🌍 LoRi - LoRa Based Emergency Communication System

Overview

LoRi is an innovative Emergency Communication System (ECS) that leverages LoRa (Long Range) technology to provide reliable, long-range communication during disaster scenarios when traditional communication infrastructure is unavailable. It enables critical communication when it’s needed most.

🎯 The Problem

During emergencies and natural disasters, traditional communication networks often fail due to infrastructure damage or network congestion. Existing solutions face several limitations:

Cellular Networks: Often overloaded or damaged during disasters
Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: Limited range (typically <100m)
Satellite Phones: Expensive and not widely available
Walkie-Talkies: Limited range and require direct line of sight

💡 Our Solution

LoRi provides an infrastructure-independent emergency communication system with:

Long-range communication using LoRa technology (up to 15 km in rural areas)
Multi-hop networking to extend coverage beyond direct line of sight
Voice activation for hands-free emergency alerts
Real-time location tracking of distress signals
Web-based dashboard for monitoring and management

🛠️ System Architecture

Hardware Components

LoRa Nodes: Arduino-based devices with LoRa modules
Gateway: Central LoRa receiver connected to the internet
Sensors: GPS for location tracking, microphone for voice activation

Software Stack

Node.js Backend: Handles data processing and storage
MongoDB Database: Stores emergency alerts and location data
Web Interface: Real-time monitoring dashboard with interactive map

🚀 Key Features

Long-range Communication: Up to 15 km in optimal conditions
Low Power Consumption: Battery life of several years
Secure Data Transmission: Encrypted communication
Real-time Tracking: GPS-enabled location services
Multi-hop Networking: Extends coverage through node-to-node communication
Voice Activation: Hands-free emergency alerts

🏗️ Technical Implementation

Hardware Setup

Microcontroller: ESP32 or Arduino MKR WAN 1300
LoRa Module: RFM95/96 for long-range communication
GPS Module: NEO-6M for location tracking
Power Source: Rechargeable battery pack

Software Components

Backend: Node.js with Express
Database: MongoDB for data storage
Frontend: Real-time dashboard with interactive map
Firmware: Arduino-based for LoRa nodes

📱 Web Dashboard

The web interface provides:

Real-time map view of active nodes
Emergency alerts with location markers
Node status monitoring
Historical data and analytics
Alert management system

🎯 Use Cases

Disaster Response

Coordinate rescue operations when traditional networks are down
Track first responders in the field
Send emergency alerts to affected areas

Remote Areas

Provide communication in areas with no cellular coverage
Enable connectivity for remote communities
Support for agricultural and environmental monitoring

Event Management

Temporary communication networks for festivals
Emergency coordination at large gatherings
Staff communication in challenging environments

🚀 Getting Started

Prerequisites

Node.js (v14 or later)
MongoDB Atlas account (or local MongoDB instance)
Arduino IDE (for hardware programming)
LoRa modules (e.g., RFM95/96)

Installation

Clone the repository

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git clone https://github.com/johntharian/lori.git
cd lori/Node

Install dependencies
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npm install

Configure environment Create a .env file with your MongoDB connection string:

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MONGODB_URI=mongodb+srv://<username>:<password>@cluster.mongodb.net/lori
PORT=3000

Start the server
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node index.js
Access the dashboard Open http://localhost:3000 in your web browser

🎥 Demo

Check out our YouTube demo to see LoRi in action!

Last modified on 2020-02-09