III. Identify an Issue and Its IoT-Based Resolution(P3-P4)
1. Specific problems need to be solved with IoT
In the realm of agriculture, significant challenges like climate change, dwindling natural resources, and escalating demands for crop productivity have emerged. Addressing these challenges, the smart garden model stands out as a pioneering trend in contemporary agriculture.
Smart gardens leverage cutting-edge technologies, including the Internet of Things (IoT), sensors, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, to establish an intelligent and efficient crop management system. Sensors within smart gardens play a crucial role in monitoring and collecting vital data on soil conditions, humidity, temperature, nutrient levels, and even plant resistance. By
scrutinizing this data, the system can furnish detailed insights into the health of plants and recommend specific measures for optimal plant care.
The adoption of smart gardens yields several advantages. Firstly, it streamlines the crop care process, automating tasks from watering to adjusting fertilizer quantities, thereby saving farmers time and effort. Secondly, by offering precise and timely information for decision-making and intervention, smart gardens contribute to increased productivity and improved product quality. Lastly, they play a role in resource conservation, minimizing the waste of water and fertilizer and, consequently, mitigating adverse environmental impacts.
Recognizing these evident benefits, the utilization of smart gardens not only optimizes farming processes but also delivers substantial economic and environmental advantages to the agricultural sector.
Our team is currently in the process of developing a smart garden system designed to provide water (including nutrient-enriched water for plants), lighting for photosynthesis, and an array of sensors that convert temperature and humidity into monitorable data. This system aims to offer the most optimal and fully automated crop care measures through a networked system.
By utilizing the Arduino IDE, one can configure sensors to gauge the temperature and humidity levels within the garden environment.
This gathered data serves the purpose of optimizing the climate conditions for plants and can activate cooling or heating systems as required.
Light Sensor Integration Code:
Utilizing the Arduino IDE facilitates the integration of light sensors into the smart garden system. This code enables the Arduino board to discern light levels, offering valuable information for fine-tuning artificial lighting systems to create optimal conditions for the growth of plants.
Soil Moisture Sensor Setup Code:
Using the Arduino IDE, you have the capability to set up and program Arduino boards for the purpose of collecting data from soil moisture sensors. This collected data serves the function of monitoring soil conditions, enabling the automatic activation of watering systems when the soil moisture level drops below a predefined threshold.
ESP8266 Configuration for Remote Monitoring:
Using the Arduino IDE, set up ESP8266 microcontrollers to facilitate remote monitoring of the garden. This configuration enables the transmission of data to cloud services or mobile devices, providing immediate and ongoing insights into the current status of the garden.
Automated Irrigation System Code:
Utilizing the Arduino IDE, programming the board enables the control of automated irrigation systems. By incorporating data from diverse sensors like moisture, light, and temperature, the Arduino has the capability to independently adjust watering schedules in accordance with the specific requirements of the plants.
c. Hardware
Water Pump Motor (DC6-12V R385 motor):
Figure 7 Water Pump Motor:
Description: The DC6-12V R385 motor is a water pump motor capable of handling various liquids, including heated liquids up to a temperature of 80°C.
Functionality: This pump is designed for circulating liquids and can operate with a voltage range of 6-12V. It has the capability to pump water through a tube from a source located up to 2 meters away and vertically pump water up to a height of 3 meters. This type of pump is often used in applications where precise liquid circulation or transfer is required, such as in cooling systems or water-based projects.
Soil Moisture Sensor:
Figure 8 Soil Moisture Sensor:
Function: The soil moisture sensor measures the level of moisture in the soil. It utilizes reflected microwave radiation, and this property is particularly useful in hydrology and agriculture for remote sensing applications.
Application: Farmers and gardeners can employ portable probe instruments equipped with soil moisture sensors to monitor and manage the water content in the soil.
Specifics: When the soil is wet, it reflects microwave radiation differently than when it is dry. Soil moisture sensors are often designed to estimate volumetric water content, providing valuable information for irrigation and agricultural practices.
ESP 8266-12E:
Figure 9 ESP 8266-12E:
Description: The ESP8266-12E is a compact Wi-Fi module widely available in the market. It is specifically designed for establishing wireless network connections and is commonly used with microcontrollers or processors in IoT (Internet of Things) projects.
Functionality: This module enables devices to connect to Wi-Fi networks, facilitating communication and data exchange over wireless networks. It's often employed in projects where a microcontroller or processor needs to be integrated into a Wi-Fi network for remote control or data transmission.
Jump Wire
Figure 10: Jump Wire
A jump wire, also known as a jumper wire, is an electrical wire that typically has connectors or pins at each end. These wires are used to establish electrical connections on a breadboard or other prototyping surfaces without the need for soldering. Jump wires are essential for creating pathways between different points on the breadboard, connecting components, and establishing electrical continuity within the circuit. They come in various lengths and colors, allowing for organized and clear connections. Jump wires play a crucial role in facilitating the assembly and modification of circuits during the prototyping and testing phases, providing a flexible and convenient way to link various components together.
Breadboard
Figure 11: Breadboard
A breadboard is a fundamental tool in electronics for creating and testing temporary prototypes of electronic circuits without the need for soldering. It provides a grid of interconnected holes into which electronic components, such as resistors, capacitors, and integrated circuits, can be inserted. The rows and columns of holes are electrically connected, allowing components to be easily interconnected by placing their leads or terminals into the holes. Wires are then used to make connections between components on the breadboard, facilitating the construction and testing of circuit designs. The solderless nature of a breadboard makes it a versatile and reusable tool for experimenting with electronic circuits.
LCD 1602 I2C:
Figure 12: LCD 1602 I2C
Link the LCD 1602 I2C to the NodeMCU through the I2C port to minimize pin usage and simplify wiring.
The LCD 1602 I2C plays a crucial role in presenting essential parameters like soil moisture, temperature, light level, and system status.
Utilize the LCD to showcase system notifications and warnings, providing users with a straightforward means to monitor status and take required actions.
Develop an user-friendly LCD interface that allows users to effortlessly grasp information without the need for a mobile app or web interface.
Light Sensor:
Figure 13: Light Sensor
Kindly commence a request to retrieve the light value and transmit the obtained information to the NodeMCU..
Relay 5V Single Channel:
Figure 14: Relay 5V Single Channel
A relay module serves as a pivotal component, enabling the control of various devices within the IoT framework, including sensor pumps, water pumps, and lights. This functionality necessitates centralized control facilitated by the NodeMCU. The relay module acts as a crucial intermediary, responding to signals from the NodeMCU and orchestrating the activation or deactivation of connected devices, thereby contributing to the seamless and integrated operation of the overall system.
DHT11 Sensor:
Figure 15: DHT11 Sensor
Requesting the retrieval of temperature and humidity values, followed by the transmission of this information to the NodeMCU module.
Led Lighting
Figure 16: Led Lighting
Function: The LED (Light Emitting Diode) or bulb serves as a visual indicator to show various states or signals within the circuit.
Applications:
Indicates input: Lights up to show that a signal or input has been received.
Indicates output: Can be used to visually represent the output status of the circuit.
Switch On/Off Signal: Used as an indicator to show the on/off status of the circuit.
Specifics: LEDs are efficient and effective indicators due to their low power consumption and ability to emit light in different colors.
USB Data Cable: