Wireless Irrigation Control Using Dynamic Soil Moisture Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional irrigation control systems are inefficient as they do not account for soil moisture content, leading to water wastage, and are prone to damage due to hard-wired connections, making them costly and difficult to install and maintain, especially for large areas.
Innovation Solution
A wireless irrigation control system that uses soil moisture sensors to dynamically control irrigation events based on real-time soil moisture data, with rechargeable power sources and GPS technology for accurate synchronization and location tracking, allowing for efficient water management and reduced installation costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hard-wired irrigation control systems are used, then system reliability is maintained through stable connections, but installation cost and complexity increase due to extensive wiring requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. Sensors and control modules communicate irrigation data and commands wirelessly, eliminating the need for extensive physical wiring while maintaining system reliability through robust wireless protocols and data transmission.
2Measurement precision
If wired soil moisture sensors are deployed across large irrigation areas, then measurement precision is achieved, but installation cost and difficulty increase exponentially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces wired sensor connections with wireless communication technology. Soil moisture sensors transmit data wirelessly to the central control module, enabling easy deployment across large irrigation areas without the need for burying and connecting extensive wiring infrastructure.
3Area of stationary object
If conventional wired systems are used to cover large irrigation areas, then complete area coverage is achieved, but installation cost and maintenance difficulty increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses wireless communication to replace the mechanical wiring system, allowing sensors and control modules to be distributed across large irrigation areas without requiring extensive physical infrastructure. This enables complete area coverage while keeping installation and maintenance costs manageable.
4Manufacturing precision
If soil moisture sensors transmit data continuously at high rate, then irrigation control precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic data transmission rates based on irrigation needs. Sensors transmit soil moisture data at higher rates during active irrigation events when precise control is needed, and at lower rates during non-irrigation periods, optimizing the balance between control precision and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the data transmission parameter (sampling rate) based on operational conditions. During irrigation events, the transmission rate increases to provide real-time feedback for precise water application. Between events, the rate decreases to conserve battery power in wireless sensors.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are various embodiments of an apparatus, system, and method for controlling the irrigation of an area. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one sensor module that is configured to detect the soil moisture content of soil in an irrigation area. The sensor module is further configured to determine a rate of change of the soil moisture content based on the detected soil moisture content. A rate at which the sensor module detects the soil moisture content of the soil is based on the determined rate of change of the soil moisture content. The apparatus also includes a central control module that is configured to execute an irrigation event for an irrigation area if the detected soil moisture content reaches a moisture content lower threshold. The central control module also is configured to terminate the irrigation event for the irrigation area if the detected soil moisture content reaches a moisture content upper threshold.