Implementation of LoRa Wireless Communication in Smart Diabetic Shoes Design

Abstract

Diabetes is a widespread medical condition affecting a substantial portion of the global population. It is a metabolic disorder known as diabetes mellitus, characterized by severe fluctuations in blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production in the human body. The effective monitoring of diabetes is of paramount importance to researchers as it holds the potential to enhance the quality of healthcare services. Among the challenges faced by individuals with diabetes, one prevalent issue is the development of ulcers, which can be challenging to detect promptly. Technological advancements offer a promising avenue for cost-effective and continuous monitoring of chronic diseases like diabetes. This study centers on the development of IoT-based intelligent diabetic footwear that incorporates pressure sensors and temperature monitoring for individuals with diabetic feet. In the evaluation of SX1278 (Ra-02) Lora Module communication, deployed at eight different locations, it was observed that two of these points achieved a flawless transmission success rate of 100%. Conversely, the communication failed at points 6 and 7, with a success rate falling below 50%. Some of these failures can be attributed to signal obstructions, including natural elements such as trees and terrain, as well as man-made structures like buildings and machinery workshops, which hinder the efficient transmission of signals from the end node to the gateway. The results of this research provide positive implications in the form of developing IoT-based diabetes shoes that can be applied with alternative Lora communication connections in areas with poor internet signal.