Eco-smart Irrigation: An IoT-based Automated Irrigation System Using LoRa Communication and Multi-sensor Integration
Keywords:
Automated irrigation, ESP32 microcontroller, Artificial Intelligence-driven-Internet of Things (AIIoT), LoRa communication, Soil moisture sensor, Sustainable agriculture, Water conservationAbstract
Water scarcity and inefficient irrigation practices pose significant challenges to sustainable agriculture worldwide. Traditional irrigation systems often rely on manual operation, resulting in overwatering, underwatering, and unnecessary waste of water resources. This study presents an eco-smart irrigation system that leverages internet of things (IoT) technology, long range (LoRa) communication, and multi-sensor integration to optimize water usage in agricultural fields. The system employs ESP32 microcontrollers as central processing units, integrating soil moisture sensors and raindrop sensors to monitor environmental conditions in real-time. A transmitter unit connected to the Blynk IoT platform enables remote monitoring and control from distant locations, while a receiver unit manages irrigation equipment through relay modules and solenoid valves. The dual-sensor approach ensures higher precision compared to traditional systems by considering both soil moisture levels and rainfall conditions. Experimental results conducted over 30 days demonstrate remarkable performance with 40% water conservation compared to manual irrigation methods, 95% sensor reliability under varying field conditions, and a 2-second response time for rainfall detection. The system operates effectively across distances exceeding 1.5 kilometers with packet loss below 2%, ensuring reliable communication in large agricultural areas. The proposed solution addresses critical issues of water management, reduces human labor significantly, and supports sustainable agricultural practices while maintaining improved crop yields and soil health.
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