An implementation of an autonomous IoT system for real-time water quality monitoring with 4G and satellite connection : CatFish - Embedded systems

Abstract: This thesis is about implementing an Internet of Things system for measuring water quality in rivers and other aquatic environments with an autonomous water drone, where the data from various components are collected and sent wirelessly to the database in real-time. A Raspberry Pi is connected to the internet through a 4G modem and a wireless satellite communication connection called RockBlock for emergency calls and notifications. In addition, a sonar is also implemented to collect data for the unmanned surface vehicle's (USV) avoidance of collisions. Finally, batteries are connected to solar panels to auto-generate energy and provide the USV with its requested current and voltage. The minimum parameters to measure water quality are four: potential hydrogen, dissolved oxygen, nitrates, and colored dissolved organic matter. As a result, the system in this thesis measures the four parameters mentioned above, plus turbidity and temperature, since the interconnected sensors can also measure those. In addition, optical sensors were chosen because of their exceptional accuracy and precision when measuring water quality. The environment, mainly the aquatic, will benefit from this project and change for the better with time.