LoRa-Based IoT Soldier Monitoring System Using ESP32 for Long-Range Health Tracking and Alerts

Abstract

The growing need for advanced soldier safety systems in modern defense operations has intensified due to increasing battlefield risks, with global defense expenditures exceeding 2 trillion USD annually and real-time monitoring technologies in defense growing at over 14% per year. Additionally, delayed communication and lack of continuous health monitoring contribute significantly to casualties in remote and hostile environments, highlighting the importance of reliable long-range communication systems. Traditional soldier monitoring systems rely on short-range communication or manual reporting, which may fail in critical situations due to network limitations, delayed response, or lack of real-time data transmission. Furthermore, conventional systems lack integrated IoT monitoring, centralized data access, and automated alert mechanisms, reducing their effectiveness in ensuring soldier safety. To address these challenges, the proposed LoRa-based soldier security system integrated with IoT utilizes transmitter side for sensor data acquisition and the ESP32 on the receiver side for IoT communication. The system integrates SpO2 and heartbeat sensors to continuously monitor vital health parameters, along with an emergency keypad button for manual alerts. Data is transmitted over long distances using LoRa communication, ensuring reliable connectivity even in remote areas. Upon detecting abnormal conditions or emergency signals, alerts are generated through buzzers and LCD displays on both transmitter and receiver units, while IoT integration enables realtime notifications to command centers. This intelligent system enhances soldier safety, ensures timely emergency response, improves situational awareness, and provides a scalable and energy-efficient solution for modern military operations.