LoRa-Based Low-Cost Nanosatellite for Emerging Communication Networks in Complex Scenarios

Wireless broadband coverage has reached 95% worldwide. However, its trend is expected
to stay the same in the following years, presenting challenges for scenarios such as remote villages and
their surrounding environments. Inaccessibility to these areas for installing terrestrial base stations is
the main challenge to bridge the connectivity gap. In addition, there are emergencies, for instance,
earthquakes or war areas, that require a fast communication reaction by developing networks that
are less susceptible to disruption. Therefore, we propose a low-cost, green-based nanosatellite system
to provide complete coverage in hard-to-reach areas using long-range communication. The system
comprises a pilot station, a base station, and a CubeSat with sensor data collector capabilities acting as
a repeater. Our system can be built within hours with a 3D printer using common material, providing
a flexible environment where components can be replaced freely according to user requirements,
such as sensors and communication protocols. The experiments are performed in Spain by two test
sets validating the communication among all components, with RSSI values below -148 dBm and
the longest distance above 14 km. We highlight the reduction in the environmental impact of this
proposal using a balloon-based launch platform that contributes to sustainable development.