Intelligent Sensor for Irrigation Management via Peer-to-Peer Network
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation management systems face limitations due to costly architecture and limited scalability, as they require multiple communication paths and are constrained by the number of sensor data sources that can be managed by a central computer, and peer-to-peer networks are limited by the number of available sensor ports.
Innovation Solution
An intelligent sensor connected to a peer-to-peer distributed network that can transmit and receive data via a communication bus, allowing for broadcast messages with source and destination addresses, enabling efficient data sharing and remote monitoring/control, and an irrigation satellite field controller that requests and processes irrigation-related data from intelligent sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central-satellite system is used for irrigation management, then centralized control and data collection are achieved, but the system cost increases due to multiple communication paths and the number of sensor sources is limited by central computer connection capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the centralized control architecture into distributed satellite field controllers that can independently manage irrigation zones. Each satellite controller operates autonomously while maintaining communication with the central computer, reducing the burden on centralized communication paths and allowing unlimited sensor connections through distributed processing.
2Loss of information
If sensor data sources are connected to a central computer, then centralized data collection is achieved, but the number of sensor sources is limited by the number of connections the central computer can manage
Solution Approach 1:
Satellite field controllers serve as intermediary devices between sensor data sources and the central computer. These intermediaries collect and process data from multiple sensors locally, then communicate summarized information to the central computer, enabling the system to handle unlimited sensor sources without overwhelming the central system's communication capacity.
3Device complexity
If a peer-to-peer distributed network is used, then system cost is reduced and scalability is improved, but the number of sensor sources is limited by the number of available sensor ports on satellite controllers
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite field controller is designed as a universal device that can function both as a sensor port and as a data collection hub. It can directly connect to sensors through its analog input ports while also receiving data wirelessly from portable sensors via RF communication, effectively multiplying the number of sensor sources beyond the physical port limitations.
4Reliability
If multiple communication paths are created between central computer and satellite controllers, then reliable data transmission is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service communication where satellite field controllers autonomously manage their own data transmission to the central computer using wireless RF communication. This eliminates the need for complex wired communication infrastructure while maintaining reliable data transmission, as each satellite controller independently establishes and maintains its communication link.
Data Source
AI summary
An intelligent sensor includes an irrigation related data sensor for sensing irrigation related data and a network processor coupled to the irrigation related data sensor for receiving the irrigation data. The intelligent sensor also includes an interface coupled to the network processor for coupling the intelligent sensor to a communication bus of a peer-to-peer distributed network. The intelligent sensor also includes a memory including instructions for configuring the processor to generate a broadcast message including the irrigation related data. The interface transmits the broadcast message to a destination node coupled to the peer-to-peer distributed network via the communication bus. The destination node can be satellite field irrigation controllers or a control device.