Build Instructions

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• 1

  Install FDRS and Flash Your Devices

  In this tutorial I will assume that you have already installed Arduino IDE and the latest ESP32/8266 board definitions.

  Install FDRS

  Download and extract 'range_testing.zip'. Copy the folder titled 'Farm-Data-Relay-System' into your Arduino 'libraries' folder.
  

  Flash your devices

  Gateway #1

  The first gateway sends all received data to Node-RED, either by a USB-UART connection or ethernet.  It can be any ESP module, but I recommend using a standard ESP8266 WeMos D1 Mini, an ESP32 Dev Kit, or the ThingPulse ESPGateway Ethernet.

  If using ethernet, go to the attached 'fdrs_gateway_config.h', and uncomment the line that says:

  #define USE_ETHERNET
  

  Select the board you are using ('ESP32 Dev Module' for ThingPulse Gateway), choose the the COM port that your board is connected to, and press "Upload". 
  

  Gateway #2

  The second gateway acts as an ESP-NOW/LoRa access point for sensors and controllers. It forwards any data that it receives directly to the first gateway.

  Select the board "TTGO LoRa32-OLED", choose the the COM port that your board is connected to, and press "Upload".

  GPS Node

  The GPS node obtains its GPS coordinates and sends them via LoRa to the second gateway at ten second intervals.
  To test your ESP-NOW coverage instead, switch the following two options in 'fdrs_node_config.h' to look like this:

  #define USE_ESPNOW
  //#define USE_LORA

  Select the board "TTGO LoRa32-OLED", choose the the COM port that your board is connected to, and press "Upload".

• 2

  Prepare Node-RED

  In this tutorial I will assume that you already have a Node-RED server up and running, as well as an MQTT broker if taking that option.

  Add Contributed Nodes

  Click the menu in the top right corner, then choose "Manage palette" (alt-shift-p). Click the install tab and find/install 'node-red-contrib-web-worldmap' and 'node-red-node-serialport' (if using UART).

  Import Flow

  Download 'gps_flow.json' and import it into Node-RED using the "Import" option from the menu (ctrl-i).

  If you are using USB/UART: 

  • Double-click on the serial node, edit the configuration and choose the COM port that Gateway #1 is connected to. 

  If you are using ethernet/MQTT: 

  • Double-click on the MQTT node and enter the address of your MQTT broker. 
• 3

  Prepare and Position Your Devices

  Gateway #1

  If you are using USB/UART:
  

  • Gateway #1 will be plugged directly into the server that is running Node-RED via USB.

  If you are using ethernet/MQTT:
  

  • Gateway #1's ethernet will be connected to your network, and its USB to a wall outlet.

  Gateway #2 
  

  This gateway will be listening for the GPS node, so it's important for it to be positioned in a spot where it will get good reception. A roof or attic window would be perfect. Keep in mind that while it can run off batteries for a few hours, this device will need to remain plugged into a power source for normal use. 

  GPS Node

  There are three wires that should be connected between the GPS module and the LoRa module:

  TTGO  ---  GPS Module

  3V3       ---   VCC
  GND      ---   GND
  GPIO13  ---   TXD
  
  To power the GPS node you can use your own battery with the TTGO's onboard battery circuit, or run it off of USB.

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