Design and Fabrication of a Greenhouse Monitoring and Control System Based on Global System for Mobile Communication and Bluetooth
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Date
2020
Authors
Nyaga, Stephen Gitonga
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Greenhouse technology should be embraced as a way of minimizing food insecurity in
Kenya. The insecurity is brought about by climate uncertainties. Greenhouses have
attempted to solve this problem by enclosing crops in a climatically controlled
environment. Each greenhouse has distinct parameters. Data on these parameters need
to be collected at regular intervals. Depending on the type of crop, these parameters
need to be controlled within the specified limits to achieve the maximum efficiency and
yields. In the past, greenhouses utilized electromechanical devices such as thermostats
to monitor and control the environment. Mechanical systems lack the flexibility and
precision required for greenhouse control. Some modern greenhouses use computers to
control the environment. Computers based controllers are station based, bulky and
costly. In this study a wireless prototype greenhouse monitoring and control system that
is flexible, cheap, easy to maintain and easy to assemble was developed and
implemented. The general objective of this research work was to design, fabricate and
implement a microcontroller-based prototype to monitor and control greenhouse
parameters using sensors, SMS technology and Bluetooth signals. The hardware
consisted of ATmega328 microcontroller, Global System for Mobile communication
(GSM) SIM800L module, HC05 Bluetooth module, HD44780U Liquid Crystal Display
(LCD) module, 5 volt 4 channel relay module, Light dependent resistor (LDR) sensor
and digital humidity and temperature (DHT11) sensor. The LDR sensor was utilized to
measure light intensity while the DHT11 sensor was utilized to measure humidity and
temperature levels in the prototype greenhouse. The DHT11 and LDR sensors, the
relay, the LCD, the GSM and the Bluetooth modules were interfaced to the ATmega328
microcontroller. Through Arduino software, a program was written in C language,
developed and uploaded to the ATmega328 microcontroller to run the greenhouse
prototype. The program is designed to operate in automatic or manual mode. In
automatic mode, the microcontroller constantly monitors the digitized values from the
sensors and compares them with the optimized values and checks if any control
procedures needs to be taken. In manual mode, the system could be operated wirelessly
by use of GSM or Bluetooth module. The designed prototype greenhouse system is able
to measure temperature, humidity and illuminance levels in the prototype greenhouse
and display the values on the LCD. The system transmits the sensor measured values
to owner’s phone via Bluetooth or a GSM and keeps these parameters at optimum levels
by use of two fans, heater, bulb and a sprinkler. The GSM module is used for remotely
monitoring and controlling the devices via a smart phone by sending and receiving
Short Messaging Service via GSM network. If the user is in the vicinity of the
prototype, the Bluetooth and a software installed in the smart phone provides a wireless
link between the prototype and the cell phone. This project therefore provides a cost
effective and efficient means of monitoring and controlling greenhouse parameters. In
addition the system allows mobility during monitoring and control process. The
reliability of the designed system can be exploited to build a network of such
monitoring and control systems for several greenhouses. A website can be incorporated
in the designed system to monitor the actual greenhouse values and save the data in an
online database for future reference. The designed prototype greenhouse can be applied
in the agricultural sector in the design and implementation of greenhouses.
Description
A Thesis Submitted In Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Masters of
Science (Electronics and Instrumentation) in the School
of Pure and Applied Sciences of Kenyatta University
Keywords
Greenhouse Monitoring, Mobile Communication, Kenya