All about sensors for agriculture and water

1. SENSORS FOR AGRICULTURE AND WATER
Dr. N. Sai Bhaskar Reddy
saibhaskarnakka@gmail.com
Lecture at Engineering Staff College of India, Hyderabad on 24th
May 2016

2. Water Use Efficiency
CANAL
MONITORING
MANUAL - DATA
COLLECTION
AUTOMATION - SENSORS
MANAGEMENT
MANUAL - SCHEDULE
AUTOMATION - CANAL
AUTOMATION
DECISION SUPPORT
SYSTEMS
ON-FARM
MONITORING
MANUAL - DATA COLLECTION
AUTOMATION - SENSORS
MANAGEMENT
MANUAL - SCHEDULE
AUTOMATION - CANAL
AUTOMATION
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS

3. Challenges in collecting data
The first problem primarily has to do with entering data manually, while
the second problem is caused by different colleagues in the field taking
measurements in different ways
People can cheat by sending information without being in the field based
on their experience / guess.

4. IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
Irrigation scheduling is the process used
by irrigation system managers to determine the correct
frequency and duration of watering.
Effective irrigation is possible only with regular monitoring
of soil water and crop development conditions in the
field, and with the forecasting of future crop water needs.

5. An optimum irrigation schedule maximizes
profit and optimizes water and energy use.
Only 40%- 60% of the water is effectively used
by the crop.
With increasing scarcity and growing
competition for water, judicious use of water
in agricultural sector will be necessary.

6. There are two situations farmers are
frequently faced
1. Under-irrigation (Where a limited
quantity of water is available).
2. Over-irrigation( more than required
water is available).

7. NEED FOR IRRIGATION SCHEDULING
Proper timing of irrigation water applications is a
crucial decision for a farm manager to:
meet the water needs of the crop to prevent yield
loss due to water stress;
maximize the irrigation water use efficiency resulting
in beneficial use;
conservation of the local water resources;
minimize the leaching potential of nitrates and
certain pesticides that may impact the quality of
the groundwater.

8. OBJECTIVES
Maximum yield/biomass production.
Maximum economic return.
• Water conservation.
• Reduced nutrient leaching.
• Increase the water application efficiency.

9. CANAL PARTICULARS
1 2
3
4
Demolished water pipe line Sluice wall damage and soil
being eroded
Culvert
damage
Sluice walls
damage,causing
water leakage

10. IRRIGATION SCHEDULING PRACTICE
 Water requirement of rice crop at different growth stages
Stages of growth Avg. water requirement
(mm)
% of total water
requirement (approx.)
Nursery 50-60 5
Main field preparation 200-250 20
Planting to Panicle initiation (PI) 400-550 40
P.I to flowering 400-450 30
flowering to maturity 100-150 5
Total 1200-1460 100.0
• Moisture stress at active tillering phase - 30% yield reduction.
• Moisture stress at reproductive phase - 50 - 60% yield reduction

11. Advantages Of Irrigation Scheduling
 It enables the farmer to schedule water rotation among the various
fields
 It reduces the farmer's cost of water and labor through fewer
irrigations, thereby making maximum use of soil moisture storage.
 Lowers fertilizer costs
 Increases net returns
 Minimizes water-logging problems
 Assists in controlling root zone salinity problems through controlled
leaching.
 It results in additional returns by using the "saved" water to irrigate
non-cash Crops that otherwise would not be irrigated during water-
short periods

12. Smart irrigation technologies

13. Existing Irrigation
Technology
Smart Irrigation Control Technology
This system is based on
fixed schedule and the
controller executes the same
schedule regardless of the
season or weather
conditions.
water is wasted.
Don’t consider the plant
productivity which is not
based on efficient irrigation.
Existing technology these
kinds of facilities are not
easily available
This system is based on everyday climate
criterion and actual water need of
plant.
little chance of water wastage.
Consider all the aspects of plants related
to water irrigation. It is based on efficient
irrigation.
Can be controlled manually or
automatically without physical presence at
the system or field

14. In order to achieve the above objectives the following is the on of the
basic recommendations
 smart irrigation controllers
smart irrigation controller is a device that gives your plants the right
amount of water for the time of year, climate and weather.
Smart irrigation controllers are again two types.
1. Sensor Based Controllers
2. Signal Based Controllers
Sensor Based Controllers:
uses real-time measurements of one or more locally measured factors
to adjust irrigation timing.
example: temperature, rainfall, humidity, solar radiation, and soil
moisture.

15. RAIN SENSOR
A rain sensor or rain switch is a switching device activated by rainfall.
Rain sensors for irrigation systems are available in
 Wire less
 hard-wired versions,

16. INFORMATION VISUALISATION

17. HIERARCHY

18. Flow chart of digitalizing process

19. FARMER
DATE:DD/MM/YYYY
TIME: --:--
RAINFALL: Y/N
TEMPERATURE: --
T
T- Time of receiving water to his field,
--:--
Since most of them are using basic cell
phones, color depiction cannot be
adopted.
Also additional information may
confuse them since they are unaware
of the system

20. BASIC COLOR LAYOUT

21. MODULES for locating sensors

22. Displaying water level
0
50
100

23. Details of rainfall

24. -Details of temperature

25. What is water use efficiency (WUE)?
The yield of marketable crop produced per unit of water used in
evapotranspiration .
WUE=Y/ET where
WUE = water use efficiency (kg/ha mm of water)
Y =The marketable yield (kg/ha)
ET = Evapotranspiration (mm)
Factors affecting WUE
Nature of the plant
Climatic conditions
Soil moisture content
Fertilizers and plant population

26. Virtual water
Water embedded in commodities
Commodity Virtual water in liters
One cup of coffee 140
One liter of milk 800
One kg maize 900
One kg of wheat 1100
One kg of rice 3000
One kg of sugar 3200
One kg of chicken 6000
One kg of beef 16000
Virtual water of some important commodities

27. 27
27
Crop WUE (Kg/ha-mm)
Rice 3.0
Jowar 9.0
Bajra 8.0
Maize 8.0
Finger
millet
13.4
Groundnut 9.2
WUE in different crops Kg/ha-mm
Yellamanda Reddy & Sankara Reddy (1995)

28. 28
Crop Water requirements (mm)
Rice 900-2500
Wheat 450-650
Sorghum 450-650
Maize 500-800
Sugarcane 1500-2500
Sugarbeet 550-750
Groundnut 500-700
Cotton 700-1300
Soybean 450-700
Tobacco 400-600
Water requirement (mm) of different crops

29. Crop Water requirements (mm)
Tomato 600-800
Potato 500-700
Pea 350-500
Onion 350-550
Bean 300-500
Cabbage 380-500
Banana 1200-220
Citrus 900-1200
Grape 500-1200
Pineapple 700-1000

30. Periods sensitive to water shortages
Crop Sensitive period
Alfalfa Just after cutting
Alfalfa
(for seed prod.)
Flowering
Banana Through out
Bean Flowering and pod filling
Cabbage Head enlargement and ripening
Citrus Flowering and fruit setting more
than fruit enlargement
Cotton Flowering and boll formation
Contd…

31. Crop Sensitive period
Grape Vegetative period and flowering
more than fruit filling
Groundnut Flowering and pod setting
Maize Flowering and grain filling
Olive Just prior to flowering and yield
formation
Onion Bulb enlargement
Onion
( for seed Prod.)
Flowering
Contd…

32. Contd…
Crop Sensitive period
Pea / fresh Flowering and yield formation
Pea /dry Ripening
Pepper Through out
Pineapple Vegetative period
Potato Stolonisation and tuber initiation
Rice Head development and flowering
Sorghum Flowering and yield formation
Soybean Flowering and yield formation

33. Crop Sensitive period
Sugar beet First month after emergence
Sugarcane Vegetative period
(tillering and stem elongation)
Sunflower Flowering more than yield formation
Tobacco Period of rapid growth
Tomato Flowering more than yield formation
Water melon Flowering and fruit filling
Wheat Flowering more than yield formation

34. Sensitivity of various field crops
to water shortages
Sensitivity Low Low –medium Medium- High High
Crops Cassava Alfalfa Beans Banana
Cotton Citrus Cabbage Fresh green
Millet Grape Maize Vegetables
Pigeonpea Groundnuts Onion Paddy
Sorghum Soybean Peas Potato
Sugar beet Pepper Sugarcane
Sunflower Tomato
Wheat Water melon

35. Canal Network Flow Monitoring System
Overview
Canal Network Flow Monitoring System is a web based system that
provides the requisite information of water flow in the canal network to
the concerned officials for decision making.
It forms basis for monitoring of release of water to canals against the
water release schedule and for effective monitoring of Water regulation
of Irrigation Systems.

36. • Monitoring
• Control centre
• Sensors and Instrumentation lab at WALAMTARI
• Software development
• Operation and maintenance - Sensors, instruments, transducers,
communication systems, power, etc.
• Decision support systems – Information visualization, Graphics,
Artificial Intelligence, analysis, reports, etc.
• Associated with CWPRS regarding capacity building on canal
automation
WATER MANAGEMENT
CENTRE
(CNFMS)
WATER
MANAGEMENT

37. Canal Network Flow Monitoring System
Introduction:
Canal Network Flow Monitoring System is one of the technique used to
quantify water measurement at a required location in a canal by using advanced
technology for effective irrigation.
With Network Control solutions, the control of the entire network of channels
is improved so that the flow calculations are optimised and the delivery of water
to farmers can be managed effectively.
Canal Network Flow Monitoring System is an Operations Management
Solution
to streamline internal processes and reduce costs by automating the collection
and management of water delivery by using software tools to simplify the
planning and execution of water delivery.

38. Canal Network Flow Monitoring System
Overview CNFMS
Around the world Smart Water Technology is revolutionising the
operation and management of Open Canal Irrigation water
distribution systems reducing the massive amounts of water lost from
storage to farms.
Using the limited water resources efficiently is becoming
increasingly important as India is facing scarcity of water.
Efficiency is a lot more than water usage; it’s about working smarter
and providing with a better service, faster, quicker and cheaper.
With around 70% of the worlds fresh water is being used for
Irrigation, we should look forward for the ways to reduce water lost in
inefficient irrigation infrastructure.
Around the World Canal Automation is being implemented to
reduce the water losses and secure more water for productive usage.

39. Technical architecture

40. Flow diagram

41. Canal Network Flow Monitoring System
Modules Allotted:
SMS Interface
(Both UI and Service)
This is one of the important module of CNFMS where in the concerned
AEE/Section officer sends the gauge reading/discharge reading of his section to a
particular mobile number defined.
The concerned readings will be saved in the database and can be retrieved from
the UI whenever required.

42. TYPES OF SENSORS42
SENSORS
CONTACT
PRESSURE TYPE
CAPACITANCE
TYPE
SHAFT
ENCODERS
BUBBLER
NON CONTACT
ULTRASONIC
RADAR
MMC

43. Pressure Sensors
> contact type
 submerged at a fixed level under the water surface.
 measures the equivalent hydrostatic pressure of the water above the sensor
diaphragm.
 It is like weighing the water.
Staff Gages
> contact type
 The Staff Gage provides a quick and easy visual indicator of water level.
 Made with a durable baked-on porcelain enamel finish on a metal plate.
43

44. 44
STAFF GUAGE
PRESSURE SENSOR

45. Bubbler Systems
> contact
 are hydrostatic pressure sensors
 are used to measure water level by detecting the pressure required to force air
through a submerged tube.
 the tube is mounted with the end of the tube below the water surface being
measured, and the air emerges from the bottom of the tube as a stream of bubbles
45

46. Digital Pulsed Doppler
>contact type
 Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler systems use a transducer that alternates transmission and
reception of ultrasound.
 One main advantage of pulsed Doppler is its ability to provide Doppler shift data
selectively from a small segment along the ultrasound beam, referred to as the “sample
volume”.
 The location of the sample volume is operator controlled.
46

47. 47

48. Aqua Profiler
> Contact type
 The system is designed to measure both, the vector and the magnitude (using twin
velocity beams) of individual velocity cells to account for velocity variations within the
flow and obtain the flow profile.
 A third vertical acoustic or hydrostatic sensor beam is used to measure water level.
48

49. 49

50. Ultrasonic transmitters
> Non contact
 operate by sending a sound wave generated from a piezoelectric transducer to the surface
of the process material being measured.
 transmitter measures the length of time it takes for the reflected sound wave to return to
the transducer.
 successful measurement depends on the wave, reflected from the process material and
moving in a straight line back to the transducer.
 factors such as dust, heavy vapours, tank obstructions, surface turbulence, foam, and even
surface angles can affect the returning signal when using an ultrasonic level sensor.
50

51. Radar
> Non contact
 Working principle is similar to ultrasonic sensors.
 operation of all radar level detectors involves sending microwave beams emitted by
a sensor to the surface of liquid.
 electromagnetic waves after hitting the fluids surface returns back to the sensor
which is mounted at the top.
 The time taken by the signal to return back i.e. time of flight (TOF) is then
determined to measure the level of fluid.
51

52. SENSOR INSTALLATION
 Selection of right sensor
1. measuring range
>based on max. and min. water level
2. measurement interference
>natural or man made
e.g.: presence of large rock in canal gives
wrong reading
52

53. 3. installation
>details of permanent structures should
be collected.eg: bridge ,ridges etc.
4. environmental and seasonal conditions
>wind , wave, salinity ,bank stability etc.
should be determined
53

54.  Data acquisition
>process of sampling signals such as voltage, current etc.
> these signals are further processed
 Telemetry
>includes reporting information
 Control
>necessary steps followed after data analysis
54

55. DATA FLOW PATH
55

56. COMPONENTS OF RADAR SENSOR SYSTEM
56

57. Developed sensors for–the parameters water
level, soil moisture, relative humidity,
temperature ;etc.

59. Aqua Profiler
59

60. DATA VISUALISATION
60
Graphical representation

61. Tabular data representation
61

62. COMPARISON
62

63. SENSORS WATER LEVEL ACCURACY POWER INPUT COST/UNIT(Rs)
SERVICE OF AGENCY
1) CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC 1 year warrenty
>RADAR RANGING SENSOR 40275-72585
a)CS475-L 50mm-20m ± 5mm 9.6-16 Vdc
b)CS476-L 50mm-30m ±3mm 9.6-16 Vdc
c)CS477-L 400mm-70m ±15mm 9.6- 16 Vdc
>SONIC RANGING SENSOR 2565-55285
SR50A-L 0.5-10m ±1cm 9-18 Vdc
2) VIRTUAL ELECTRONICS
>DIGITAL WATER LEVEL RECORDER-RADAR TYPE 3025-60125
DWLR-R 15m-70m ±2mm 12 v
63

64. 3) HYDROVISION
>ULTRASONIC LEVEL SENSOR 2575-50254
SEP3702 25m ±2% 24 Vdc
SHANGHAI
CX-RLM RADAR WATER
LEVEL SENSOR WITH ALARM
30 m <0.1% 4216-60230 1Year warranty
4) CHEMINS
WATER LEVEL SENSOR
LKZLD-A
30 m <0.1% 24 Vdc
RADAR WATER LEVEL
SENSPOR HD
30 m 6000-12000
64

65. 5) SHANGHAI
CX-RLM-081 PULSE RADAR
INFRARED WATER LEVEL
SENSOR
20m <0.1% 7000-60230
RRF-15 70m ±5mm 60230-18690
VRPWRD51-56 20m ±10mm 48184-12460
VRPWRD35 20m ±3mm 24 Vdc 48184-12460
SHAANXI CHINA-RADAR WATER LEVEL SENSOR
YK=RLT01 35m ±2mm 6023-72276
65

66. CANAL SENSOR TYPE LIMITATION MAINTANA
NCE
MARK
MAJOR RADAR NON
CONTACT
COST LESS 9
MAJOR ULTRASONIC NON
CONTACT
TEMPERATURE
VARIATION
LESS 9
MAJOR DIGITAL
DOPPLER
CONTACT PERIODIC
REMOVAL
6
66

67. CANAL SENSORS TYPE LIMITATION MARK
MINOR DIGITAL
DOPPLER
CONTACT PERIODIC
REMOVAL
9
MINOR PRESSURE
SENSOR
CONTACT PERIODIC
REMOVAL
5
SUB CANALS STAFF
GAUGES
CONTACT HUMAN HELP 5
67

68.  Another consideration is that adjustment and operation of
radar and ultrasonic instruments are easy than contact type.
 In open channels, the flow measurement error of ultrasonic
sensors, due to temperature error, can amount to more than
20%. Temperature sensitivity is around ± 15 -20 0 C
 Previously, the price difference between radar and ultrasonic
instrumentation was very high; today, the price of radar is
comparable to that of ultrasonics. But while considering large
scale installation a large amount variation will be there.
68

69. Canals Sensors Type Description Average cost for
complete installation
(Rs)
Installation
Major RADAR Non-contact Highly accurate but
coastlier
30000- 60500 Stand alone poles or
by providing
extension hangings
Major ULTRASONIC Non-contact Accurate but depends on
temperature variation
15670- 35000 Stand alone poles or
by providing
extension hangings
Major Digital doppler Contact Measures velocity also 10000 – 30000 Mounted to canal
sides
Minor Digital doppler Contact Measures velocity also 10000 – 30000 Mounted to canal
sides
Minor Pressure sensor Contact Based on weight of water 5000-25000 Submerged in canals
Minor Staff guages Contact Human recording 1000 Mounted along canal
sided
69

70. Permanent structures like bridges and drops are found to
be the suitable place for sensor installation.
Major field challenge include theft and unawareness about
sensors.
70

71. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
 Operating Temperature Range: –40° to +80°C
 Storage Ranges
>Temperature: –40° to +80°C
>Relative Humidity: 20% to 80% RH
 Vibration Resistance: Mechanical vibrations with 4 g and 5 to 100 Hz
71

72. MODELS AVAILABLE IN MARKET
72

73. CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC
RADAR RANGING SENSORS
73
CS475-L

74. CS476-L
74

75. CS477-L
75

76. SONIC RANGING SENSOR
76
SR50A-L

77. VIRTUAL ELECTRONICS
DIGITAL WATER LEVEL RECORDER-RADAR TYPE77
DWLR-R

78. HYDROVISION
ULTRASONIC LEVEL SENSOR78
SEP3702

79. What is a system?
A system is a set of interacting or interdependent
components forming an integrated whole or a set of elements
(often called 'components' ) and relationships which are
different from relationships of the set or its elements to other
elements or sets.
Each element in the system is called “component”.Every
system is having following components
1) Input
2) Processor
3) Transmitter
4) Output

80. Block Diagram of System
ProcessorInput Transmission Output

81. Inputs (Sensors)
Contact sensors
 Soil moisture sensor
 Temperature and humidity sensor
 Pressure sensor
Non-Contact sensors
 Ultrasonic sensor
 Doppler sensor
 Optical sensor

82. Processing
 Arduino
 Micro Controller

83. An open source platform, easy to use software and hardware
54 digital input and output pins
14 analog input pins
16 MHz crystal oscillator
Serial communication is possible because of Tx , Rx pins
Flash memory of 256 KB
SRAM of 8 KB
EEPROM of 4 KB
Recommended voltage 7V-12V

84. Arduino over microcontrollers :
Inexpensive
Cross-platform
Simple programming environment

85. Transfering Mechanisms
 Wired
 Cable
 Wireless
 Bluetooth
 GSM/GPRS
 Wifi

86. Output
• SMS
• Image
• Video
• Light
• Sound
• Display

87. Input Processor Transmission Output
oContact
• Pressure
• Capacitance
• Bubbler
• Soil moisture
sensor
oNon
contact
• Ultrasonic
• Doppler
• Optical
oMCU
oArduino
oWired
• Cable
oWireless
• Bluetooth
• GSM/GPRS
• Wifi
Overview
•SMS
•Sound
•Light
•Image
•Display

88. Display
Soil Moisture Measurement System
(CLICK v1.0)
Soil moisture sensor Arduino

89. Circuit and program

91. SMS
Soil Moisture Measurement System
(CLICK 2.0 )
Soil moisture sensor Arduino Mega GSM modem- SIM900

92. Circuit and Program

94. Sensors
Ultrasonic sensor for water level Temperature and relative humidity sensor

95. Microcontroller and GSM Board
Arduino Uno Microcontroller GSM BOARD FOR SENDING SMS

96. TWEET AND CLICK
TWEET sensor for water level with GSM CLICK sensor for soil moisture with GSM

97. Soil Moisture Measurement System
(CLICK v3.0)
Soil moisture sensor Arduino
LEDs

98. Circuit and program

100. Display
Water Depth Measurement System
(TWEET v1.0)
Ultrasonic sensor HC- SR04 Arduino Mega

101. Circuit and program

103. SMS
Water Depth Measurement
(TWEET v2.0)
Ultrasonic sensor
HC- SR04
Arduino Mega GSM-SIM900

104. Circuit and program

106. Display
Temperature and Humidity Measurement
System
DHT11 sensor
Arduino

107. Circuit and program

109. SMS
Temperature and Humidity Measurement
System
DHT11 sensor Arduino Mega GSM modem- SIM900

110. Circuit and program

112. Power Analysis
1) Non rechargeable batteries
2) Rechargeable batteries
Electrically rechargeable
Solar panels

113. 9V non rechargeable battery
12V electrically rechargeable battery

114. Installation in real time

118. Observations & Conclusions
Robust covering should be provided.
Graphical data transmission such as MMS is not possible
with Arduino, Arduino compatible cameras are not adequately
available in the market.
Areas at which signal strength is less, power consumption by
the system is more to send data as SMS. To overcome this
problem one should go for the networks which are having high
signal strength.
Ultrasonic sensor should not be installed near the bank, as
water near the bank may not be stable at all the times.

119. Limitations
Range of ultrasonic sensor is 3 m only.
Ultrasonic sensor can not be used, if it is to be
implemented in the stilling well because of the reason that
sentry angle is 15 degrees only.
If flow is not smooth, measurement may not be accurate.

120. Future work
To install the device in the field, it is better to use solar
energy.
To reduce the power consumption,use logical devices to
activate the system only at required times and system should
be idle for remaining.
Automation of the gates if device installed at the reservoirs,
automation of the motors if the device installed in the farming
fields.
Incorporate the exhaust fan in the device as heat sink, to
protect the device from heat.
To send images use Raspberry pi.

121. RBC (Replogle, Bos, Clemmens) flumes

122. Water Level and discharge measuring
using ultrasonic sensor in RBC Flume
Ultrasonic sensor

123. Water Level and discharge measuring
using ultrasonic sensor in RBC Flume
Ultrasonic sensor

124. Water Level in Field water tube (Bowman)
using ultrasonic sensor

125. Water level measurement in
open canal using three
ultrasonic sensors

126. Glow Level – Color LEDs for
different water levels as
signals
Water

127. Glow Level – Color LEDs for
different water levels as
signals
Water

128. Glow Level for
Tube wells –
Colour LEDs for
different levels
of water in the
tube wells

129. Glow Level for
Tube wells –
Colour LEDs for
different levels
of water in the
tube wells

130. Glow Level systems applied in a field

131. Glow Level along the canals / streams / rivers

132. Soil Moisture
measurement in the
soil at various depths
using ER sensors and
Arduino

135. Field level monitoring

140. Smart phones and tablets

141. Aqua Profiler
14
1

142. River Surveyor

143. Portable sensors

148. River Surveyor

149. Smart phones and tablets

150. DATA VISUALISATION
15
0

153. Monitoring the water level & flows

154. Water management of tanks with
sensors – level and quantity

155. Water management: Sensors for
water flow and levels monitoring

156. Solar Power
Arduino, SIM 900, Battery,
Temp and Relative
Humidity sensor
Bowman Water Tube with
ultrasonic sensor
RBC Flume with ultrasonic
sensor
ClimaAdapt Project, Kondrapole, Miryalaguda, Nalgonda
On farm water
monitoring

158. Developed sensors for measuring the
parameters - water level, soil moisture, relative
humidity, temperature

160. RBC (Replogle, Bos, Clemmens) flumes

163. AUTOMATIC WEATHER STATION

167. Drones Imaging and 3D

169. Meteorological predictions and information
Weather forecast
information to mobiles
Pest and disease
surveillance for major
crops
Weather based crop
insurance products
Computer
- models
ObservationsWeather
information
VIPS

170. http://washtech.wordpress.com/2010/11/03/monitoring-water-for-people-launches-android-app/
Thank you