Self-Powered Radio Node for Environmental Monitoring and On-Demand Event Reporting

Abstract

This paper describes the development of an embedded wireless sensor network designed for autonomous environmental monitoring in remote locations. Each node is powered by a photovoltaic panel and stores energy in a supercapacitor, eliminating the need for batteries. A dedicated power management circuit, the AEM10941, handles boost conversion, energy storage, and voltage regulation, enabling reliable operation under fluctuating light conditions. The system is built around a low-power embedded microcontroller, which periodically measures temperature and atmospheric pressure using a Bosch BMP280 sensor and transmits data via an integrated LoRa radio module. A physical button allows users to manually trigger event-based transmissions, adding flexibility to the monitoring process. This dual-function approach supports both scheduled sensing and user-initiated data reporting. The embedded platform provides a small, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient solution for deployments without infrastructure, making it appropriate for uses like ecological research, agricultural inspections, and progress tracking at outdoor events.