energy consumption and cost-effective sensing capabilities. Field tests and simulation findings show how well the system captures spatiotemporal environmental fluctuations, making it an invaluable tool for monitoring climate change, ecological research, and disaster response.