Chapter No 3

PROPOSED SYSTEM

Home gardens play an important role and contribute significantly to giving an aesthetic and cultural
appearance to the home. Studies have proven that just looking at plants will improve heart activity, muscle
tension, blood pressure, and electrical brain activity. In addition, through colors and textures, a homeowner can
feel calm, happy and satisfied (Siswazah, 2012). Furthermore, plants have evolved to be a form of treatment
for the soul and body (Siswazah, 2012). One of the most important benefits of the home garden is increasing
income, if it is exploited in a perfect and correct way. It gives homeowners immediate access to fresh fruit and
vegetables, therefore, they do not need to visit a grocery store or farmers market to buy them. Water and
irrigation are vital factors for preserving the home garden’s success.
Currently, water availability and irrigation management are challenges in the agricultural sector,
especially in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is located in one of the driest and hottest regions in
the world. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia lacks permanent rivers and surface water. In addition, it suffers from
climatological conditions, which are not environmentally ideal for agriculture (Roy & Ansari, 2014). Thus, to
schedule irrigation properly, a homeowner must be aware of the environmental demands for surface water,
which causes watering losses and consumes a lot of time and effort when processed manually.
Irrigation has been defined as “replenishment of soil water storage in plant root zone through methods
other than natural precipitation” (Baig, et al., 2012). It began almost simultaneously in Egypt and
Mesopotamia using the Nile river and Tigris and Euphrates rivers (Alkolibi, 2002). Irrigation is important in
maintaining the landscape and reducing the effect of inadequate rainfall (Buechley & Hill, 2010). There are
two kinds of irrigation: manual and automatic. Manual irrigation refers to a system that has the ability to water
plants with human intervention and without technical equipment. Automatic irrigation is defined as a system
that has the ability to water plants without human intervention and with technical equipments, (Li, et al., 2015
Javed 2016., Chandak et al., 2017). The proposed smart irrigation system emphasizes a sophisticated data
processing and analysis framework. Advanced algorithms are employed to interpret the data collected by
sensors, enabling the system to derive actionable insights. By analyzing soil moisture levels, weather forecasts,
and temperature patterns, the system can dynamically determine optimal irrigation schedules. This intelligent
decision-making process aims to maximize water efficiency and, consequently, enhance crop yield while
minimizing resource wastage.

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 3.1 What does smart irrigation require ?

3.1.1 Soil moisture sensor

The soil moisture sensor is a device that directly measures whether the soil is dry. Generally, the probe is
inserted into the same depth as the root of the plant, and the measurement result is more accurate. Soil sensors
in different areas are used with the nearest soil controller. Control irrigation in different locations. The
management platform can set high and low alarm values for soil sensors in different regions. Once the soil
moisture exceeds the alarm value, the controller closes the water valve, and when the soil moisture falls below
the alarm value, the controller opens the water valve. According to different soil types, we can choose different
soil moisture sensors. Consumers only need to confirm system compatibility when purchasing sensors.

3.1.2 Humidity Sensor

The humidity sensor is a device that senses, measures, and reports the relative humidity (RH) of air or
determines the amount of water vapor present in gas mixture (air) or pure gas. Humidity sensing is related to a
water adsorption and desorption process. Humidity sensors are used for monitoring industrial as well
agricultural products . Humidity sensors are used in equipment such as incubators, sterilizers, and
pharmaceutical processing equipment .
Various types of humidity sensors are available, and these operate on different principles such as
capacitive, resistive, semiconductor , optical, and surface acoustic waves . Some advantages to capacitive
sensors include low power consumption, good linearity, and wide range RH detection, but a complicated
fabrication process is the major drawback . Resistive sensors overcome these problems with their ease of
fabrication, high sensitivity, low cost, and low power consumption. Metal oxide, polymers , and carbon-
based materials are the most frequently used materials for the fabrication of humidity sensors. These materials
have low cost and high sensitivity as well as good compatibility. But metal oxide sensors degrade in
humidity and polymers have poor stability in highly humid environments. Slow response/recovery time and
high operating temperatures remain design challenges for these sensors.

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3.2 How accurate is irrigation system?
The accuracy of a smart irrigation system can vary based on several factors, including the design of the
system, the quality of sensors and actuators used, and the effectiveness of the underlying algorithms.
Generally, smart irrigation systems leverage sensors to monitor environmental conditions such as soil
moisture, temperature, humidity, and weather forecasts. They use this data to optimize irrigation schedules and
water usage.
Here are some factors that can influence the accuracy of a smart irrigation system:
Sensor Accuracy: The precision and reliability of the sensors used to measure soil moisture and other
environmental parameters are crucial. High-quality sensors are more likely to provide accurate data, leading to
better irrigation decisions.
Data Processing and Algorithms: The algorithms used to interpret sensor data and make irrigation decisions
play a significant role. Advanced algorithms that take into account multiple factors, such as plant type, weather
forecasts, and historical data, can improve the accuracy of irrigation scheduling.
Integration with Weather Forecasts: Smart irrigation systems often rely on weather forecasts to anticipate
upcoming conditions. Integration with reliable and up-to-date weather data can enhance the accuracy of
irrigation predictions.
Adaptability and Learning: Some smart irrigation systems are designed to learn from historical data and
adjust their irrigation schedules over time. Systems with adaptive capabilities may become more accurate as
they continuously refine their algorithms based on real-world performance.
User Input and Calibration: Systems that allow users to provide feedback and calibrate settings based on
their observations can improve accuracy. Local conditions and specific user preferences may not always align
perfectly with default settings, so customization options are valuable.
Communication and Connectivity: The ability of the system to communicate with other devices, such as
weather stations or central control systems, can impact accuracy. Reliable connectivity ensures that the system
receives timely updates and can adjust irrigation plans accordingly.
It's important to note that no system is perfect, and environmental conditions can be complex and variable.
Even with a well-designed smart irrigation system, occasional manual adjustments or overrides may be
necessary. Regular maintenance, calibration, and updates to the system can also contribute to its long-term
accuracy and effectiveness. Overall, the accuracy of a smart irrigation system is influenced by a combination
of hardware quality, software algorithms, and user interaction.

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 3.2 Components of Smart irrigation system
3.1Relay Module
The relay module is an electrically operated switch that allows you to turn ON or OFF a circuit using voltage
and/or current much higher than a Microcontroller could handle. There is no connection between the low
voltage circuit operated by the Microcontroller and the high power circuit. The relay protects each circuit from
the other. Each channel in the module has three connections named NC, COM, and NO. Depending on the
input signal trigger mode, the jumper cap can be placed at high level effective mode which ‘closes’ the
normally open (NO) switch at high level input and at low level effective mode which operates the same but at
low level input.

3.1.1 Peristaltic Pump

A peristaltic pump is a type of positive displacement pump used for pumping a variety of fluids. The fluid is
contained within a flexible tube fitted inside a circular pump casing. It is reputed to pump water from a depth
of about 31 feet.

3.1.2 Arduino module

Arduino is an open source physical computing platform based on simple input/output board and a development
environment that implements the Processing language (www.processing.org). Arduino can be used to develop
standalone interactive objects or can be connected to software on your computer. The boards can be assembled
by hand or purchased preassembled; the open source IDE (Integrated Development Environment) can be
downloaded for free from www.arduino.cc. 3.1.1 Introduction to Arduino Boards Arduino is an architecture
that combines Atmel microcontroller family with standard hardware into a board with inbuilt bootloader for
plug and play embedded programming. Arduino Software comes with an IDE that heps writing debugging and
burning program into Arduino.

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3.4 Applications of smart irrigation system

Smart irrigation systems offer several applications across various sectors, providing efficient
water management and improved crop yields. Here are some key applications:

Agriculture:Precision Farming: Smart irrigation systems enable precise control over water
delivery based on real-time data from sensors, optimizing water usage and improving crop
yields.
Crop Monitoring: Sensors can monitor soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental
factors, allowing farmers to make data-driven decisions about irrigation scheduling and crop
health.
Water Conservation: By automating irrigation and adjusting schedules based on actual
conditions, smart systems help conserve water resources and reduce wastage.
Landscaping:Automated Lawn Care: Smart irrigation systems can be used in residential and
commercial landscaping to automatically water lawns and gardens based on specific needs,
leading to healthier and more vibrant landscapes.
Weather-Based Irrigation: Integration with weather forecasts allows the system to adjust
watering schedules according to upcoming weather conditions, preventing over-watering
during rainy periods.
Golf Courses and Sports Fields:
Turf Management: Smart irrigation systems are widely used in golf courses and sports fields
to maintain optimal turf conditions. They can be programmed to adapt to specific grass types
and environmental factors.
Public Spaces:Parks and Gardens: Municipalities and organizations managing public spaces
can use smart irrigation to maintain green spaces efficiently, conserving water resources and
reducing manual labor.
Residential Use:Home Gardens: Smart irrigation systems for home gardens provide
homeowners with automated watering schedules, helping to keep plants healthy while
conserving water.
Smart Sprinklers: Individualized control over sprinkler zones based on soil moisture levels
and weather forecasts allows for more efficient watering.
Commercial Agriculture:Large-Scale Farming: In larger agricultural operations, smart
irrigation systems can be deployed to manage irrigation across extensive fields, improving

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water use efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Viticulture:Precision Viticulture: Smart irrigation is used in vineyards to optimize water
delivery for grapevines, taking into account factors such as soil moisture, vine age, and
weather conditions.
Greenhouses:Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA): Smart irrigation systems in
greenhouses can be integrated with other environmental control systems to create an
optimized growing environment for crops.
Urban Farming:Vertical Farming and Rooftop Gardens: Smart irrigation is applied in urban
farming settings, where space is limited, to efficiently manage water resources and maximize
crop production.
Water Management in Remote Areas:Automated Wells and Pumps: In remote or arid regions,
smart irrigation systems can be integrated with automated well and pump systems to deliver
water to fields more efficiently.
Smart irrigation systems, by leveraging technology and data analytics, contribute to
sustainable agriculture, water conservation, and improved resource management in various
settings. Their applications extend beyond traditional farming to encompass diverse areas
where efficient water use is critical.
INTRODUCTION OF HARDWARES:
Arduino: Arduino is an open source physical computing platform based on simple input/output
board and a development environment that implements the Processing language
(www.processing.org). Arduino can be used to develop standalone interactive objects or can be
connected to software on your computer. The boards can be assembled by hand or purchased
preassembled; the open source IDE (Integrated Development Environment) can be downloaded for
free from www.arduino.cc. 3.1.1 Introduction to Arduino Boards Arduino is an architecture that
combines Atmel microcontroller family with standard hardware into a board with inbuilt bootloader
for plug and play embedded programming. Arduino Software comes with an IDE that helps writing,
debugging and burning program into
ESP8266:ESP8266 is a complete and self-contained Wi-Fi network solutions that can carry software
applications, or through another application processor uninstall all Wi-Fi networking capabilities.
ESP8266 when the device is mounted and as the only application of the application processor, the
flash memory can be started directly from an external Move. Built-in cache memory will help
improve system performance and reduce memory requirements. Another situation is when wireless
Internet access assume the task of Wi-Fi adapter, you can add it to any microcontroller-based design,
and the connection is simple, just by SPI / SDIO interface or central processor.

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SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING TOOLS
A program for Arduino may be written in any programming language with compilers that produce
binary machine code for the target processor. Atmel provides a development environment for their
microcontrollers, AVR Studio and the newer Atmel Studio. The Arduino project provides the Arduino
integrated development environment (IDE), which is a cross-platform application written in the
programming language Java. It originated from the IDE for the languages Processing and Wiring. It
includes a code editor with features such as text cutting and pasting, searching and replacing text,
automatic indenting, brace matching, and syntax highlighting, and provides simple one-click
mechanisms to compile and upload programs to an Arduino board. It also contains a message area, a
text console, a toolbar with buttons for common functions and a hierarchy of operation menus. A
program written with the IDE for Arduino is called a sketch. Sketches are saved on the development
computer as text files with the file extension .ino. Arduino Software (IDE) pre-1.0 saved sketches
with the extension .
The Arduino IDE supports the languages C and C++ using special rules of code structuring. The
Arduino IDE supplies a software library from the Wiring project, which provides many common input
and output procedures. User-written code only requires two basic functions, for starting the sketch and
the main program loop, that are compiled and linked with a program stub main() into an executable
cyclic executive program with the GNU toolchain, also included with the IDE distribution. The
Arduino IDE employs the program avrdude to convert the executable code into a text file in
hexadecimal encoding that is loaded into the Arduino board by a loader program in the board's
firmware. The open-source nature of the Arduino project has facilitated the publication of many free
software libraries that other developers use to augment their projects. Thingspeak According to its
developers, "ThingSpeak is an open source Internet of Things (IoT) application and API to store and
retrieve data from things using the HTTP protocol over the Internet or via a Local Area Network.
ThingSpeak enables the creation of sensor logging applications, location tracking applications, and a
social network of things with status updates". ThingSpeak was originally launched by ioBridge in
2010 as a service in support of IoT applications. ThingSpeak has integrated support from the
numerical computing software MATLAB from MathWorks, allowing ThingSpeak users to analyze
and visualize uploaded data using Matlab without requiring the purchase of a Matlab license from
Mathworks. ThingSpeak has a close relationship with Mathworks, Inc. In fact, all of the ThingSpeak
documentation is incorporated into the Mathworks' Matlab documentation site and even enabling
registered Mathworks user accounts as valid login credentials on the ThingSpeak website. The terms
of service and privacy policy of ThingSpeak.com are between the agreeing user and Mathworks, Inc.
ThingSpeak has been the subject of articles in specialized "Maker"