LoRa Sensor Mesh with T1000E and Meshtastic

Overview

This project demonstrates how to build an off-grid, wireless, environmental and location monitoring network using the Seeed Studio SenseCAP T1000E LoRa devices and the Meshtastic firmware. With no need for Wi-Fi, cellular, or internet, this setup enables smart citizen sensing in areas with no infrastructure.

We leverage the built-in BME280 sensor (for temperature, humidity, pressure) and the built-in GPS and accelerometer to send telemetry and position data between two T1000E devices via LoRa.

Key Features

• Wireless telemetry broadcasting using Meshtastic
• Off-grid sensor data sharing (Temperature, Humidity, Pressure, Battery)
• GPS position sharing between devices
• View data live on the Meshtastic mobile app
• Works without any coding or internet

Demo Video: T1000E LoRa Mesh Communication via Meshtastic

Watch this short demo showing two T1000E devices exchanging messages using the Meshtastic app over a LoRa mesh — no Wi-Fi or internet needed!

Hardware Used

• 2x Seeed Studio SenseCAP T1000E (nRF52840-based LoRa device)
• Android phone (Meshtastic app installed)
• Optional: USB cable + PC for CLI access

Step-by-Step Setup

Configuring with the Android App (Bluetooth Method)

1. Flash Meshtastic Firmware to T1000E

Follow the official guide to flash the latest Meshtastic firmware to each T1000E

2. Connect Each T1000E to Meshtastic Mobile App

• Open the Meshtastic app
• Connect to each device via Bluetooth
• Assign them names under Device > Settings > Channel > Node Name (e.g., Node-A, Node-B)

3. Enable Modules

On the transmitting node (Node-A):

• Go to Settings > Device > Modules
• Enable:
• Environment
• Power
• Position
• Save and reboot the node

4. View Data on the Receiver Node

On the receiving node (Node-B):

• Open the Meshtastic app
• Go to Device Info > Node-A

View:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Pressure
• Battery voltage
• GPS location (if available)

• You can also tap Debug Panel to see raw LoRa packets arriving with TELEMETRY_APP and POSITION_AP

Configuring with the Command Line (CLI Method)

1. Flash Meshtastic Firmware to T1000E (Skip if pre-flashed)

• Download the latest firmware: https://github.com/meshtastic/firmware/releases
• Use meshtastic-flasher or esptool to flash:

pip install meshtastic --upgrade
meshtastic --flash

• Wait for the process to complete.

2. Verify Connection

• Connect T1000E via USB to your PC
• Run:

meshtastic --info

• This should show device details like firmware version, node ID, etc.

3. Set LoRa Region

• India Example:

meshtastic --set lora.region IN

• Restart device if required.

4. Set a Common Channel

meshtastic --ch-index 0 --ch-set name sensorMesh

• To share with others:

meshtastic --qr

• Then scan using the Meshtastic app.

5. Install and Connect to Android Ap

• Download the app: Meshtastic on Google Play
• Enable Bluetooth on the phone
• Pair with the T1000E:
• Tap "+"
• Scan QR code or connect via BLE
• Accept the channel and key sync.

6. Connect the Second T1000E

• Repeat steps 2–5 for the second node. Make sure both are using the same channel and region.

7. Enable GPS and Environmental Telemetry

meshtastic --set position.gps_enabled true
meshtastic --set telemetry.environment_measurement_enabled true

• Optional:

meshtastic --set telemetry.air_quality_enabled true

8. View Telemetry Data

• On the Meshtastic app: Tap the device > View telemetry
• On CLI:

meshtastic --info

9. Mount and Deploy

• Place devices in open areas with clear sky access for GPS
• Ensure sensor exposure is accurate
• Devices will now share data across the mesh automatically

How It Works

• The transmitting node (Node-A) reads sensor data periodically
• It broadcasts this data as LoRa packets over the mesh network
• The receiving node (Node-B) receives the packets and forwards them to the phone via Bluetooth
• The Meshtastic app decodes and displays the sensor and location information

Real-World Use Case

This LoRa sensor mesh network can be deployed in many scenarios where connectivity is limited or unavailable:

• Smart Cities & Microclimates : Monitor temperature, humidity, and pollution levels in different urban zones using low-power sensors.
• Disaster Response Zones : Create ad-hoc networks in post-disaster areas (e.g., floods, earthquakes) to relay sensor data and GPS locations when infrastructure is down.
• Off-Grid Hiking & Adventure Teams : Share real-time GPS positions and short messages between hiking groups or mountain rescue teams without cellular service.
• Decentralized IoT Networks : Create resilient, peer-to-peer networks for rural areas or edge environments where centralized internet is impractical.
• Remote Agriculture : Monitor soil conditions, moisture levels, or livestock locations across farms using battery-powered sensor nodes.
• Outdoor Events & Camps : Track team members or set up perimeter monitoring for large outdoor gatherings or expeditions.
• Mesh for Mobility : Use on bikes or vehicles to broadcast locations and coordinate movement over large areas with no coverage.

Conclusion

Using the built-in capabilities of the SenseCAP T1000E, we’ve built a zero-infrastructure, mesh network for environmental and positional monitoring. This project is simple to deploy, requires no external sensors, and fits perfectly within the scope of resilient, community-driven technology.

Resources

• Learn more about the Seeed SenseCAP T1000E on the official product page.
• Refer to the Meshtastic documentation to understand how the mesh protocol works.
• Use the Meshtastic CLI tools to configure and monitor nodes from your terminal.
• Follow the Android app usage guide for pairing and managing your devices on mobile.
• Access the latest Meshtastic firmware releases on GitHub to keep your hardware up to date.