# MoleNet: A Wireless Underground Sensor Network Platform

![MoleNet Logo](images/2025_molenet_logo_small_text_blk.png)

**MoleNet** is a versatile Wireless Underground Sensor Network (WUSN) platform designed for education and low-power environmental monitoring.
This repository contains all relevant resources, including PCB layouts, source code, and examples to test and evaluate the platform.

Further information can be found on the official [MoleNet Website](https://molenet.org/)!

> ⚠️ **Note:** This is an active project. The files and directory structure are subject to change.


## New ESP32-based MoleNet!

After a long journey, we are finally at a point where we are testing the current version on a larger scale.
The latest version of MoleNet features several key improvements:

- **ESP32-S3 microcontroller**: A powerful yet energy-efficient processor that supports various development ecosystems including [MicroPython](https://micropython.org/), [Arduino](https://www.arduino.cc/), and [RiotOS](https://www.riot-os.org/)
- **SDI-12 sensor interface**: Compatible with high-quality environmental sensors
- **Micro-SD card support**: Enables extensive local data storage
- **SX1276-based LoRa transceiver**: Provides long-range wireless communication
- **On-board BME280 sensor**: Measures temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity [BME280](https://www.bosch-sensortec.com/products/environmental-sensors/humidity-sensors-bme280/)
- **Low-power design**: Ensures long battery life for extended deployments
- **qwiic connectivity**: Simplifies integration of I2C-based sensors, as, for
  example, available here: [Sparkfun](https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic)


## Older Versions

Documentation for the ATMEGA-based MoleNet boards can be found in the [documentation directory](docs/MoleNet_ATMEGA.md).

## Changelog

The list of changes and the evolution of MoleNet is listed in the
[changelog](CHANGELOG.md).

## Publications

The following list gives some MoleNet-related publications:

- Gellhaar, M., Dede, J., Koehler, H., & Förster, A. (2016, February). Design and Evaluation of Underground Wireless Sensor Networks for Reforestation Monitoring. [In EWSN (pp. 229-230)](https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/2893711.2893747).
- Zaman, I., Dede, J., Gellhaar, M., Koehler, H., & Foerster, A. (2016). Molenet: A new sensor node for underground monitoring. [IEEE SenseApp](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309397324_MoleNet_A_New_Sensor_Node_for_Underground_Monitoring).
- Zaman, I., Gellhaar, M., Dede, J., Koehler, H., & Foerster, A. (2016, November). Design and evaluation of MoleNet for wireless underground sensor networks. In 2016 IEEE 41st conference on local computer networks workshops (LCN workshops) (pp. 145-147), [2016 IEEE 41st Conference on Local Computer Networks Workshops (LCN Workshops), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 2016, pp. 145-147](https://doi.org/10.1109/LCN.2016.040).
- Dede, J., Helms, D., & Förster, A. (2021). MoleNet: An Underground Sensor Network for Soil Monitoring. [Electronic Communications of the EASST, 80](https://doi.org/10.14279/tuj.eceasst.80.1132)
- Sambo, D. W., Dede, J., Mitton, N., & Förster, A. (2023). FuzDeMa: A portable Fuzzy-based Decision-Making tool for reliable communication in Wireless Underground Sensor Networks. [ITU Journal on Future and Evolving Technologies, 4(3), 419-433](https://www.doi.org/10.52953/IXIP2995).

## I Want to Have MoleNet!

MoleNet is a dynamic project that is constantly evolving. At its current stage, we do not offer a ready-to-use, fully certified product with complete end-user support.

If you would like to contribute to the development of MoleNet and need hardware for testing and further development, you have two options:

1. **Build the hardware yourself.** All the necessary resources can be found in this repository.
2. **Order evaluation boards** from our partner [Intergalactic Circuits](https://intergalactic-circuits.de) for personal use.

## Contributors

Many students and researchers contribute to the MoleNet project.
See the full list of contributors in [CONTRIBUTORS.md](CONTRIBUTORS.md).