Low-power-consumption multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector
Through the time-sharing intelligent scheduling and network adaptive design of the low-power multi-interface farmland environmental data intelligent collector, the problems of high hardware complexity, high power consumption and insufficient monitoring accuracy of farmland environmental monitoring equipment are solved, and the long-term stable operation and efficient data transmission of the equipment in complex environments are realized.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202422908854.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-11-28
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-29
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-11-28
AI Technical Summary
The existing farmland environmental monitoring equipment has problems such as high hardware complexity, high power consumption and insufficient monitoring accuracy, which is difficult to meet the long-term and stable operation needs in complex farmland environments.
The intelligent collector of low-power multi-interface farmland environment data is adopted, and time-sharing intelligent scheduling is realized through the joint design of the microprocessing module and the power control module. Combined with the coordinated control of the clock module and the network module, the sensor operation status and network mode are dynamically adjusted, and power consumption and data transmission are optimized.
It significantly reduces system power consumption, extends equipment battery life, improves data acquisition accuracy and environmental adaptability, and ensures efficient and stable data transmission and monitoring in complex farmland environments.
Smart Images

Figure CN223284539U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of farmland environment monitoring equipment, in particular to a low-power consumption multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector. Background Art
[0002] Farmland environmental monitoring systems are a crucial component of precision agriculture. They provide scientific decision-making support for agricultural production by collecting key data such as soil, water, and weather data in real time. Typical farmland environmental monitoring equipment uses sensors to collect data, which is then processed and uploaded to a cloud platform. However, due to the complexity of farmland environments and the diversity of monitoring requirements, existing technologies face numerous challenges in long-term operation and efficient monitoring.
[0003] The core of traditional farmland monitoring systems is a universal data collector, which primarily collects environmental data through sensors and transmits this data to the cloud via network modules. These systems often rely on port expanders to connect various sensor types, such as meteorological, soil, and crop monitoring equipment. This architecture works by connecting the data collector to the expander via multiple bus interfaces, which in turn connect to the various sensors. However, existing technologies for achieving this functionality generally suffer from the following shortcomings:
[0004] 1. High hardware complexity and increased system costs: Traditional data collectors use port expanders to increase sensor compatibility, but expanders vary in model and are expensive, increasing hardware procurement costs. Furthermore, expander installation and configuration are complex and require high technical expertise, increasing system deployment and maintenance costs.
[0005] 2. High power consumption and insufficient battery life: Farmland monitoring systems are often located far from the power grid and rely on solar power. Due to the wide variety of connected sensors, the overall system power consumption is high. Especially during prolonged rainy weather, large-capacity batteries and solar panels are unable to meet operational requirements, and equipment often stops working due to insufficient power.
[0006] 3. Limited monitoring accuracy and efficiency: Traditional systems often rely on timed data collection or fixed-interval switching to control the operation of sensors and collectors. This extensive control model cannot adjust the collection frequency based on crop growth stages or weather changes, resulting in monitoring data quality that fails to meet the requirements of precision agriculture and wastes a significant amount of energy.
[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the industry has tried to optimize in the following ways: on the one hand, by adding more solar panels and large-capacity batteries to extend the battery life, but this method significantly increases the system cost and brings greater challenges to the installation and maintenance of the equipment; on the other hand, some devices reduce system power consumption through simple low-power management methods (such as directly shutting down non-critical modules), but this method is too simple and difficult to take into account the needs of different monitoring tasks. In addition, some systems in the industry have tried to improve data transmission efficiency, but failed to effectively combine it with power consumption optimization, and still could not achieve stable data transmission in complex farmland environments. However, although the above methods of the prior art have alleviated some problems to a certain extent, they have not fundamentally solved the problem from the system design level: the hardware structure is still complex, the power consumption control is still rough, and the data collection lacks flexibility, resulting in poor adaptability of the equipment in the farmland environment.
[0008] Therefore, how to reduce system power consumption, simplify hardware structure and improve data acquisition accuracy and environmental adaptability has become the technical problem to be solved by the present invention. Utility Model Content
[0009] The technical problem solved by the present invention is to provide a low-power multi-interface farmland environmental data intelligent collector to address the defects existing in the above-mentioned prior art, so as to solve the problems of high hardware complexity, high power consumption and insufficient monitoring accuracy raised in the above-mentioned background technology.
[0010] In order to solve the above technical problems, the technical solutions adopted by the present invention are as follows:
[0011] A low-power multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector, comprising a microprocessor module, a data acquisition module, a power control module, a clock module, a network module and a housing;
[0012] The microprocessor module is fixedly arranged in the housing and is used to control and manage the operation of the collector;
[0013] The data acquisition module is arranged in a position near the microprocessor module in the housing and is connected to the microprocessor module through a variety of bus interfaces, including but not limited to RS232 interface, RS485 interface, USB interface and network interface. The port of the bus interface extends to the outside of the housing for connecting to external sensors;
[0014] The power control module is arranged in a position adjacent to the data acquisition module in the housing and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module and the data acquisition module. The power control module includes a MOS transistor and a relay, wherein the first end of the MOS transistor is connected to the input end of the external sensor and the second end is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply. The relay is used to connect or disconnect the circuit of the external sensor under the control of the microprocessor module;
[0015] The clock module is arranged on one side of the microprocessor module and is electrically connected thereto for providing timing signal support;
[0016] The network module is arranged near the top of the housing and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module. The network module includes a wired network interface and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module includes a 4G or 5G communication unit.
[0017] A solar panel access port is provided on the top of the housing and is electrically connected to the power control module via a wire. A sensor interface area is provided on the side wall of the housing.
[0018] As a further solution of the present invention, the relay in the power control module is installed at the center of the power control module, and is connected to the external sensor and the data acquisition module through wires to realize the switching of the circuit between different working modes.
[0019] As a further solution of the present invention, the clock module is fixed to one side of the microprocessor module through a heat-conducting material to enhance the thermal stability of the module during operation.
[0020] As a further solution of the present invention, heat dissipation holes for dissipating heat inside the shell are evenly distributed on the bottom of the shell.
[0021] As a further solution of the present invention, the wireless communication module of the network module is provided with an antenna interface, and the antenna interface is located on one side of the housing.
[0022] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are:
[0023] 1. Time-sharing Intelligent Scheduling Achieves Global Power Consumption Optimization: Through the joint design of the microprocessor module and the power control module, "time-sharing intelligent scheduling" has been implemented for the first time in farmland environmental monitoring equipment. The microprocessor module analyzes the current operating status and external environment (such as weather conditions, remaining battery charge, and monitoring task priority) in real time, dynamically adjusting the operating status of sensors and functional modules and precisely controlling the power on / off timing. This integrated hardware and software low-power control solution not only solves the extensive control mode of traditional technologies that relies solely on switching at fixed time intervals, but also significantly improves energy efficiency, ensuring continuous operation of the equipment in prolonged rainy weather and significantly extending its battery life.
[0024] 2. Deep integration of intermittent sensor operation and clock optimization: Utilize the coordinated control of the clock module and the microprocessor module to intelligently plan the on and off time of the sensor, so that the intermittent operation is accurately matched with the actual observation needs. For example, the special requirements for monitoring frequency and accuracy in different crop growth stages or specific weather conditions can be effectively achieved through the combination of high-precision timing and dynamic power management. Unlike the simple low-power mode in the prior art, this application not only achieves significant energy-saving effects, but also ensures efficient monitoring of key time periods and parameters, avoids unnecessary work waste or omission of key data, and meets the actual needs of precision agriculture for "less input and more output".
[0025] 3. Full-scenario network adaptability in complex farmland environments: The network module of this application supports 4G / 5G wireless communications and wired networks, and innovatively combines power consumption optimization with network environment adaptation technology. In complex farmland environments, the device can dynamically switch network modes based on signal strength, power conditions, and data transmission requirements. For example, when the signal is poor, switch to low-bandwidth mode to reduce power consumption; enable 5G transmission in a short period of time with high bandwidth requirements to ensure fast data upload. This technology breaks through the limitations of a single network mode in traditional devices, and can achieve efficient and stable data transmission even in complex scenarios, improving the flexibility and reliability of the device.
[0026] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description and will become apparent from the following description or learned through practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.
[0028] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the system architecture of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without making creative efforts are within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0030] See also Figure 1In an embodiment of the utility model, a low-power multi-interface intelligent collector of farmland environmental data includes a microprocessor module, a data acquisition module, a power control module, a clock module, a network module, and a housing; the microprocessor module is fixedly arranged in the housing for controlling and managing the operation of the collector; the data acquisition module is arranged in a position near the microprocessor module in the housing and is connected to the microprocessor module through a variety of bus interfaces, including but not limited to RS232 interface, RS485 interface, USB interface, and network port, and the port of the bus interface extends to the outside of the housing for connecting to external sensors;
[0031] The power control module is arranged in a position adjacent to the data acquisition module in the housing and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module and the data acquisition module. The power control module includes a MOS transistor and a relay, wherein the first end of the MOS transistor is connected to the input end of the external sensor and the second end is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply. The relay is used to connect or disconnect the circuit of the external sensor under the control of the microprocessor module;
[0032] The clock module is arranged on one side of the microprocessor module and is electrically connected to it to provide timing signal support; the network module is arranged near the top of the shell and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module. The network module includes a wired network interface and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module includes a 4G or 5G communication unit; a solar panel access port is provided on the top of the shell and is electrically connected to the power control module through a wire. A sensor interface area is provided on the side wall of the shell.
[0033] like Figure 1 Figure 2 illustrates the overall architecture and workflow of an intelligent data collector. The intelligent data collector includes a microprocessor module, a data collection module, a power control module, a clock module, a network module, and interfaces with sensors and a cloud platform. Multiple external sensors connect to the data collection module via their respective bus interfaces (such as RS232, RS485, or USB), which acquire real-time data from each sensor. The power control module intelligently manages the power supply to the sensors and data collector, and in conjunction with the microprocessor module, implements intermittent power supply, thereby reducing overall power consumption. The microprocessor module, as the core unit, is responsible for data collection, processing, and low-power device control. It uses a time base provided by a high-precision clock module to achieve precise timing and data synchronization. The network module supports wired or wireless communication and uploads processed data to a cloud platform for remote monitoring and analysis. The modular design of the entire architecture enables efficient data collection, energy optimization, and environmental adaptability, making it particularly suitable for long-term monitoring applications in complex environments such as farmland.
[0034] The relay in the power control module is installed at the center of the power control module, and is connected to the external sensor and data acquisition module through wires to realize the switching of the circuit between different working modes; the clock module is fixed to one side of the microprocessor module through heat-conductive material to enhance the thermal stability of the module during operation; the bottom of the shell is evenly distributed with heat dissipation holes for heat dissipation inside the shell; the wireless communication module of the network module is provided with an antenna interface, and the antenna interface is located on one side of the shell.
[0035] Example 1:
[0036] This embodiment provides an application scenario and specific implementation for a low-power, multi-interface intelligent farmland environmental data collector. For example, in a typical farmland environment, to achieve real-time monitoring of crop growth, soil conditions, and meteorological changes, multiple types of sensors are required. These include meteorological sensors for monitoring temperature, humidity, and wind speed; soil sensors for monitoring soil moisture and temperature; and canopy temperature sensors for monitoring crop growth. These sensors connect to the collector via a bus interface (such as RS232, RS485, USB, or Ethernet). The collector processes the data and transmits it to a cloud platform to support agricultural production decision-making.
[0037] Traditional data collection equipment in this scenario has problems such as high power consumption, complex hardware, and insufficient monitoring accuracy, making it difficult to meet the needs of long-term stable operation in farmland environments. The intelligent data collector of this utility model solves these problems in the following ways:
[0038] First, the collector's microprocessor module serves as the control center, working in conjunction with the data acquisition module, power control module, clock module, and network module. Specifically, once sensors are connected to the collector via a bus interface, the microprocessor dynamically manages the sensor's operating status based on environmental conditions and monitoring requirements. For example, on sunny days with ample solar energy, the collector can collect meteorological data at a high frequency. On rainy days, however, when battery energy is insufficient, the collector switches to low-power mode via the power control module, retaining only intermittent data collection from critical sensors (such as the soil moisture sensor). This demand-based, time-sharing intelligent scheduling mechanism effectively optimizes system power consumption and ensures continuous operation even in prolonged rainy weather.
[0039] Secondly, the power control module's design fully considers the different power consumption requirements of sensors and internal functional modules. The module incorporates a MOSFET and relay. The first end of the MOSFET connects to the external sensor input, and the second end connects to the positive power supply. The relay, under the control of the microprocessor, connects and disconnects the sensor circuit. For example, when monitoring the impact of short periods of rainfall on crops, the microprocessor activates the rainfall sensor and provides stable power via the relay, while other non-critical sensors remain inactive. This design not only avoids unnecessary power consumption but also improves the flexibility and reliability of sensor power management.
[0040] To further enhance monitoring accuracy, the present invention optimizes the timing of intermittent sensor operation through the coordinated control of a clock module and a microprocessor module. The clock module provides a precise time reference, ensuring that the sensor activates at the optimal time period. For example, when close monitoring of canopy temperature and photosynthesis parameters is required during the flowering stage of a crop, the collector can use the clock module to set a high-frequency monitoring schedule, while reducing the monitoring frequency during other growth stages. This dynamic regulation based on time requirements not only ensures the integrity and accuracy of critical data, but also avoids energy waste caused by overly frequent sensor operation.
[0041] Regarding data transmission, the collector's network module supports both 4G / 5G wireless and wired network modes, and features dynamic adaptive capabilities. For example, when the collector is in a remote area with weak signals, the network module automatically switches to low-bandwidth mode, transmitting only critical data. When the device is in an area with strong signals, it quickly uploads all data using 5G high-bandwidth mode. This flexible network switching mechanism not only reduces communication power consumption but also ensures stable data transmission, enabling efficient operation even in complex farmland environments.
[0042] Example 2:
[0043] In a modern agricultural production area dominated by field cultivation, accurate monitoring of crop growth and environmental conditions is crucial. To achieve efficient management, the area requires real-time monitoring of multiple environmental parameters, including temperature, humidity, precipitation, soil temperature and humidity, wind speed and direction, and more. Traditional farmland monitoring equipment, due to its requirement for port expanders, is complex and energy-intensive, failing to meet the requirements for low-cost, long-term monitoring. This embodiment, based on the low-power, multi-interface intelligent farmland environmental data collector of this utility model, achieves significant technical advantages.
[0044] In this area, a data collector is installed in the center of the field, powered by a solar power module. Different sensors, such as intelligent temperature meters, soil moisture profilers, and ultrasonic anemometers, connect directly to the collector's bus interface, eliminating the need for a port expander. The collector's microprocessor analyzes the sensor data in real time and uploads it to the agricultural data cloud platform via a network module for management to review and analyze.
[0045] The core advantage of the data collector lies in its low power design and time-sharing intelligent scheduling capabilities. Prolonged periods of rainy weather in the region often cause traditional equipment to run out of power and shut down. In this embodiment, the microprocessor module, combined with the power control module, dynamically analyzes the importance of sensors and remaining battery power, prioritizing the activation of soil moisture and rainfall sensors while disabling temporarily unnecessary sensors such as wind speed and direction. This intermittent operation mode not only ensures the continuity of critical data but also minimizes energy consumption, significantly extending the device's battery life in energy-starved conditions.
[0046] Furthermore, the clock module within the data collector provides a precise time reference, enabling the sensor to collect data more frequently during critical stages of crop growth. For example, during fertilization and irrigation, the system monitors soil moisture changes hourly, while reducing this frequency to daily during crop maturity. Through this intelligent scheduling, the data collector optimizes data collection efficiency while avoiding energy waste.
[0047] The flexibility of the network module also demonstrates a significant technical advantage. Due to the complex terrain of this agricultural region, where network signals fluctuate, the collector's network module automatically switches network modes. When the signal is strong, high-bandwidth data is transmitted via the 5G network. When the signal is weak, the module switches to low-bandwidth mode, uploading only critical monitoring data. This design ensures stable data transmission, allowing managers to access important data in real time, even in remote areas.
[0048] During operation, the collector's housing design further enhances the device's environmental adaptability. A solar access port on the top of the housing and a modular internal layout optimize heat dissipation, ensuring stable operation even in high summer temperatures. The housing's waterproof material protects the device from moisture during rainy seasons, and the solar access port can be sealed with a sealing plug when not in use. These are all extended implementations known to those skilled in the art.
[0049] This embodiment was successfully applied in complex farmland environments, achieving the following significant results: simplified sensor wiring and equipment configuration processes; significantly reduced power consumption through time-sharing intelligent scheduling; improved monitoring data quality by precisely adjusting the sensor operating frequency; network adaptive design ensured data transmission stability; and modular structure and optimized heat dissipation design enhanced the equipment's environmental adaptability.
[0050] In the present invention, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, terms such as "installation", "setting", "connection", "fixation", and "screw-on" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connections, detachable connections, or integration; mechanical connections or electrical connections; direct connections or indirect connections through an intermediate medium; internal connections between two elements or interaction between two elements. Unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, ordinary technicians in this field can understand the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention according to specific circumstances.
[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered in all respects as illustrative and non-restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description, and it is intended that all variations that come within the meaning and range of equivalents of the claims be embraced within the present invention.
Claims
1. A low-power, multi-interface intelligent farmland environmental data collector, comprising a microprocessor module, a data acquisition module, a power control module, a clock module, a network module, and a housing, characterized by: The microprocessor module is fixedly arranged in the housing and is used to control and manage the operation of the collector; The data acquisition module is arranged in a position near the microprocessor module in the housing and is connected to the microprocessor module through a variety of bus interfaces, including but not limited to RS232 interface, RS485 interface, USB interface and network interface. The port of the bus interface extends to the outside of the housing for connecting to external sensors; The power control module is arranged in a position adjacent to the data acquisition module in the housing and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module and the data acquisition module. The power control module includes a MOS transistor and a relay, wherein the first end of the MOS transistor is connected to the input end of the external sensor and the second end is connected to the positive electrode of the power supply. The relay is used to connect or disconnect the circuit of the external sensor under the control of the microprocessor module; The clock module is arranged on one side of the microprocessor module and is electrically connected thereto for providing timing signal support; The network module is arranged near the top of the housing and is electrically connected to the microprocessor module. The network module includes a wired network interface and a wireless communication module. The wireless communication module includes a 4G or 5G communication unit. A solar panel access port is provided on the top of the housing and is electrically connected to the power control module via a wire. A sensor interface area is provided on the side wall of the housing.
2. The low-power multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The relay in the power control module is installed in the center of the power control module and is connected to the external sensor and data acquisition module through wires to realize the switching of the circuit between different working modes.
3. The low-power multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The clock module is fixed to one side of the microprocessor module through heat conductive material to enhance the thermal stability of the module during operation.
4. The low-power multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bottom of the shell is evenly distributed with heat dissipation holes for dissipating heat inside the shell.
5. The low-power multi-interface farmland environment data intelligent collector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wireless communication module of the network module is provided with an antenna interface, and the antenna interface is located on one side of the shell.