Applying Internet of Things for the Development of Ubiquitous Environment and Fertigation Control System in Plant Factory
Date Issued
2011
Date
2011
Author(s)
Chien, Chun-Liang
Abstract
This study aims to develop a ubiquitous environment and fertigation control system for crop production in plant factory. The hardware relate to the system includes personal computers, PICNICs（Programmable Interface Controller with Network Interface Card）, wireless access points, temperature sensors, humid sensors, CO2 sensors, pH sensors, electrical conductivity sensors, load cell, humidifiers, CO2 containers and related magnetic valves, artificial light and peristaltic pumps. All sensors transmit data via PICNIC and wireless access point, thus making all sensors fall in the concept of “Internet of Things”. The software related to the system can be divided into main program and web system. The purposes of the main program are: connecting to PICNIC, data acquisition from PICNIC, data upload to the web system, execute on-off control command to the equipment, and synchronized the control setup between main program and web system.
System developed is currently operating in seven plant factories at three locations using one server located in our Department. Other than previously mentioned monitoring capabilities, the system also governing the control of indoor relative humidity, carbon dioxide concentration, pH and electrical conductivity of nutrient solution of hydroponically grown leafy vegetables and duration and frequency of fertigation for orchid（Phalaenopsis） production. Current settings for indoor relative humidity was not less than 70%, carbon dioxide concentration was maintained at 1200 ppm, pH and electrical conductivity of nutrient solution were kept at 6±0.1 and 0.9±0.1 mS/cm, and the timing for potted orchid irrigation can be kept at pre-set（23% for example） reduction in total weight of the pot.
Based on the concept of “Internet of Things”, an ubiquitous environment monitoring and control system was developed. The system is currently used in plant factories for leafy vegetable and orchid production. Through the successful installation of the system, the manager can work much easily. As long as the manager can get access to the Internet, he or she can get the real time information of the system thus making the ubiquitous management possible.
Subjects
Plant factory
Wireless control
Remote monitoring
Ubiquitous
Internet of Things
Type
thesis
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