Smart Irrigation System Using IoT

Hi there, I'm Karthik!

Below is the article detailing the project I have completed on the implementation of a Smart Irrigation System utilizing Arduino microcontrollers and moisture sensors.

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS



1. ARDUINO UNO (ATMEGA328P)

Arduino Uno is a popular microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P microcontroller chip. It is a simple and affordable board with a user-friendly interface that makes it a great choice for beginners and professionals alike. The ATmega328P chip has 32 KB of flash memory for storing the code, 2 KB of SRAM, and 1 KB of EEPROM. It also has 14 digital input/output pins, 6 of which can be used as PWM outputs, and 6 analog input pins. The board also has a USB port that can be used for programming and power supply. The Arduino Uno can be programmed using the Arduino IDE (Integrated Development Environment), which is a user-friendly platform for creating and uploading programs to the board. Arduino Uno is widely used in various applications such as robotics, automation, home automation, and many more. Its popularity and ease of use have made it a go-to choose for many hobbyists and professionals alike.

 

2. soil moisture sensor

Soil moisture sensors are electronic devices that measure the amount of water content in soil. They can be used to monitor soil moisture levels in agricultural fields, gardens, and other applications where water management is critical. Soil moisture sensors come in different types, including capacitance sensors, tensiometers, and resistance sensors. Capacitance sensors measure the dielectric constant of the soil, which is related to the soil's moisture content. Tensiometers measure the tension or pressure exerted by soil water on a porous ceramic cup, while resistance sensors measure the electrical resistance of the soil, which is inversely related to soil moisture content. Soil moisture sensors can provide real-time data on soil moisture levels, which can help prevent over
watering or under watering and promote healthier plant growth. They are commonly used in conjunction with smart irrigation systems and can help reduce water usage and associated costs while improving plant health and yield.


3. ELECTRICAL SWITCH

A mechanical switch is a type of switch that uses physical means to make or break a connection in an electrical circuit. It consists of a movable contact, which is connected to a mechanical actuator, and a stationary contact, which is connected to a circuit. When the actuator is moved, the movable contact comes into contact with or moves away from the stationary contact, completing or breaking the circuit.

4. 5V DC RELAY MODULE

A 5V DC relay module is a type of electronic module that allows a low voltage circuit to control a higher voltage or current circuit. It consists of a relay switch and a control circuit that operates the relay switch. The relay switch is an electromechanical device that opens and closes an electrical contact when an electric current is applied to its coil. The control circuit consists of a transistor, diode, and resistor, which regulate the current that flows through the relay coil. It is commonly used in applications that require a low voltage control signal to activate a high voltage or current device, such as motors, lights, and solenoids. The module is typically designed to be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or a breadboard, and it has screw terminals or headers for easy connection to the control and load circuits.

5. POWER SUPPLY CABLE FOR ARDUINO

The power supply cable for Arduino Uno is a cable that is used to power the Arduino Uno microcontroller board. The cable typically consists of a USB type-A connector on one end and a 2.1mm barrel jack connector on the other end. The USB connector is plugged into a USB port on a computer or USB wall adapter, and the barrel jack connector is plugged into the power input of the Arduino Uno board.The power supply cable can provide power to the Arduino Uno board from a variety of sources, including a USB port on a computer, a USB wall adapter, or a battery pack with a compatible barrel jack connector. The cable is designed to provide a regulated 5V DC power supply to the board, which is used to power the microcontroller, sensors, and other electronic components that are connected to the board.


6. JUMPER CABLES

Jumper cables are a type of cable used to connect components in electronic circuits, including the Arduino Uno microcontroller board. They consist of a flexible wire with a connector on each end that can be attached to a pin on the Arduino board and another component, such as a sensor or an LED.Jumper cables used with the Arduino Uno typically have male-to-male or male-to-female connectors. Male-to-male jumper cables are used to connect pins on the Arduino board to each other or to a breadboard, while male-to-female jumper cables are used to connect pins on the board to sensors or other components.Jumper cables are available in a variety of lengths and colours, which makes it easy to organize and label connections in complex circuits. They are also available in different wire gauges, which affects the amount of current that can be carried through the cable.



7. 9V BATTERY

A 9V battery is a type of disposable or rechargeable battery that is commonly used in electronic devices such as smoke detectors, guitar pedals, and other portable devices. It is a rectangular-shaped battery that measures approximately 48mm x 26mm x 17mm and has a nominal voltage of 9 volts.



8. Mini Water Pump (4V - 12V)

 The Water pump is used to extract water from the water tank to the desired place (In this case it might be a pot (or) garden) , Typically it has impellers which pulls the water in and push the water out at high pressure.


 

DESIGN OF ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT




 Connections

Digital Pin ‘3’→     Input terminal of relay module

Digital pin ‘6’          → ‘DO’ pin of soil moisture sensor

‘5V’ of Arduino         → ‘VCC’ pin of relay module

‘GND’ of Arduino     → ‘GND’ pin of relay module

‘GND’ of Arduino     → ‘GND’ pin of soil moisture sensor

‘Vin’ of Arduino        → ‘VCC’ pin of soil moisture sensor

‘CC’ port of relay      → ‘-Ve’ terminal of motor pump

‘NO’ port of relay     →‘+Ve’ terminal of motor pump   

(NOTE: You can connect the single pole switch between the motor pump and the output terminals of relay module, in order to create a circuit break which allows the user to turn ‘ON’ and ‘OFF’ the system according to his wish.)

 

PROGRAMMING THE ARDUINO UNO

 

►The code given below is a simple program to start irrigation when moisture is detected and stop it when moisture is not detected.

 

Program

Int moisture;       // random variable

void setup

{

pinMode(3,OUTPUT);    // Output pin for relay module

pinMode(6,INPUT);      // input pin sending signal from soil moisture sensor

}

void loop()

{

Moisture = digitalRead(6);   // reads the incoming signal from soil moisture sensor

if (moisture == HIGH)
{
digitalWrite(3,LOW);         // if moisture content in soil is high turn of relay

}

else

{

digitalWrite(3,HIGH);       // if moisture content in soil is low turn on the relay

}

delay(390);

}

           
    WORKING OF THE PROJECT IN FLOW CHART




►Here is an updated version of the program that allows the user to modify the 
moisture level for which the system starts irrigating.

Updated program

// Pin assignments

const int moisturePin = A0;

const int pumpPin = 2;

 

// Moisture level threshold for irrigation (adjustable by user)

int moistureThreshold = 500;

 

void setup() {

  // Initialize serial communication

Serial.begin(9600);

 

  // Set pump pin as output

pinMode(pumpPin, OUTPUT);

}

 

void loop() {

  // Read moisture level from analog pin

  int moistureLevel = analogRead(moisturePin);

 

  // Print moisture level to serial monitor

Serial.print("Moisture Level: ");

Serial.println(moistureLevel);

 

  // Check if moisture level is below the threshold

  if (moistureLevel<moistureThreshold) {

    // Turn on the pump

digitalWrite(pumpPin, HIGH);

Serial.println("Irrigation system activated.");

  } else {

    // Turn off the pump

digitalWrite(pumpPin, LOW);

Serial.println("Moisture level satisfactory.");

  }

 

  // Delay before next reading

delay(1000);

}

 

The above updated program enables the user to adjust the moisture threshold at 
which the irrigation system should be activated, this flexibility enables 
customization based on specific plants need, environmental conditions and 
personal preference.


          SENSOR INSTALLATION AND PLACEMENT

Placing sensors at multiple depths and locations in the field is a recommended practice for effective irrigation management. Here are the steps involved in the sensor placement,

  1. Sensor Placement:
    • Install sensors at multiple depths within the crop root zone (e.g., one-third and two-thirds depth) to monitor soil moisture at different levels.
    • Place sensors at two or more locations in the field to capture spatial variability in soil moisture.
    • Avoid high points, depressions, and slopes when selecting sensor locations to ensure representative measurements.

  2. Managing Different Soil Types:
    • In fields with varying soil textures, monitor and manage each soil type separately for irrigation.
    • Use field mapping technologies like electromagnetic conductivity (EM) mapping to identify and delineate different soil zones.
    • Create management zones based on soil type to implement tailored irrigation strategies for each zone.

  3. Benefits of Separate Soil Management:
    • Different soil types have varying water holding capacities, requiring customized irrigation approaches.
    • Separately managing soil types allows for precise irrigation matching the needs of each soil zone.
    • Optimized irrigation promotes water-use efficiency, reduces water wastage, and improves crop health and productivity.

  4. Considerations for Field Mapping:
    • Electromagnetic conductivity (EM) mapping is a useful tool to identify soil variability based on electrical conductivity measurements.
    • EM mapping helps identify areas with different soil textures and water-holding capacities, aiding in the creation of management zones.

                    
                                                                                                                                                   

Purchase Links to buy the hardware required (AMAZON) :

1. Arduino UNO - click here
2. Soil Moisture Sensor - click here
3. Electrical Switch - click here
4. 5V-DC Relay Module - click here 
5. Power supply cable - click here
6. Jumper cables -click here
7. 9V-HW Battery - click here
8. Motor Pump - click here                  



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