A LoRa Based Distributed Environmental Sensing Network for a Digital One Health Surveillance System

Abstract

This paper presents the design, development, and validation of a low-cost, energy-efficient Internet of Things (IoT) temperature monitoring node developed as a proof-of-concept for Digital One Health Surveillance Systems (DOHS). The system is designed to address microclimatic variability in resource-constrained environments, where real-time environmental data are critical for understanding and mitigating health risks at the human–animal–environment interface. The proposed architecture integrates low-power sensing, data logging, and wireless communication to enable continuous temperature monitoring while maintaining minimal energy consumption. Field evaluations conducted using a standalone IoT node demonstrate reliable data acquisition, stable operation, and cost-effective performance under real-world conditions. Although the current implementation focuses on a single-node deployment to validate system functionality and energy efficiency, the design is inherently scalable and intended to support future multi-node, networked deployments for distributed environmental surveillance. The results confirm the feasibility of the proposed node as a foundational component for scalable DOHS frameworks, particularly in low-resource settings where affordability, energy efficiency, and deployment flexibility are essential. 

Field testing over 14 days demonstrated ±0.6°C measurement accuracy, robust communication up to 820 m with <5% packet loss, and calculated battery autonomy of 32.9 days via ESP32 deep-sleep power management. Total component cost (₦65,000 ≈ $40–$50 USD) represents <13% of commercial alternatives. The system provides a scalable, replicable framework for distributed environmental sensing in academic campuses, agricultural zones, and wildlife–human interface areas, enabling high-resolution microclimate mapping to support One Health oriented research, smart campus development, and evidence-based public health decision-making. It demonstrates that low-cost, locally maintainable, solar-powered LoRa IoT nodes can deliver robust, long-range environmental monitoring in tropical, resource-limited contexts