Estratégia de monitoramento e automação em sistemas de irrigação utilizando dispositivos de comunicação em redes de sensores sem fio

Abstract

The goal of this study was to develop strategies for monitoring and automated irrigation systems using FDR capacitance sensors to collect data of water content in the soil through Wireless Sensor Network (WSN). The FDR capacitance sensors were developed in the Department of Agricultural Engineering (DENA) pertain UFC. Were used 14 FDR capacitance sensors and one of them went through a calibration process in the laboratory, witch was superimposed a 100-watt bulb in the soil sample undeformed to accelerate the drying soil. At the end of the calibration we obtained an equation potential model. The WSN is formed sensors nodes can communicate with each other by radio frequency having a communication end point (base station). The WSN system consisted of 9 sensors modules and a master module connected to the PC. Each sensor module consists of the following elements: 2.4 GHz transceiver TRF of company Laipac (maximum range 150 m), memory, processor, 12-volt battery and two FDR capacitance sensors. The WSN was installed in a field of maize crop in an advanced stage of production (30 DAS). The FDR capacitance sensors were installed at two depths: 10 cm and 25 cm. The data from the sensor modules were transmitted to the master module through the 2 modules multihops. The responses of the FDR capacitance sensors were collected every day at the morning and afternoon, and the time of irrigation was determined based on the calibration equation. The responses of the FDR capacitance sensors obtained by WSN were collected before and after irrigation and the experiment lasted 15 days. We performed a validation of the field calibration relating the responses of the FDR capacitance sensors in real time with the water content by gravimetric method. The WSN enabled FDR capacitance sensors recorded the variation of water content during the events of rainfall and irrigation. The communications of sensors modules have been successful, despite the height of plants and occurrences of rainfall have impeded some transmissions. The equation obtained in laboratory underestimated the true values water content obtained by the direct method, due to the temperature that the light bulb emitted on the soil sample during the calibration process. The battery of the sensor modules was the most limiting factor and requires adjustment in the communication protocol of WSN to optimize consumption. The WSN was dynamic and accurate and may, in partnership with FDR capacitance sensors, help researchers and producers in decision-making irrigation.