Design of a radio link network with dc photovoltaic powering for connectivity and smart agriculture in rural areas of Colombia
Introduction: This article is a product of the research project “Design of a Radio Link Network with DC Photovoltaic Powering for Connectivity and Smart Agriculture in Rural Areas of Colombia”, developed at the Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas in 2025.
Problem: The digital divide in Colombia’s rural areas restricts educational and productive development due to high costs and the lack of coverage from traditional telecommunications services.
Objective: To design a radio link network with direct current (DC) photovoltaic power to enable connectivity and smart agriculture in the study area.
Methodology: The preparation, planning, and design phases of the Cisco PPDIOO methodology were applied. Topographic analysis and simulations were performed using Xirio Online software to validate links in the 5.8 GHz band.
Results: The simulations confirmed technical feasibility, with fade margins exceeding 20 dB and optimal reception levels (-63 dBm). The energy system ensures 18 hours of autonomy, powering the equipment directly.
Conclusion: The proposed design constitutes a robust, scalable, and energy-efficient solution, technically viable for bridging the digital divide and fostering agricultural modernization in communities without a conventional power grid.
Originality: The project introduces an innovative direct current (DC) photovoltaic power system that eliminates the use of inverters to maximize efficiency and guarantee the autonomy of the repeater node.
Limitations: Operation in the unlicensed spectrum carries interference risks; therefore, implementation requires on-site spectrum analysis to validate that the noise floor does not degrade the calculated margin.
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