Development of a Robust Emergency Communication System Utilizing LoRa and GPS with Multi-Hop Routing

Conventional communication methods such as mobile phones, satellite communication, and Wi-Fi face significant challenges in remote or underserved areas. Mobile phones often fail due to low signals or lack of towers, satellite communication is prohibitively expensive, and Wi-Fi cannot cover large distances. This research explores the use of LoRa (Long Range) technology combined with a multi-hop communication technique to address these issues. LoRa’s long-range capabilities and low power consumption make it ideal for reliable communication in challenging environments and in contrast to GSM which calls for a subscription and is based on mobile infrastructure, LoRa operates independently and is cost-effective. By implementing a multi-hop strategy, messages are relayed through multiple nodes, significantly extending the communication range. This paper also addresses and resolves issues such as infinite looping in message passing by incorporating unique identifiers and timestamps to ensure message integrity. Performance evaluations demonstrate substantial improvements in communication reliability and range extension, establishing this method as a cost-effective and efficient alternative to traditional communication technologies.