LoRa GPS Based IoT Geo-Fencing Using Arduino, and ESP32

Hi there in this tutorial I’ll show you how to build LoRa Based IoT Geo-Fencing Using Arduino, GPS, and ESP32. We’ve built a simple tracking monitoring solution, We use a geofencing system, which creates a virtual boundary. If a pet crosses this boundary, the system sends a message to the owner. We’ll be using simple components like GPS, Arduino, and ESP32 for communication, we use LoRa technology.

Geo-fence is a virtual boundary on a map created using GPS or RFID technology. It makes software and hardware to react when device enters or leaves a specific area.

Example – When your pet leaves the safe zone, it sends a text to the webserver. This way, you’ll know right away if your pet crosses a certain boundary.

 

Creating geofencing systems which is easy to do and has many uses. With this device, we’ll set a starting point and a distance limit. When the device moves too far, the ESP32 sends a message to the webserver to let them know it crossed the set distance.

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Required material

1. ESP32
2. Arduino
3. SX1278 LoRa Module
4. GPS Module
5. Wires
6. Breadboard or ZeroBoard

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What is Geofencing?

Geofence is a virtual fence border drawn around a point by a GPS tracking system. Once it is set up, it triggers alerts or actions when something enters or leaves the area. For example, you can receive notifications when a vehicle crosses into or out of the zone. Geofences can be any shape or size, like circles, rectangles, or irregular shapes.

Geofencing is a powerful technology with many uses in the current world. It’s easy to track cars, find packages, and much more.

Here are some common applications of Geofencing:

• Tracking livestock and different animals
• Monitoring prisoners or people on house arrest
• Protecting valuable items
• Keeping an eye on kids
• Tracking rental cars

Developing a circular Geofence is simple. We define the circle’s center using the initial latitude and longitude values. Then, we compare these coordinates with those received from the GPS module.

Once the distance is calculated, we compare it with the pre-defined distance value. If the calculated distance overreaches this value, it indicates that the object has moved outside the Geofence. At this point, you can decide what action you want the controller board to take.

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LoRa Technology

LoRa, known for its long-distance communication and low power consumption, is the primary part. Using an Arduino and GPS module, we transmit location data over long distances using LoRa communication.

This data is received by the LoRa module combined with ESP32, which processes it and checks if it’s within a user-defined virtual boundary.

In our project, we’re making a circular fence with a 50-meter radius around a certain spot. If the GPS shows coordinates outside this fence, a LoRa transmitter tells another ESP32 LoRa receiver, which then sends data to the web server.

SX1276 LoRa module

Since we’re using LoRa Technology for our project, we opted for the widely-used SX1276 LoRa module. In Europe and some other regions, LoRa operates at 868MHz, while in the USA & Canada, it’s 915MHz, and in Asia, it’s often 433MHz.

As we’re in India, we chose the SX1278 module, which supports 433MHz frequencies. This chip, made by Semtech Corporation, is popular for its long-range and low-power capabilities, making it perfect for IoT devices like ours.

This project uses SX1278 LoRa modules for both the transmitter and receiver. The SX1278 LoRa module combines the Semtech RF transceiver chip SX1278, using LoRa™ Spread Spectrum modulation With its long-distance capabilities and high sensitivity (-139dBm).

This module operates at 100mW power and is ultra-compact in size, making it useful in areas such as Automatic Meter Reading (AMR) and remote industrial control fields.

Home Automation Using Arduino and LoRa Technology

LoRa-Based Smart Agriculture and Remote Monitoring System

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Features:

1. Long-range communication with LoRa Spread Spectrum Modulation
2. Consistent RF power output despite voltage changes
3. Bidirectional communication via Half-Duplex SPI
4. Supports multiple modulation modes: FSK, GFSK, MSK, GMSK, LoRa, and OOK
5. Automatic signal detection and high-speed AFC
6. Packet engine with CRC for data integrity
7. Compact design with shielded housing and spring antenna

Specifications:

• Communication Distance: Up to 15km
• Sensitivity: -148dBm
• Programmable Bit Rates: Up to 300kbps
• RSSI Dynamic Range: 127dB
• Wireless Frequency: 433MHz
• Working Voltage: 1.8V – 3.7V
• Working Temperature: -40°C to +80°C

Applications:

• Remote control
• Industrial control
• Home security alarm
• Home automation remote sensing
• Sensor network
• Health monitoring
• Tag reading and writing

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Neo 6M GPS Module

The Neo 6M GPS Module provides accurate location and time information worldwide, allowing navigation in different vehicles and applications. It uses satellite signals to choose Longitude and Latitude coordinates accurately. Check our previous post-NEO-6 M GPS Module with Arduino | Tutorial, Raspberry Pi Pico GPS Tracker Using NEO-6M & OLED Display

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Circuit Diagram – ESP32 LoRa GPS Based IoT Geo-Fencing Arduino

Here’s the circuit diagram for the LoRa transmitter (Server) and receiver (Client) sections. We’re transmitting GPS data from the Arduino Nano through the LoRa SX1278 module.

LoRa Geo-Fencing Sender Circuit

On the transmitting side, we use Arduino with the LoRa module and GPS Module. The circuit diagram for the same is shown below.

LoRa SX1278 Module	Arduino Nano Board
3.3V	3.3V
GND	GND
En/Nss	D10
G0/DIO0	D2
SCK	D13
MISO	D12
MOSI	D11
RST	D9

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LoRa Geo-Fencing Receiver Circuit

The receiver part uses ESP32 and LoRa Module SX1278. It receives messages from the transmitter and uploads GPS coordinates to the web server. Here’s the schematic for the LoRa-based Geo Fencing Receiver.

LoRa SX1278 Module	ESP32
3.3V	3.3V
GND	GND
NSS	D5
DIO0	D2
SCK	D18
MISO	D19
MOSI	D23
RST	D14

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Programming Guide for ESP32 LoRa GPS-Based IoT Geo-Fencing Arduino

Let’s explore programming for the LoRa-based IoT Geo Fencing project, covering Arduino and ESP32. Since we have both transmitter and receiver circuits, we’ll need code for each.

The following libraries can be installed through the Arduino Library Manager. Go to Sketch > Include Library> Manage Libraries and search for the name.

Before diving into programming, make sure to add these libraries to your Arduino IDE:

1. LoRa Library: [Download]
2. TinyGPSPlus Library: [Download]

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Source Code – ESP32 LoRa GPS-Based IoT Geo-Fencing Arduino

First input boundary coordinates into the code:

1. Use Google Maps to mark your boundary.

1. Get the latitude and longitude for each point, by right-clicking on the map.
2. Just copy and paste your Google Maps coordinates into the code

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Copy the following code to your Arduino IDE.

The following code reads GPS Coordinate, long and lat from the GPS Satelite, and sends the readings via LoRa radio to ESP32 Webserver.

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Receiver Code – LoRa-Based IoT Geo-Fencing

Copy the following code to your Arduino IDE.

 

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Testing the LoRa Sender

Upload the code to your Arduino LoRa Sender Board.

Select the correct COM port under Tools > Port and choose your board under Tools > Board.

The Web Server Dashboard shows the outside status when the transmitter is outside the defined boundary.