Pivot irrigation: wireless networking and remote sensor monitoring
Date
2009-11
Authors
Steele, Dan, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
As the automation of both private and corporate farms is embraced, the use of sophisticated pivot irrigation systems and smart agriculture practices is readily being adopted. Many new telemetry technologies are available today. It is common to have 100 percent communication to all farm pivot locations and see data throughput from pivot sites of 19.2 kbps up to 115.2 kbps. The latest telemetry trend is "wireless instrumentation" or the ability to control or monitor analog and digital signals without the constraints of wire. These signals may be used to communicate to and from the pivot to the farm to check moisture and temperature sensors, chemical soil samples, wind speed for the best time to water, the actual pivot location and pump power usage. This capability, together with Internet access, allows the entire pivot system to be viewed anytime via a smart telephone. The farm can remotely operate the pivot system, report and view status changes, and see the remote sensors' status. Until recently, all these field devices had to be hard-wired or use expensive cellular or satellite hardware. Now they can be done wirelessly utilizing spread spectrum 900MHz or 2.4GHz radios that have input and output control functions built right in. Some licensed VHF or UHF radio systems also offer IO options. This paper reviews the advantages of using non-fee-based wireless networking and remote monitoring to more affordably, effectively track and report on pivot irrigation farms. It offers examples with pros and cons between traditional and newer approaches.
Description
Presented at the fifth international conference on irrigation and drainage, Irrigation and drainage for food, energy and the environment on November 3-6, 2009 in Salt Lake City, Utah.