LoRaWAN IoT Monitoring System
An autonomous environmental sensing node for 3D printing filament storage using TTN and Datacake.
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Project Overview
3D printing filament quality is highly sensitive to ambient humidity. I engineered a dedicated IoT sensor node to monitor storage conditions over long distances and extended periods using LoRa technology.
Key Features
- BME680 Environmental Sensor: High-precision measurement of temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
- Long-Range Connectivity: Implementation of the LoRaWAN protocol via The Things Network (TTN) for robust transmission through structural obstacles.
- Cloud Dashboard: Seamless integration with Datacake for real-time data visualization, historical logging, and automated alert notifications.
- Power Management: Powered by a rechargeable Li-ion battery with an integrated charging circuit and optimized firmware for ultra-low power consumption.
Technical Challenges
The primary engineering hurdle was power optimization. To ensure the module could remain autonomous for several months, I implemented deep-sleep modes, reducing standby current to the micro-ampere range. I also developed a custom JavaScript Payload Formatter on the TTN console to perform bit-packing, significantly reducing the uplink packet size and minimizing LoRa “Airtime” to comply with legal duty cycles.
“This project demonstrates the successful bridge between physical hardware sensing and industrial-grade cloud data management.”