Design and Evaluation of a LoRa Architecture for Multiparameter Water Monitoring with Limited Connectivity

Resumen

This article describes the design and functional evaluation of a point-to-point LoRa architecture for multiparameter water monitoring in environments with limited connectivity. An ESP32 node connected to turbidity, temperature, and distance sensors transmits independent encrypted messages to a Raspberry Pi station, which processes the data in Python and stores them in MariaDB. The evaluation combined software checks using synthetic data with a preliminary communication test at approximately 50 m, followed by a temporary installation with an estimated separation of 35 m and physical obstacles, where reception was restored after repositioning the antenna and sealing its outlet from the enclosure. The console excerpt examined showed five complete cycles, equivalent to 15 readable messages, while complementary checks reviewed the conversion of readings through calibration tables. The results support the functional integration of acquisition, communication, and local processing under the conditions examined and show that antenna placement affects link operation, although the scope of the tests does not establish the maximum communication range, overall packet loss, or the metrological accuracy of the sensors.