MAE: 494
GROUP 11
Functions
-Accurately monitor soil moisture levels utilizing multiple moisture sensors.
-Process information gathered by the sensors and translates it to useful signal for the water diverter.
-Ability to divert water flow to the designated section, and stop water flow to the other sections.
Physical Characteristics
-Area of fertile land: 2m x 2m
-Maximum gradient of land: ±10°
-Maximum elevation: 2,000 feet above sea level
Environmental Characteristics
-Temperature range: 32° - 90°F (varies for seasonal applications)
-Sunlight exposure : At least 7 hours per day
-Air C level: 300 ppm
-Annual rainfall: 30.12 inches
Energy Properties
-Standard wall outlet: 110v, 60 Hz, single phase.
-USB: 5 volt, 0.5 amp
-Battery: 9V Standard Battery
Garden Hose Properties
-Hose Length: 25 ft.
-Flow rate: 24 gpm
-Pressure: 40 psi
Data Properties
-Wireless: 802.11 Wi-Fi
-RFID: 20 ft. range
-PC: Windows 10 running Arduino Software
-Raspberry pi micro controller, 1 GB storage
-Soil sensor: 3 prong analog voltage signal with range of 0-3.6 volts
Performance Requirements
-Provide water to 2m x 2m area of land.
-Evenly distribute water in designated section
-Maintain a water retention of 6.67 gallons of per 1 (approx. 20% by volume water for a given unit of soil)
-Operate continuously without user input after initial setup
-Withstand outdoor conditions without wearing or interruption in function
-Ping sensors once every hour to update readings on soil moisture content
-Micro controller can run program continuously during use
-Calibrated sensors have a (vol/vol) ratio reading of the soil water content of .001
-Sensors: .4 Watts
-Diverter motor: 3.3V DC to achieve actuation
-Raspberry Pi: 1.2 Watts
-Be able to index to a designated section in 5 sec
-When no section is receiving water, create a watertight seal to limit water waste runoff
Tabulated Specs
The main idea of this project is to design an efficient closed loop irrigation system. The system should be user friendly and efficient in both water and energy consumption. The system will be used mostly for outdoor applications in climates where crops are viable. Due to the relatively small size of this design it may also be implemented into indoor gardens and greenhouses. This design may be required to be operated year round in which case the system will be subjected to varying climates as the season’s progress. As seen in the tabulated specs the system has some guide lines to work within. Some of the guide line listed are to ensure it does not have failure, specs such as sunlight exposure and water pressure of the system apply to this. Other specs focus on it being efficient such as water retention and sensor calibration. The proposed system has little manufacturing constraints because most of the parts are already made, such as PVC piping which is very easy to assemble. The only custom part is a simple modular box that hold the water to be dispersed and the programed circuit boards. Overall the system is well designed and will be simplistic for the consumer to set up.