Development of a GSM-Based Monitoring System for Buoy: Enhancing Real-Time Data Transmission and Wide-Range Connectivity

The development of a GSM-based buoy monitoring system aims to track the condition of buoy lights and prevent theft or unintended relocation. In Indonesia's vast waters, where heavy vessel traffic poses navigation challenges, malfunctioning or missing buoy lights increase the risk of accidents. GSM technology was chosen due to its wide communication range, high data transmission speed, and costeffectiveness, enabling real-time monitoring from the buoy to the server. The system integrates an Arduino microcontroller, GSM SIM800L module, Quectel LC86G GNSS module, voltage sensor, light-dependent resistor (LDR), and MPU-6050 IMU sensor to accurately detect the status and location of buoy lights. The collected data is transmitted via the GSM network to a server for analysis, determining the operational status and position of the buoys. Compared to previous systems using LoRa communication which experienced a 6.7 % packet loss, the proposed GSM-based system demonstrates improved transmission reliability with 0 % packet loss, making it a more dependable option for real-time monitoring in maritime environments. Field tests at urban, coastal, and open sea locations showed RSSI values ranging from −73 dBm to −91 dBm, delays between 3500 and 4000 milliseconds, and zero packet loss, confirming its suitability for real-time maritime monitoring.