Design of a wireless sensor network for optimal deployment of sensor nodes in a cocoa crop

In this study, factorial experiments were conducted in two different scenarios to design a Wireless Sensor Network for monitoring a cocoa crop in a rural area in Colombia. Node sensors measured temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture, Ultra-Violet light, and visible light intensity. The factor...

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Autores:
Celis, Jose Miguel
Escobar Amado, Christian David
Medina Delgado, Byron
Castro Casadiego, Sergio
Sepúlveda, Sergio
Guevara-Ibarra, Dinael
Tipo de recurso:
Article of journal
Fecha de publicación:
2020
Institución:
UNIVERSIDAD FRANCISCO DE PAULA SANTANDER
Repositorio:
Repositorio Digital UFPS
Idioma:
eng
OAI Identifier:
oai:repositorio.ufps.edu.co:ufps/833
Acceso en línea:
http://repositorio.ufps.edu.co/handle/ufps/833
https://doi.org/10.22430/22565337.1361
Palabra clave:
Wireless sensor networks
factorial experiments,
agronomic crop
XBee module
ZigBee wireless
Red de sensores inalámbricos
experimentos factoriales
cultivo agronómico
módulo XBee
ZigBee inalámbrico
Rights
openAccess
License
(c) 2020 TecnoLógicas
Description
Summary:In this study, factorial experiments were conducted in two different scenarios to design a Wireless Sensor Network for monitoring a cocoa crop in a rural area in Colombia. Node sensors measured temperature, relative humidity, soil moisture, Ultra-Violet light, and visible light intensity. The factors considered in the experiments were distance between node sensors, height from the ground, and type of antenna; in turn, Received Signal Strength Indicator and data transfer time were the outputs. The wireless sensor network was deployed in the crop, covering approximately 3 % of the area and using 7 different nodes in a cluster tree topology. First, an open field scenario with line of sight was used to determine the appropriate height of the node sensors. Second, a scenario in the actual cocoa crop was utilized to find the appropriate distance between modules and type of antenna. We found, based on our calculations and experimental data, that a height of 1.25 m was required to avoid the Fresnel zone and improve the RSSI of the network. Furthermore, we determined that a distance below 35 m was needed to guarantee signal reception and avoid long data transfer times. The wire antenna exhibited a better performance. Finally, the proposed methodology and monitoring system can be used for agronomic applications in rural areas in Colombia to increase crop yield.