Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Samuil Nikolov, Sophomore
Lead Presenter's Name
Samuil Nikolov
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Aviation
Faculty Mentor Name
Sean Crouse
Abstract
This research aims to systematically quantify the performance of a custom-built RF flight computer utilizing the 433 MHz HAM radio band with the LoRa protocol. Having demonstrated reliable high-speed telemetry at 15 Hz in a real-world flight environment—far exceeding the capabilities of commercial alternatives—this system presents a unique opportunity to establish best practices for optimizing LoRa communication in extreme conditions. The study focuses on evaluating various antenna configurations and transmission parameters to determine their impact on range, bandwidth, and signal integrity. By conducting controlled range tests and flight experiments, we will assess how well the Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) equation models real world telemetry performance and establish optimal transmission settings for maximizing range while maintaining data fidelity. The findings will contribute to the development of best practices for implementing LoRa in both aerospace telemetry and ground-based applications, including remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure communication networks. This research aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing LoRa technology for diverse real world use cases.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Quantifying LoRa Telemetry Performance: Best Practices for Long-Range, High-Speed Communication in Versatile Systems, with a focus on Avionics
This research aims to systematically quantify the performance of a custom-built RF flight computer utilizing the 433 MHz HAM radio band with the LoRa protocol. Having demonstrated reliable high-speed telemetry at 15 Hz in a real-world flight environment—far exceeding the capabilities of commercial alternatives—this system presents a unique opportunity to establish best practices for optimizing LoRa communication in extreme conditions. The study focuses on evaluating various antenna configurations and transmission parameters to determine their impact on range, bandwidth, and signal integrity. By conducting controlled range tests and flight experiments, we will assess how well the Free-Space Path Loss (FSPL) equation models real world telemetry performance and establish optimal transmission settings for maximizing range while maintaining data fidelity. The findings will contribute to the development of best practices for implementing LoRa in both aerospace telemetry and ground-based applications, including remote sensing, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure communication networks. This research aims to provide valuable insights into optimizing LoRa technology for diverse real world use cases.