Sunrom Part#

Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog

Output 1282

Accurately detects amount of moisture content in soil and outputs

serial data at 9600 bps. Also outputs Analog voltage as per level of
User's
moisture in soil. Manual

Doc Version: 1
12-Apr-16

A quality product, proudly made in India by

Electronics
http://www.sunrom.com/m/1282
1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output

Table of Contents

Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 3
Features .......................................................................................................................................... 3
Applications .................................................................................................................................... 3
Specifications .................................................................................................................................. 3
Module Pin Details.......................................................................................................................... 3
Interfacing with Microcontroller or USB-UART TTL through Serial Data .................................... 4
Interfacing analog output with microcontroller ADC .................................................................... 4
Jumper Settings - Baud Rate Setting .............................................................................................. 5
Serial Output Format ...................................................................................................................... 5
Output Format explanation ........................................................................................................ 6
Analog output format .................................................................................................................. 6
Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................................... 6
Is this sensor calibrated?............................................................................................................. 6
Is this sensor useful in commercial use?..................................................................................... 6
Can I use only serial or only analog output or both? .................................................................. 6
Support ............................................................................................................................................7
Disclaimer ........................................................................................................................................7

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1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output
Introduction

The sensor measures the dielectric constant of the soil in order to find its volumetric water
content (VWC). It obtains volumetric water content by measuring the dielectric constant of the
media through the utilization of frequency domain technology. Since the dielectric constant of
water is much higher than that of air or soil minerals, the dielectric constant of the soil is a
sensitive measure of volumetric water content.

The sensor has a low power requirement and very high resolution. This gives the ability to make
many measurements (i.e. hourly) over a long period of time with minimal battery usage. In
addition, the sensors incorporate a high frequency oscillation, which allows the sensor to
accurately measure soil moisture in any soil with minimal salinity and textural effects.

Features

• Operating voltage from 3.3V to 5V

• Fast response time: Update every second
• Output serial data at 9600 bps or 115200 kbps
• Analog output data from 0 to 3.3V

Applications

• Irrigation scheduling
• Vadose zone monitoring
• Plant-soil-water interaction studies

Specifications

Parameter Value
Working Voltage 3.3V to 5V DC regulated power supply
Current Consumption 25 mA
Serial Baud rate 9600 bps or 15200 bps depending on jumper setting
Baud rate format 8-N-1; 1 Start bit, 8 Data bits, 1 Stop Bits, No Parity
Update rate 1 second
Analog Output 0V to 3.3V
Serial Output Integer 0 to 1023
Dimensions 170mm x 18mm

Module Pin Details

Pin Details
GND Common Ground
+3/5 Regulated positive power input 3.3V to 5V DC
TX Transmit Output - UART TTL level - Connects to RXD pin of microcontroller
ANL Analog output - Connects to ADC of microcontroller

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1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output

Interfacing with Microcontroller or USB-UART TTL through Serial Data

If you want to operate with microcontroller then it's very simple to connect just pins of module
like below.

If you want to operate with a PC then use a typical USB-UART of TTL level(not RS232) with
same connections like below.

Soil Moisture Sensor Microcontroller

USB-UART TTL

GND GND

+3/5V +3/5V

TX RXD

Interfacing analog output with microcontroller ADC

Soil Moisture Sensor Microcontroller

GND GND

+3/5V +3/5V

ANL ADC

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1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output
Jumper Settings - Baud Rate Setting

There is a PCB jumper on board on PCB named as J1. We provided it open condition which
means 9600 bps baud rate. You can short it with a soldering iron, if you want 115200 bps baud
rate for module.

Serial Output Format

Each reading contains 6 characters, the integer is 12 bit means from 0 to 1023 in ASCII format.
The start of packet is always with 0x0A and end is with 0x0D. Between these are 4 ASCII
characters that represent the 12 bit integer value.

Start CH1 CH2 CH3 CH4 End

0x0A X X X X 0x0D
Typical reading is shown below in ASII as well as HEX packet on the right side.

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1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output
Output Format explanation
The output reading is 12bit value in ASCII format from 000 to 1023.

In air the output would be 0 and holding by hand the reading would jump instantly to 60
sensing even the moisture of hand.

If dipped in full water the reading would come to around 200-300 instantly. if you slowly move
it out of water, the reading will start dropping.

if sensor is put in full wet soil the reading will come to around 800 to 900.

In dry soil reading would be around 50-100

Analog output format

Just like integer output of 12 bit, the analog output is also in 12 bit resolution. If serial output is
0 then analog output is 0V and if serial output is 1023 (maximum) then analog full output is also
3.3V.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this sensor calibrated?

No the sensor is not calibrated. Each sensor has +/-5% variation from the reading.

Is this sensor useful in commercial use?

No, the sensor is made for education and research use only.

Can I use only serial or only analog output or both?

You can use any one or both output.

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1282 Soil Moisture Sensor - Digital + Analog Output
Support

Sunrom Electronics offers free technical support (www.sunrom.com/contact) for

customers, until the end of the product’s lifetime, so if something goes wrong, we’re ready and
willing to help!

Technical Support is available by email only and scope is limited to problem faced during use of
the use of product and does not cover end user programming and hardware troubleshooting.

Each product passes through strict quality checks before it reaches you. So if something is not
working out right, the first thing to doubt is the connections or programming of your hardware.

Disclaimer

Sunrom Electronics assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may
appear in the present document. Specification and information contained in the present
schematic are subject to change at any time without notice.

Copyright © 2016 Sunrom Electronics. All rights reserved.

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