Instrumentation and Control for Wireless Sensor Network for Automated Irrigation

Abstract

An in-field sensor-based irrigation system is of benefit to producers in efficient watermanagement. A distributed wireless sensor network eliminates difficulties to wire sensor stationsacross the field and reduces maintenance cost. Implementing wireless sensor-based irrigationsystem is challenging on seamless integration of sensing, control, and data communication. Anautomated sensor-based irrigation system was developed for an integrated wireless in-field sensornetwork and automated variable rate irrigation. Field conditions were real-time monitored sitespecificallyby in-field sensor stations distributed across the field. Each sensor station measured soilmoisture, soil temperature, and air temperature, while one weather station recorded precipitation,wind speed and direction, air temperature, relative humidity, and solar radiation. Sensors and a datalogger were self-powered by a solar panel and sensory data was periodically sampled and wirelesslytransmitted to a base station about 700 m away from the sensor stations. A host computer receivedand real-time displayed field data without interference. This paper describes details of the design andconstruction of wireless communication, hardware used, and the costs and benefits of the controlsystem.