Design and performance evaluation of a long-range communication system in Enrekang Agricultural Areas, Indonesia

Abstract

The advancement of agricultural technology has driven the utilization of data transmission systems to enable remote land monitoring. IoT technologies based on wireless sensor networks, WiFi, and Bluetooth have been widely implemented; however, their limited communication range and dependence on internet access pose challenges for large-scale agricultural areas with constrained network availability. LoRa emerges as a promising solution due to its capability for long-range data transmission with low power consumption without relying on internet connectivity. This study aims to analyze the performance of LoRa in agricultural fields based on parameters such as Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), Spreading Factor (SF), Coding Rate (CR), delay, and Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR). The research methodology involved field testing with variations in SF configurations and communication distances, using an ESP32 as the data processing unit and the LoRa SX1278 module as the long-range wireless communication device. The results indicate that the SF12 configuration is capable of transmitting data up to 700 meters with a delay of 4–8 seconds and achieves a Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR) of 100% at a distance of 500 meters. In contrast, SF7 provides a shorter maximum range of 500 meters but offers lower delay, ranging from 2–4 seconds, with a PDR of 100% at a distance of 100 meters. Performance variations are influenced by environmental conditions such as topography, vegetation, and the presence of buildings, which can cause signal attenuation and multipath effects. These findings demonstrate that LoRa has significant potential to support IoT-based agricultural monitoring systems in areas with limited communication infrastructure.