LoRaLink: Resilient Communication for Firefighters via Meshtastic ESP32
Problem Statement:
Firefighters often operate in environments where traditional communication infrastructure is either overloaded, unavailable, or compromised—such as in remote forests, collapsed buildings, or disaster zones. Reliable, long-range, and low-power communication is essential for maintaining situational awareness, coordinating team movements, and ensuring safety.
Meshtastic ESP32 devices using LoRa (Long Range Radio) offer a promising solution. These devices can form self-healing mesh networks without the need for cellular or internet infrastructure, allowing robust peer-to-peer communication over several kilometers.
Task:
The goal of this project is to explore, prototype, and evaluate Meshtastic-based ESP32 LoRa communication systems tailored for firefighter teams. This includes assessing signal performance in various terrain types, understanding limits of node density and range, and designing user-friendly interfaces for wearable integration.
Work:
· 20% Theory: Research on LoRa mesh networking, firefighter communication protocols, and safety requirements.
· 70% Prototyping & Testing: Develop and test wearable Meshtastic ESP32 nodes, simulate use-cases in field conditions (e.g., forests, tunnels, buildings).
· 10% Writing: Summarize findings, implementation strategies, and recommendations for real-world deployment.
This project will be in collaboration with Inertia Technology B. V.
Contact:
Sabari Nathan Anbalagan (s.n.anbalagan@utwente.nl)