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An Automation System Design for Greenhouses by Using DIY platforms

Conference Paper · August 2015

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 An Automation System Design for Greenhouses by Using DIY platforms
Ahmet Murat Turk*1, Efnan Sora Gunal2 and Ugur Gurel2
1,
Department of Computer Engineering, Anadolu University, Turkey.
(E-mail: ahmetmuratturk@anadolu.edu.tr)
2
Department of Computer Engineering, Eskisehir Osmangazi University, Turkey.
(E-mail: esora@ogu.edu.tr, ugurgurel@ogu.edu.tr)

Corresponding Author’s e-mail: ahmetmuratturk@anadolu.edu.tr

ABSTRACT

Several computer-microcontroller designs have been purposed to control and monitor

greenhouses. With recent developments in embedded systems, mobility on internet and cloud
systems, new solutions have been developed. Building these systems require long research
period and experiments since peripheral conditions and client requirements may differ with
region, plants and so on. Therefore, system costs are becoming unpredictable. Do-it-yourself
(DIY) platforms like Arduino and Raspberry Pi offer good solutions to build up an embedded
system which will work in greenhouses because they supply flexibility, low power
consumption and easy management. On the other hand, renewable energy resources like
photovoltaic batteries provide electric source for feeding not only embedded systems but also
mobile internet modems in gardens. Hereby, it is feasible for an embedded system to
communicate with a remote server. In this work, an automation system design for
greenhouses which can be controlled on both web and smart phones is proposed. Owing to
mobile internet has quota of usage, a network package and database design are suggested.
Additionally, web and mobile interfaces are discussed to manage automation process.

Keywords: cross platform, DIY platform, mobile based automation system, network package
design.

1. INTRODUCTION

Greenhouses are structural buildings with various types of covering materials such as glass or
plastic roof and frequently glass or plastic walls. Hence, these buildings are controlled-area-
environment to grow plants. Several computer-microcontroller designs have been purposed to
control and monitor greenhouses via automation systems ensure affectivity, productivity and
utility. Automation systems require long research period and their installation costs are quite
high. Due to these facts, greenhouse automation systems are not commonly used. Also,
previous computer-aided designs are in need of skilled people to operate. However,
nowadays, computer usage becomes undemanding and control and monitoring systems fulfil
setup cost in a short period of time, this systems set off widespread [1-3]. At the present time,
considering that most of the areas used for greenhousing are in GSM network coverage, it
becomes much easier to install and manage such systems [4]. In unfavorable conditions,
products in greenhouse perish and this leads to large amounts of property damage. To avoid

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waste, farmers take precautions against frost in their forcing frame with heating systems in
days and nights when it is expected to become cold. Temperature values which are monitored
via meteorological data are inadequate for unexpected air conditions. Suddenly changing
weather conditions engender condensed water, on account of condensed water is chilly, it may
have a shock effect on plants and also disturb people who work in. As a precaution, humidity
in environment should be monitored and interfered when the values reach critical limits. For
remote monitoring, values which are read in greenhouse environment should be also saved on
a database and become reachable online. In this way, the collected data are not only useful for
monitoring past events but also provide raw material for data mining to predict future events.
Nowadays, mobile phones and computers have become an integral part of human life. Thanks
to the spread of internet usage even in distinct villages, more and more people become
familiar with the technology. In recent years, mobile and wireless technologies play important
roles in a great part of human life. Since smartphones provide lots of ease in daily life, most
of the people use them. Smartphones can be also used as remote controllers for various
devices such as televisions and air-conditioners. This is an indication of the fact that how
people are intertwined with wireless technology. Wireless and mobile technologies are
continuously improved. Consequently, there is no obstacle to use the remote system for the
system's target user communities whenever a user-friendly interface proffer and assist to
humanity.
Currently, there are numerous researches on greenhouse automation. These researches differ
depending on the components that can be categorized as communication and control
infrastructure, embedded system used on greenhouse, sensors and convertors gaining skills to
system and user-interface. For infrastructure, several communication protocols such as wired
data communication based RS-485, CAN (Controller Area Network), Bluetooth, GPRS
(General Packet Radio System), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) and
Internet [5] which hinge on system installation cost, distance and data transmission rate [6]
have been used. Usage of internet of things (IOT) on agriculture is a hot research topic [7-9]
and it is expected to become more and more popular in the future [10]. Thus, IOT is suggested
and internet connection has been chosen as interconnection method. Embedded system is a
combination of hardware and software, either fixed in capability or programmable, that is
specifically designed for a particular kind of application device. For hardware, plenty of draft
based on computer such as [11, 12] or microprocessor such as [13, 14] can be found. Due to
the advantage of DIY platforms, some other designs [3, 15, 16] with DIY cards have recently
came up. The purpose of this work is to propose a basic design of greenhouse automation
which has capability to expend, update and upgrade with cheap installation cost, low-power
consumption.
The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Determining user expectations what is awaited
through automation is discussed in Section 2. Requirement Analysis; database, electronic and
data exchange design are given in Section 3. Design; finally, a conclusion about the proposed
study is provided in Section 4. Results and Discussion.

2. REQUIREMENT ANALYSIS

In this section, the requirements are discussed. System requirements are categorized in several
subtitles such as functional requirements, technical (non-functional) requirements, system
interfaces, security requirements and data requirements. System requirements need to be well
thought out, balanced and clearly understood by both system designer and customer.

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2.1. Functional Requirements

The proposed design grabs data (such as temperature and humidity) from environments (such
as greenhouse, farm) and send to remote server via modem by using internet connection and
also could operate remote commands. Data on the remote server could be viewed via both
web and smart phone. Also, these stations could be distance management centers.
Throughputs and measurement times should be recorded on a database. At this point, utility of
old data ought to be debated. 6-month-old data may not be useful for customer; therefore,
showing this data in smart phone application may be trivial. However, signification
information could be gained by using this data. Data retention should be supported; but,
former throughputs should not be reached through smart phone application to protect user-
friendly design. Besides, remote server should keep track of records to check values whether
they are in limits. When a value overflows outside of the boundaries, like if temperature
decreases dramatically, remote server should sent notification to subscriber’s smart phone.
When user receives alert, he could step in and prevent emergency situations such as freezing.
In a greenhouse, critical limits depend on location, climate and plant. Some vegetables has
more resistance against cold weather. Accordingly, critical limit on which system send alert to
user should be determined by customers. There are some researches about calculating limit
temperatures. This method has to be shared with customers on web site which will be also
used to reach remote database.

2.2. Technical and Hardware Requirements

The system consists of three different components: embedded system, web server and an
optional smart phone owned by the user. Using microprocessors requires extra cards (such as
oscillator) and it may become difficult to use and design cards. However, do-it-yourself (DIY)
platforms offer some advantages such as low-cost, easy-to-use capabilities which makes it
possible to build up system for everyone. Arduino and Raspberry Pi [17] are two very popular
DIY platforms and also have help support, and software library for sensors. A sample sensor
for measuring both heat and humidity is DHT-11 which can be used in greenhouses. A sample
electronic design of Arduino and DHT-11 sensor will be given in Chapter 3.2. Raspbery Pi
module has already an ethernet port; however, Ethernet shield is required to connect with
Arduino. System can gain some extra skills by adding extra components like rain sensor,
oxygen sensor, light sensor, barometric sensor, etc. Some extra circuit elements are needed
while linking sensors to DIY card. In that case, a 10K ohm resistor is essential between DHT-
11 sensor and Arduino card. A web server including database (like SQL) and a modem to
transfer data (through 3G or 4G) from sensors to the web server are required.
As another technical requirement, certain programming language is needed to develop
software component. Arduino can be programmed by a language which is similar to C [18].
Web server has to run database, HTTP listener program and web site. For the database, any
type of SQL is useful. Also, any language can be preferred to develop http listener and to save
valid data to the database. It is suggested to use SQL database which allows use of desktop,
web and mobile programs.

2.3. System and User Interfaces

An effective design of the automata should be operated by web and smart phone applications.
Automata consists of three different system interfaces: between embedded card and web
server, which also serves as a web site for users and that leads a user interface for web visitors
and a smartphone application should reach online database on server as well. The connection
between embedded card and web server will be held via ethernet shield and a network
package design is given in Section 3, server host an online database which is shared by web

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site and mobile application. The embedded card, which is located on greenhouse, should send
information collected via sensors to the server. In this case, embedded card transmits package
to a certain port number and server always has to listen this port number and receive data
when it is available. Using HTTP is an easy and simple solution. It is not necessary to register
for a general visitor to the web site. Besides, system users cannot assign their greenhouse
because they do not know greenhouses ID and also unauthorized assignments leads to
vulnerability. Hence, creating user account ought to done by administrator. As it is mentioned
in the introduction section, boundary values depend on several factors. Studies about
calculating limit values on greenhouse might be published on web for all users. Mobile
application should alarm a registered user when sensor measurements equals or bigger than
boundary values.

2.4. Database Requirements

HTTP listener software records values (temperature and humidity) on database at every 30
minutes so that a timer should check values whether they are within the boundaries. If they
are not, an alarm trigger must be enabled. A user may have more than one greenhouse. A
greenhouse may be owned by more than one user. Adding a new attribute for which
greenhouse is owned by who will break second normal form, so a new table should be added
which is named as “Owners”. Some greenhouse may have large footprint such that one device
may not be enough. Then, these gardens may have multiple devices. Every greenhouse should
have a unique ID number and recognized with this number. Every single device which is
placed in greenhouses will have a unique identification number. With this number, it would
be possible to find owner of this device, where this device is placed. To allocate users, a
unique ID number to log in the system, a username and password are required. Furthermore,
customer’s real name, telephone and address information should be kept in related tables in
case of reaching user become necessary. Since Celsius unit is widely used in our country,
Celsius degrees will be saved to the database. At the same time, humidity that is measured by
system should be kept. This data is sent by which device is also vital and must be recorded.
For greenhouses, critical temperature and humidity values depend on the region and plant
which is grown. According to some research studies, some authors are claiming that
maximum degree must be 27 Celsius but some are 32. Humidity boundaries are not defined
absolute as well. Customers are the people who have the most reliable information on both
region and plant which they grow. Recommending research studies to them but leaving the
decision to themselves could be a wise choice and also protects system designers against legal
responsibilities in case of plant decay. For this purpose, database keep a record on minimum
and maximum boundaries.

3. DESIGN

3.1 Database Design

In Figure 1, entity relationship model is outlined. When a new sensor measureing another
attribute is added the system, only affiliation will be on Values table with a new column. In
this way, upgrading monitoring abilities becomes so easy on server side. All table names and
explanation about columns are given below.

Users table
UserID: A unique user identification number to recognize users from each other.
Username: A unique string that is used for login to system.
Password: A hidden value for authenticating user to while logging.

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CustomerName: Full name of customer.
Address and Telephone: It is needed in case of emergency situation for reaching customer.

Figure 1 ER Diagram

GreenHouses table
GHouseID : An unique identification number to recognize greenhouses from each other.
GHouseName:Name of the greenhouse that is given by customer.
GHouseAddress : Address of the greenhouse.
Min_Temp : Minimum temperature value that alarm trigger will be enable when value drop
down under this value.
Max_Temp : Maximum temperature value that alarm trigger will be enable when value drop
down under this value.
Min_Humidity Minimum humidity value that alarm trigger will be enable when value drop
down under this value.
Max_Humidity Maximum humidity value that alarm trigger will be enable when value drop
down under this value.

Devices table
DeviceID : An unique identification number to recognize an embedded card from each other.
GHouseID : ID number of greenhouse where we place the device.

Values table
DeviceID: ID number of device which sent data.
Temperature: Temperature value which is sent by device.
Humidity: Humidity value which is sent by device.
Time: Actual time of the server when it receive data package.

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3.2 Electronic Design

Figure 2 Electronic Design for Arduino, Ethernet Shield and DHT-11

Figure 3 Output Pins

Figure 2 shows how to link up electronic cards and DHT-11 sensor. A resistance with 10K
ohm is necessary between DHT-11 sensor and Arduino card to reduce the current. In Figure
3, a real circuit is shown. Connections to sensors made on Ethernet Shield but energy supply
made on Arduino Card by battery or mains. Gardens are usually places far away from

262
electricity networks and dry cells have short lifetime. So, it is strongly suggested to use solar
cell, in Figure 4, that converts the energy of light directly into electricity by the photovoltaic
effect, which is a physical and chemical phenomenon. With usage of mobile internet
connection, system can run if a GSM network is available and there are sufficient sunshine.

Figure 4 Photovoltaic Battery

3.3 Data Exchange Interface

One of the main assumptions about greenhouse is that they are usually have distance from
settlement and internet providers rarely serve in this distinct areas. Mobile internet
subscription beneficial outcome with some restriction, most significant are quota of usage.
Mobile internet providers set monthly total bandwidth and to exceed the quota is very pricey.
So, data exchanging between DIY card and server should be less and few sent data should be
meaningful to opposite side and provide many information. The database outline which is
given in Chapter 3.1 is designed to consider this. For example, in this outline, owner and
location can be obtained by using DeviceID attribute. Sending other values will be trivial. As
a system requirement, measured values are recorded on remote database with time when they
are evaluated. Since we are designing a very light package, there is not a noteworthy time
interval among measurement and record. Hence, it is not necessary to have a time attribute for
the package. Optionally, to track and take precautions against package loose, a measurement
identification number can be provided and it checked in particular intervals by both server and
DIY card. A sample package for the system with only DHT-11 sensor is given in Figure 5.
The purpose of using operator “/” is that the attributes are going to be parsed from these
points.

Figure 5 A Recommended Network Package

While extending automation and adding new sensors, extra measurements can be added as
new cells.

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4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A web site which contains articles and training videos about greenhousing is designed in
ASP.NET. Sample codes of the entire project are available on web
(http://ahmetmuratturk.home.anadolu.edu.tr/greenhouse/). Screenshot of an article on the web
page is shown in Figure 6. A registered user may login to page by using the form shown in
Figure 7. After login, an authorized user can get sight of his greenhouses as provided in
Figure 8.

Figure 6 Articles about Greenhousing

Figure 7 Login Form

More detailed information about Arduino Uno and Ethernet Shield can be found on
manufacturer’s web site [18]. Calculating power consumption and number of photovoltaic
batteries to supply this may be challenging [19, 20] because it relies on several factors
(sunlight intensity, number of sensors used). When Arduino Uno and Ethernet Shield runs,
approximately 150 mA is observed via multimeter. Database design allows adding extra
sensors. Using some other sensors, like rain and wet sensor shown in Figure 9, it is possible to
redound to system new capabilities.
Data acquisition allow us to predict future possibilities by analyzing them. This monitoring
system also makes data mining feasible while recording past data. The more data system
collect from customer, the more significant estimates the analyzer can make. Over the years,
system administrator can change parameters according to conjectures from season to season.

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 Figure 8 Recently Updated Values from Different Greenhouses owned by Authorized User

Figure 9 Rain and Wet Sensor

Giving compromising from power consumption presents another alternative solution cover all
plant area. Instead of location more than one device, a traveler robot which is controlled by
DIY card can be desing. A study by [21] shows how DIY cards may be used in robotics.

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