Komunikasi Jaringan Bluetooth dengan Topologi Mesh Network Berbasis ESP32 untuk Penghitungan Jumlah Penumpang Bus Wisata

Abstract

The automatic passenger monitoring system has become essential in modern transportation management, especially for large capacity tourist buses. This study designs and implements a passenger counting system using an ESP32 microcontroller, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Mesh communication. Each seat contains a server node (transmitter) that detects passenger presence and periodically sends distance data to a client node (receiver). The receiver processes and displays the passenger count in real-time on an LCD screen, while transmitting it to ThingsBoard for remote monitoring. Tests were conducted with three transmission power levels: −12 dBm (low), 0 dBm (medium), and +9 dBm (high). Results showed the system operated stably up to 3 meters at −12 dBm (RSSI −82 dBm), 7 meters at 0 dBm (RSSI −82 dBm), and 15 meters at +9 dBm (RSSI −85 dBm). The multi-node configuration (1 receiver – 3 transmitters) further enhanced stability as each server acted as a relay within the Full Mesh topology. Integration with ThingsBoard provided centralized, clear data visualization. Overall, the combination of ultrasonic sensors, ESP32, BLE Mesh, and ThingsBoard delivers a practical, efficient, and reliable solution for passenger monitoring in smart transportation systems.