This repository contains the prototype of an automated monitoring and control system designed for the care of indoor crops. The project utilizes PIC microcontrollers and an Android user interface with Bluetooth technology to offer efficient and remote control of the growing environment.
This project was developed as a solution to the challenges that climate change and overpopulation pose to traditional agriculture, including droughts, floods, deforestation, and the use of pesticides. This system allows for protected and controlled cultivation, optimizing resources and food quality.
- androidapp.apk // Android App that functions as mobile wireless interface connecting via bluetooth with the system. Development on MIT App Inventor open source platform.
- firmware.c // Firmware control system software
- Licence // MIT License
- Readme.md // This file.
- schematic.pdf // Electronics diagram schematic of project.
- thesis-spanish.pdf // Thesis that includes all documentation of the project, test cases, results, control system diagram, among others.
The main objective of the project is to develop a prototype of an automated monitoring and control system for the care of indoor crops.
Specific objectives include:
- Researching the growth processes of plants in indoor crops.
- Studying sensors and actuators for automated cultivation systems.
- Designing and implementing the prototype's hardware and software.
- Building a functional structure for the system.
- Testing the combined operation of the prototype system and the mobile application.
The control system, governed by a PIC microcontroller, includes the following key features:
- Control of lighting by hours. Manual/Automatic.
- Control of aeration and air renewal. Manual/Automatic.
- Control of irrigation based on days and duration. Manual/Automatic.
- Temperature reduction and humidity increase. Activation of actuators based on sensors and defined parameters.
- Custom Water Level indicator.
- Custom telemetry communication
- Custom Android App Application, with custom library/driver to interface wireless with system via Bluetooth.
The hardware design is based on several main components:
- Microcontroller: Microchip PIC 18F2550
- Temperature and Humidity Sensor: DHT11
- Real-Time Clock (RTC) Module: TinyRTC
- Bluetooth Communication Module: HC-05
The system's software includes the firmware for the microcontroller and the mobile application for Android. The application, named SmartGrowth, has the following functionalities:
- Home Screen: Connect/disconnect the device.
- Side Menu: Navigation to the different options of the application.
- Cultivation Programming: Option to program a crop manually or select one from a database with pre-set configurations.
- Sensors Screen: Displays measurements for temperature, relative humidity, water level, and the system's time/date.
- Current Configuration: Shows the active configuration in the control system.
The prototype works correctly to activate and deactivate the actuators according to the programmed parameters. However, areas for improvement were identified, such as the limitations of the application's development platform and the need for better thermal insulation.
For future implementations, it is recommended to:
- Sensors: Upgrade to a DHT22 sensor for greater accuracy.
- Power Control: Replace the transistors and TRIACs with relays or solid-state relays (SSR) to control higher-power devices.
- Lighting: Switch to specific plant-growing LED lights for their efficiency.
Additional Features: Add pH sensors, a heating system, and the ability to record and graph data from the sensors.
MCU: Microchip PIC18F2550 running at 20 MHz (HS crystal oscillator).
Inputs:
- Temperature sensor(s)
- Humidity sensor(s)
- User input (buttons, switches)
Outputs:
- Fans
- Motors (irrigation/ventilation)
- Lighting system
- Data Sensor Telemtry on App.
- Initialization routines (configuration bits, ports setup)
- Sensor data acquisition
- Control algorithms for actuators
- Display driver for LCD output
- Main loop (continuous monitoring & control)
Tools Used
- Compiler: mikroC PRO for PIC v7.2
- Simulation: Proteus v8.6 SP2
- MCU: MICROCHIP PIC18F2550
- System initializes MCU configuration bits and peripherals.
- Sensors collect temperature and humidity data.
- Based on threshold values, actuators are activated or deactivated:
- Turn on fan if temperature exceeds safe range.
- Trigger irrigation motor if humidity is below threshold.
- Control lights based on schedule or sensor input.
- App shows real-time sensor values and system status.
Original Thesis Project Authors:
Miguel Ladines https://github.com/dev-mikel & Joel Benavides
MIT Licence.