Introduction: In today’s rapidly evolving agriculture landscape, keeping track of field conditions is crucial for maximizing productivity and ensuring safety. This article introduces an advanced yet user-friendly LabVIEW-based data logger system designed to monitor essential agricultural field parameters. With its ability to track soil moisture, temperature, humidity, water levels, and even hazardous gases like smoke, this system ensures a smarter, safer, and more efficient farm management experience.
Let’s break down the setup, operation, and benefits of this system, making it easy for any tech-savvy farmer or enthusiast to follow.
Table of Contents-
How the System Works:
The LabVIEW-based data logger system is divided into two main sections:
- Field Device: Collects real-time data from various sensors.
- Data Logger: Records the data and displays it for analysis.
The communication between these two sections happens via a 2.4 GHz RF modem, which can easily be swapped for any other modem based on availability.
Components You’ll Need:
Field Device Setup
The field device is packed with sensors that detect and record environmental data:
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Power supply (12V/1.5Amp) | 1 |
| Arduino Nano | 1 |
| RF 2.4GHz Modem | 1 |
| Jumper wires (M-M, M-F, F-F) | 60 (20 each) |
| Power supply extension | 1 |
| Water level sensor | 1 |
| Fire sensor | 1 |
| Soil moisture sensor | 1 |
| Light intensity sensor | 1 |
| DHT11 (Temperature/Humidity) | 1 |
| Smoke detector | 1 |
| LCD display (20×4) | 1 |
| LCD patch | 1 |
Data Logger Setup
The data logger captures sensor data for further analysis:
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Power supply (12V/1Amp) | 1 |
| Arduino Nano | 1 |
| RF 2.4GHz Modem | 1 |
| Jumper wires (M-M, M-F, F-F) | 60 (20 each) |
| Power supply extension | 1 |
| LCD display (20×4) | 1 |
| 5 Push-button array | 1 |
| RF modem explorer board | 1 |
Connecting the Circuit:
Field Device Connections:
- Connect sensors like the fire, soil moisture, smoke, light, and DHT11 to the Arduino Nano, ensuring all power (+Vcc and GND) connections are made to the power supply.
- For communication, the RF modem’s TX and RX pins go to the Arduino’s 6 and 7 pins.
- Finally, the water level sensor is connected to RX(0) of the Arduino.
Data Logger Connections:
- The RF modem communicates with the data logger via the TX and RX pins, while the LCD is connected to display real-time data.
Programming the System:
Both the field device and data logger rely on specific Arduino code to process and display the data.
Field Device Code Highlights:
- The code reads inputs from the various sensors (fire, soil, light, smoke) and updates the LCD display.
- It sends this data via the RF modem to the data logger.
Data Logger Code Highlights:
- The logger receives sensor data and processes it using a string-splitting function.
- Data is displayed on the LCD and sent to the LabVIEW interface for visualization and storage.
Building the LabVIEW GUI:
To make the data user-friendly and easy to interpret, a graphical interface (GUI) is designed using LabVIEW. Follow these steps to create it:
- Install LabVIEW Software: Make sure to install the NI VISA driver for serial communication.
- Create a New Project: Open LabVIEW and select a blank VI (Virtual Instrument).
- Design the Front Panel: This is where users interact with the system, using controls (knobs, buttons) and indicators (LEDs, graphs).
- Build the Block Diagram: This is the “code” of the system, where graphical elements like functions and structures are connected to control the front panel.
- Use VISA Serial Communication: This is the backbone of communication between the field device and LabVIEW, ensuring real-time data capture and display.
Actionable Tips for Implementation:
- Ensure Proper Connections: Double-check each sensor’s connections with the power supply to avoid malfunctions.
- Monitor RF Communication: The RF modem is crucial for sending data to the logger. Replace with another modem if needed.
- Debugging with LabVIEW: Use LabVIEW’s debugging tools to ensure the GUI correctly reflects real-time data from your sensors.
Summary for Instagram Reels and Canva Infographics:
- What It Is: A LabVIEW-based system to monitor farm field conditions.
- Key Components: Arduino, sensors (soil, temperature, smoke), RF modem, LCD display.
- How It Works: Field data is collected by sensors and sent to a data logger, displayed on LabVIEW for easy monitoring.
- Actionable Tips: Ensure secure connections, use RF modems for data transfer, debug the system with LabVIEW for real-time updates.
- Use Cases: Smart farming, remote monitoring, environmental control in agriculture.
This system not only makes farming more efficient but also ensures you’re always aware of crucial field conditions, preventing potential issues before they arise. Happy farming with smarter tech!
Introduction
This chapter explains how to develop a local web server on a laptop to control an actuator, specifically designed for automation in agriculture. The system controls a water pump based on soil moisture levels using components like a NodeMCU, soil sensor, LCD display, and relay boards. The local web server acts as a remote control interface for this system.
5.2 Circuit Diagram and Connection Details
Components Used (Table 5.1):
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Power supply 12V/1Amp | 1 |
| 2 Relay Board | 1 |
| Jumper wires (M-M, M-F, F-F) | 20 each |
| Power supply extension | 1 |
| LCD 20×4 | 1 |
| LCD patch/explorer board | 1 |
| NodeMCU patch | 1 |
| NodeMCU | 1 |
| Soil moisture sensor | 1 |
Circuit Connections:
- Soil Sensor: Output pin connected to
A0of NodeMCU.+VccandGNDconnected to 5V and ground of power supply. - LCD: Pins
RS,RW,Econnected to NodeMCUD0,GND,D1. Data pins connected toD2,D3,D4,D5. - Water Pump Motors: Connected to
D6andD7via relay board. - Transistor: NPN transistor 2N2222 connected with NodeMCU pins for controlling relays.
- Relay and Power Supply: Relay connected to a 12V battery to control the water pump.
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