Устройства Интернета вещей с поддержкой LoRa помогут повысить готовность сообществ на стихийные бедствия в Кыргызстане

ISOC Research Team had received additional Lora-enabled devices designed to help rural communities and farmers residing near landslides improve well-beings.

Early on September, the Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter had received request from the Ministry of Emergency Situations to install smart devices such as weather and landslide monitoring devices in the southern parts of the republic.

Desk research of the list of locations revealed that in some instances local communities live near the potential source of natural disaster. In the southern parts of the country, low-income families and communities are more vulnerable to consequences of natural disasters such as landslides, mudflows, earthquakes. Mostly because local residents primarily engaged in livestock farming and agriculture cannot afford better living conditions and economic opportunities in safer regions.

In the meantime, nowadays the scientific research project utilize the potential of Lorawan communication gateways for less than 1% of its capacity. Based on the available data, we decided to get more affordable low-cost Lora-enabled devices that could help farmers to grasp the potential of precision agriculture (smart farming) and improve their economic wellbeing.

In addition to the weather monitoring devices that should be installed in order to monitor pilot locations and help to build early-warning systems, we are planning to install sample devices to manage water irrigation of lands, monitor soil health and track animals gazing on landslides.

We plan to provide collected information in user friendly mobile interface and telegram bots so that local farmers could benefit most of technology as well as participate in monitoring of natural disasters.

The benefit of this initiative for the research project is securing the equipment integrity and data collection sustainability in the long term range.

 

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Illustrative image of smart agriculture devices

Завершены монтажные работы на пилотной площадке озера Адыгене

The review of installation works conducted on August and feedback from the installation team revealed that proposed scheme was not sustainable to weather conditions in the altitude of 3600m.

Based on consultations with the experts from CAIAG, Institute of Water Problems as well as ICTP, some changes had been proposed in carcass of the composition to keep photovoltaics as well as its location.

The installation team moved the structure from one hill to another, conducted welding and strengthening works on Adygene high mountain glacial lake.

Due to the delayed installation works, the research team were unable to setup Lorawan gateway and sensors this year. The cold weather conditions and expedition difficulties. We hope to finalize work by May, 2024.

Завершены монтажные работы на озера Адыгене 3600 метров

The construction team had built masts, photovoltaics on established locations on Adygene lake.

A month ago, the joint research team had visited high glacier mountain lake, collected initial data. The desk analysis of the data showed that there are some spots that could be feasible for establishing connection between lora-enabled devices and nearest cellular tower located in a distance of about 25 and 40km from the lake in Chuy valley.

Considering that pilot location is located in high altitudes, where harsh winter conditions and regularly windy, the team built design of construction masts and tower.

The construction team prepared all ready-to-built parts and materials, carried all materials on foot to the base and finished construction of tower and solar panel for the communication device as well as towers for environment monitoring internet of things.

We expect to setup and connect it on September, 2023.

Partnering with Ilbirs Foundation

On August 11, 2023, ISOC Kyrgyzstan Chapter — Aziz Soltobaev and Talant Sultanov — teamed up with representatives from the Ilbirs Foundation and SMART consultant Michael Hotte for a crucial meeting about protecting nature and wildlife.
The main decision from their discussion was to use Lorawan technology for better wildlife monitoring. This advanced technology can transmit data even in places without cell service, making it easier to react quickly to environmental changes.
We proposed to consider use of lora-enabled devices with machine learning tools to use as camera traps as well as to fight poachers. We hope to find innovative solutions to enable Ilbirs Foundation with practical technological solutions to reach their mission: keeping nature safe and ensuring a better, safer future.
ilbirs foundation

Картирование покрытия LoRa в Кыргызстане

In a pioneering initiative, the Internet Society Kyrgyz Chapter has embarked on a groundbreaking project to test and map LoRa-enabled gateway coverage in select pilot locations. This endeavor marks a significant leap forward in the realm of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, aiming to enhance connectivity, streamline data collection, and fortify research efforts.

Mapping LoRa-enabled gateway coverage is a crucial step in advancing IoT infrastructure of the country. LoRa (Long Range) technology, known for its extended range and low power consumption, is increasingly employed in diverse applications, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, and smart city solutions. The success of these applications relies heavily on the optimal placement and coverage of LoRa gateways.

The process of mapping LoRa-enabled gateway coverage involves a meticulous survey of the targeted area, considering topography, geographical features, and potential interference. The ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter, in collaboration with local partners, is employing cutting-edge techniques to identify strategic locations for LoRa gateways. These gateways serve as crucial communication hubs, facilitating the seamless transfer of data between IoT devices and the central network.

The benefits of mapping LoRa-enabled gateway coverage are manifold. Firstly, it ensures that IoT devices within the coverage area can efficiently communicate with the network, enabling real-time data transmission. This is particularly vital for research initiatives focused on environmental monitoring, where timely and accurate data is imperative for informed decision-making.

Secondly, the strategic placement of LoRa gateways optimizes network efficiency, reducing the chances of signal interference and packet loss. This, in turn, enhances the reliability and stability of IoT applications, making them more robust in challenging environments.

From a research perspective, the mapped data provides valuable insights into the performance and limitations of LoRa technology in specific geographic contexts. Researchers can analyze coverage patterns, identify potential dead zones, and fine-tune gateway placements for maximum efficacy. This iterative process of testing and mapping contributes to the continuous improvement of IoT infrastructure, fostering innovation and advancements in diverse fields.

In conclusion, the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter’s initiative to test and map LoRa-enabled gateway coverage in pilot locations is a commendable stride towards harnessing the full potential of IoT technology. By strategically placing gateways and optimizing coverage, this effort not only enhances connectivity and data reliability but also lays the groundwork for transformative research endeavors that leverage the power of the Internet of Things for natural disaster monitoring and prediction.

Поход на высокогорное озеро Адыгене

On July 21, the ISOC research team embarked on an expedition to Adygene Glacier Mountain Lake, strategically situated 60 km south-southwest of Bishkek. Nestled at an altitude of 3600m in the upper reaches of the Adygene river valley, a left-side tributary of the Ala-Archa river, this high glacier lake serves as a focal point for the deployment of IoT sensors aimed at monitoring glacial lake outburst floods.

The Adygene lake complex, positioned on the sea of the glacier, encompasses three additional lakes to the south and southeast. The southeasternmost lake, situated at an elevation of 3640 meters, was formed along the northern edge of the glacier, with its southern coast adjoined to the glacier itself. Measuring 188 meters in length and 70 meters at its widest point, the lake has a perimeter of 550 meters, covering an area of 17142 square meters. A stream flows from the northeastern side, eventually merging with a small moraine lake after a 330-meter journey. Additionally, the southern part of the lake houses ten more small moraine lakes.

Under the guidance of our partner, the Institute of Water Problems under the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic, Adygene glacier lake has been subject to monitoring using various technological means. The Adygene station, established in 2008, plays a pivotal role in studying high mountain lakes and glaciers while safeguarding the local population from potential outbursts. Adjacent to the station, a traditional meteorological station has been set up, where researchers manually collect daily data using sensors and retrieve information from an automatic station.

Initially, geostationary connectivity was employed due to the absence of mobile coverage. However, owing to budgetary constraints, this option was abandoned, given the exorbitant monthly costs ranging from 200 to 500 USD.

Recognizing the line of sight with Chuy valley base stations, the Research team of ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter and ICTP proposed the implementation of LoRaWAN connectivity, offering real-time 24/7 monitoring at a more affordable 3-dollar GSM connectivity monthly plan.

With this strategic rationale, the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter members and interns from the Institute of Water Problems embarked on a strenuous six-hour hike to the location. The journey was characterized by challenging terrain, transitioning from hot summer conditions to rainy and windy weather, accompanied by temperature fluctuations of up to 20 degrees.

Upon reaching the destination, the team meticulously assessed connectivity, identified potential spots for setting up communication gateways, determined the types of measurements and sensors required, and outlined the necessary mast installations. Following an intense day, the team returned to the main road of Ala-Archa national park late at night. Armed with the collected data, a comprehensive working and logistics plan was formulated for the installation of the Internet of Things infrastructure at Adygene Glacier Lake.

Обеспечиваем регулярное техобслуживание LoRaWan сети и сенсоров

The ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter team has been actively engaging in routine maintenance visits to our pilot locations. Since the initial installation of LoRa-enabled sensors, certain units have necessitated additional on-site attention to ensure optimal performance.

In some instances, ensuring the proper functioning of sensors called for tasks such as excavation from the soil, recalibration, and subsequent reburial. In other cases, the effective operation of sensors demanded the application of specific, albeit previously undocumented, installation techniques. Additionally, challenges arose in certain cases due to inconsistent sensor quality from specific vendors.

To address these complexities, interns from the Institute of Water Problems were actively involved in the process. Their participation served a dual purpose – to offer hands-on training and education and to facilitate the exchange of expertise with students.

As we continue to progress through the data collection stage of our research project, these maintenance efforts remain instrumental in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of our LoRa-enabled sensors in diverse environmental conditions.

Панель данных LoraWan IoT Кыргызстан

The team created beta version of the dashboard visualization of the project data collected from pilot locations.

The dashboard represents visualization of the following data: relative air humidity, air temperature, solar irradiation, atmospheric pressure, precipitation, wind speed, wind direction. The other dashboard represents visualization of the following data: soil moisture and precipitation, water level. Dashboards are available in Kyrgyz, English and Russian languages. Some dashboards are specially designed for local communities to use for the benefit of community.

We believe in open source solutions. That’s why we use Grafana — a multi-platform open source analytics and interactive visualization web application.The information gathered from Lora-enabled sensors through Lorawan communication gateways and transmitted to the central server via GSM network. Collected IoT telemetry data stored on servers and then visualized using Grafana software. Up-to date information is available via link: http://dashboard.isoc.kg

Note. Since its scientific project, some publicly available data may have wrong parameters or data due to internal experiments, settings, tuning, etc. Please consult before use in research purposes.

Кыргызское отделение ISOC и Институт водных проблем сотрудничают в области мониторинга высокогорных ледниковых озер

On May 19, 2023, the Internet Society (ISOC) Kyrgyz Chapter convened a meeting with the Institute of Water Problems under the Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic. The discussion revolved around the current state of monitoring high mountain glacier lakes, the potential benefits of the ISOC project for Kyrgyz scientists, and the upcoming plans for sensor installation.

The monitoring of high mountain glacier lakes is a topic of immense importance, given their significant role in maintaining local and regional water balances. However, challenges such as remote locations, harsh environmental conditions, and technical constraints have often made comprehensive monitoring a difficult task. During the meeting, the representatives of the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter presented their ongoing research project that focuses on overcoming these hurdles through the innovative use of technology.

As part of the research grants project funded by the ISOC Foundation, the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter plans to install meteorological stations, snow level measurement sensors, and water measurement sensors on Adygene glacier lake and the adjacent moraines. This project will use advanced Lorawan-enabled sensors to provide real-time data on various environmental parameters. With this initiative, the Chapter aims to bolster the existing monitoring efforts by providing a reliable and consistent stream of data, which can assist scientists in understanding and predicting glacier behavior more accurately.

The meeting attendees deliberated on potential dates for sensor installation, narrowing it down to the June-July 2023 timeframe. This scheduling aligns with the optimal weather conditions for such operations, allowing for safer and more efficient installation procedures.

The Institute of Water Problems, a leading authority on water-related research in Kyrgyzstan, expressed high endorsement for the ISOC Kyrgyz Chapter’s research work. The Institute appreciated the technical approach to tackling the challenges of glacier monitoring and expressed optimism about the positive implications of this research project. The collaboration marks a significant stride towards enriching Kyrgyzstan’s scientific landscape by blending traditional field research with cutting-edge technology.

As the project unfolds, it will contribute to a deeper understanding of the glacier lakes’ dynamics. More importantly, it will provide actionable insights for water resource management, disaster prediction, and climate change mitigation efforts, thereby underlining the transformative role of technology in environmental conservation.