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 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.

• 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