If you don’t have decent Internet connectivity (via a mobile provider or whatever) from possible gateway locations “in view” of the sensor locations, then a traditional LoRaWAN network like TTN probably isn’t going to work.
What you could do is get one set of a mobile-backhaul gateway and a few nodes and go try things in some locations.
But from the sound of it, you have the unfortunate combination of a very challenging geographic situation, and limited familiarity with the technology.
Until you have evidence that this idea could actually work, you’ll probably want to keep your investment in LoRaWAN hardware limited.
we have the internet connection. only that maybe it is a little weak in certain areas.
Can’t I establish LoRaWAN coverage without needing an internet connection?
Will I be able to make an end-to-end LoRa or LoRaWAN communication and have the information without using the internet or the GSM? what do you think?
really this is what I want to do.
to test that even something and see the feasibility.
but how? what gateway and node can you offer me?
Perfectly.
for tech i read a lot and i think i’m improving but i wanted to try something practical to see what happens.
really you are right.
Thank you very much for your reply.
Not via TTN, and so not within the range of topics covered on this forum.
TTN fundamentally requires good low-latency Internet connectivity from the gateway.
There are gateways which include a miniature stand-alone LoRaWAN network server in the box, generally this is intended as “demo” but it could work on a small isolated network. Chirpstack, RAK, and Dragino all offer this (with Dragino make sure you are looking at actual 8 channel models)
But again those are not on topic here.
what gateway and node can you offer me?
Most flexibility and lowest cost would probably be wiring a LoRaWAN gateway card into a Raspberry Pi; it’s not a very good solution for something to actually leave in the field, but for a brief test it is flexible and gives you some options - which again, are mostly off topic here. You might look at Chirpstack’s Raspberry Pi card image, or try to see if you can actually connect it to TTN via a mobile data plan.
For a node, probably MCCI LMiC on an Adafruit feather. There are many choices, but most bring various challenges so something well supported is key.
To be clear, this is going to be an extremely challenging project, and most of what you need to figure out is not on topic for this forum.
I would also add that Dragino also do a low cost open liquid body (vs tank) level sensor - the LDDS75 - I have been testing a couple with reasonable results, and in theory good for a liquid range ‘heave’ of ~30cm to 6m distance so if you lake levels move in that range may be a viable option. A search on the TTN Marketplace will show you others (DecentLabs etc.)
Also if operating remote with poor internet backhaul for the GW you might want to consider contacting Lacuna Space!.. just a thought
well noted.
I will research these topics and especially the gateways that include LoRaWAN servers I have never heard of.
in fact, I have seen a lot of research and IoT project with which I inspired this idea which is:
monitoring six lakes, by studying the position and the number of footbridges that I will place between these lakes, and then configured these gateways on the Things Network’s LoRaWAN network server.
that’s the idea in general.
the problem I have been thinking of is the transmission of data between the gateways and the LoRawAN server of the Things Network using the internet. and if I have no internet and the gateway is placed very far from the office then I wanted to use it LoRa access points to extend the network to the office there will be Internet and the data consultation computer. these access points I have seen proposed by this manufacturer. Passerelle point d'accès LoRaWAN MultiTech Conduit Access Point - DataPrint.
or to rent with the telecommunications operator special subscriptions or Sim card that I integrate into the gateway even if it will be expensive, so I will have a combination between the LoRaWAN network and the GSM or if there are LoRaWAN gateways with SIM that can be used I will look for.
what do you think this can be possible?
please tell me about LoRa / LoRaWAN simulation software. it can help me to analyze and prove what I think.
Unfortunately
but I will continue my research, it is an objective and it is necessary that I succeed.
of course the help of the members of the forum is much requested.
I am asking for your help but the problem is not the cost now. the problem is the feasibility of the project.
in fact me i thought to find a solution, to do its test for two or three lakes and then to scale it (here other things must come into play).
I thought that my analysis after the research I did that my idea should be feasible but because of your comments and especially that of @cslorabox who advised me not to invest in LoRaWAN equipment as long as I Didn’t find a solution to prove it, made me go back, do it slowly, and do some little testing or prototyping with the low cost components.
this is why I thought of ordering the dragino Lg308 and some sensors to see what will give and to be able to become more familiar with the LoRa / LoRaWAN technology. @cslorabox the Chirpstack has good documentation but I haven’t seen its components.
the information will be exploited by those responsible for this sector.
There are gateways you could run some tests with at $99 or you could buy a gateway for $1,800 and at numbers in between. The point of the question is to guide you towards buying something appropriate.
The ONLY definitive way to prove that a LoRa based solution is not a solution is to try it - so you will have to ignore the advice to not invest in the technology - if you don’t, you won’t be able to try it out.
Personally I think there are so many use cases for a LoRaWAN network to cover a village & surrounding area - monitoring livestock feed & water (or even location), soil moisture levels and so much more, that this is a bit of a no-brainer if it were fully fleshed out.
But if it is only going to be used monitor water level, then LoRaWAN would be money spent on tech that would be far more capable than the simpler LoRa P2P link that would be needed.
You understood well.
I am looking for the components to do a test with an affordable cost.
The objective of this topic was to offer me a gateway that is the most adaptable to the rural area according to your experiences and which works with the Things Network LoRaWAN Server and all other complementary components because I wanted to test the LoRa technology myself and then decide the implementation in place of this project at scale with the Things Network server LoRaWAN.
I fully agree with you.
this is what I really wanted to do, even if the solution does not achieve our objectives we can use the components for other use cases we lose nothing.
of course, if we set up an efficient LoRaWAN network we can use it for several areas:
for example,
-Know the real-time use of water, for example, if livestock uses this water, what is its consumption?
can be used for agriculture
-for the surveillance of the position of the cattle
-maybe even to monitor the health of livestock.
infinitely
what I think
if I am going to do a test for a single lake the LoRa P2P must be sufficient.
but if I want to do a test for six lakes away from each other I have to use the LoRaWAN and determine the location of the best suitable gateways to cover all six lakes.
What do you think?
And your proposal for the gateway?
Thank you very much for your collaboration @descartes
Thank you for all
lake 1: 16°33’30‘’N 9°36’50‘’W
Area ha: 900
lake 2: 15°86’30‘’N 9°01’70‘’W
area ha: 1500
lake 3: 15°50’80‘’N 9°81’70‘’W
area ha: 4000
lake 4: 15°74’90‘’N 9°65’90‘’W
area in ha: 1200
lake 5: 15°98’70‘’N 9°06’70‘’W
area ha: 1000
lake 6: 15°69’70’’N 9°48’30’’W
area ha: 500
these are the Gps coordinates of Kob where there are all these villages and lakes
Kob: 15°49′N 9°24′W
