Modular Sensor Arrangement for Controlled Agriculture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current controlled environment agriculture (CEA) systems face challenges due to the complexity, cost, and lack of adaptability of existing sensor arrangements, which struggle to effectively manage varying conditions within a single installation, leading to suboptimal yield and revenue optimization.
Innovation Solution
A modular sensor arrangement with separate modules for plant stem and root zones, equipped with sensors to monitor specific parameters, and a communication system allowing one module to act as a gateway for the group, enabling efficient data collection and management across different CEA environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing sensor arrangements are used in CEA systems, then data collection capability is provided, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor arrangement is divided into separate modules, each dedicated to monitoring specific plant zones (e.g., root zone, stem zone, canopy zone). This segmentation allows the system to collect comprehensive data while maintaining modularity, reducing overall system complexity, and enabling selective deployment based on specific CEA needs.
2Reliability
If existing sensor arrangements are used in CEA systems, then data collection is enabled, but adaptability to different CEA installations is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The modular architecture allows different combinations of sensor modules to be deployed depending on the specific CEA installation requirements, whether for greenhouses, polytunnels, or controlled environment rooms, enhancing adaptability across diverse settings.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor modules are designed with universal communication protocols and standardized interfaces, enabling the same modular components to function across various CEA installation types and configurations, thereby improving versatility without requiring installation-specific customizations.
3Reliability
If existing sensor arrangements are used in CEA systems, then monitoring is provided, but cost effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the sensor arrangement into standardized modules, manufacturing costs are reduced through economies of scale and simplified production processes. Each module can be manufactured independently and assembled as needed, improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining comprehensive monitoring capabilities.
4Reliability
If existing sensor arrangements are used in CEA systems, then data collection is achieved, but ability to cope with varying conditions within single installation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different sensor modules are positioned to monitor specific micro-environments within the CEA installation (e.g., root zone moisture, canopy temperature, stem humidity). This segmented approach enables the system to capture spatial variations in conditions across different plant zones, improving the ability to cope with and respond to varying local conditions within a single installation.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a sensor arrangement for a controlled agriculture environment for growing plants. The sensor arrangement comprises a modular housing having first and second modules that are releasably coupled to one another. The first module is associated with a plant stem zone and has at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with the plant stem zone conditions. The second is associated with a plant root zone and has at least one sensor configured to sense a parameter associated with the plant root zone conditions. The disclosure further relates to a controlled environment agriculture system comprising a plurality of such sensor arrangements that are connected to a management system.