Design and integration of valves controller for drone monitored solar irrigation system

• Main Author: Muhammad Luqman Syakir Bin Rosli
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: Controller; Drone; Solar Irrigation

Irrigation is the most vital part in agriculture whether in small scale or large scale. Irrigation is one of the applications that consumes lots of water besides industrial purposes. There have been lots of research and development to optimized current irrigation system and various technologies have been implemented. The potential for solar irrigation system is potentially worthwhile and favorable to farmer especially in reducing carbon footprint and helping to maintain sustainability in terms of water used. The objective of this project is to help farmer manage their irrigation systems just using electronic devices to control valves and monitor whole crops zone using drone. A prototype that consists of crucial part such as microcontroller, solenoid valves and Bluetooth module as transmitter and receiver for drone was fabricated and tested to see the performance. Major outcome from this idea is that the crop which is lemon myrtle will receive real time monitoring and optimum supply of water. A proper monitoring can maintain the growth of the crops and boost the production of lemon myrtle. Furthermore, energy can be saved both for machinery and human because this system utilized solar power to run the system instead of conventional ways that use diesel generator and drone for monitoring whole crop zones. This study is important in optimizing the use of water supply during irrigation while the system is eco-friendly. Farmer no longer needs to walk through out the farm to monitor each of crops with the help of drone. In future, perhaps there will be more advanced microcontrollers that able to expand the radius for data transmission between user and microcontroller to operate the system. In addition, efficiency in water supply to crops can be increased so there will be no water loss in the piping system.