Centre for Real Time Information Networks
University of Technology, Sydney
CapstoneProject
Title:Prototyping a distributed soil
moisture monitoring and irrigation control system
Download Progress Report
Download Final Report
Prototyping of a distributed soil moisture
monitoring and irrigation control system: an interesting project
which includes applications of wireless and embedded technologies.
Engineering a prototype system would contribute to the extensive
research which is currently in progress at Centre for Real-time
Information Networks in UTS.
The main objective is to design a prototype
which includes following intermediate goals to be achieved:
1. Setting up a base station of RCM 3720
prototyping module i.e. part of
ZigBee? Application Kit and program in Dynamic C to communicate
with the nodes [RF modules].
2. Establishing communication between nodes &
Setting up a mesh topology
3. Designing a soil moisture probe or selecting
an off the shelf one which is compatible with the nodes [RF
modules].
4. Researching signal attenuation when the RF
module is embedded in wet soil and other real environmental
conditions.
5. Programming the interface to control/monitor
the system in response to moisture levels seen by each node
6. Research on existing implementations and
design a data recording system [files/database] to utilize/present
the information supplied by the nodes.
• Research based Learning with emphasis on
improving problem solving skills, documentation skills, collection
of data, analysis of information, Design of system architecture and
project management skills.
• The documentation providing evidence of
research, testing, observations, analysis and design during
different phases of the project as described in section [E. Methods]
of this report.
• Study and design of a functional prototype
system with support for a limited number of RF nodes in mesh
topology.
• The extended research related to process of
commercial implementation/ application of this sensory network to
the market or any party outside University of Technology Sydney. •
Manufacturing Design of the prototype or parts.
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Estimated Time / Completion Date
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Investigation and research
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Research based on published material to
gain in-depth understanding of the XBEE devices and Dynamic
C.
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1 – 2 Weeks /15th August 2008
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Submit Final Proposal with Blue form
and Appendix B
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Carry out a detailed analysis of the
information obtained from various sources and accommodate
any changes to the initial proposal. Re-negotiate
Deliverables and Proposal plan submission [Background
process]
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Submit a status report to supervisor
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Running sample programs and attempt to
communicate ASCII character from RF modules to the base
station and PC.
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2 Weeks /29th August 2008
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Document Findings ; Present and discuss
with supervisor
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Carry out research focusing on moisture
sensor and compatibility with the RF modules. This would
include refereeing to online journal databases, books,
forums etc
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3-4 Weeks / 3rd October 2008
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One page analysis on Rationale for
choosing a sensor model
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Decide on the right sensors and
document finding about compatibility issues, power
requirements, environmental constraints, efficiency and
reliability issues in detail.
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1 Week /10th October 2008
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Submit C routine and demonstrate a
working data logging structure.
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Write C routines to automate data
acquisition, Conduct tests and design architecture for data
collection in the system
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3 weeks /31st October 2008
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Demonstrate prototype to supervisor
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Compose a progress report and
demonstrate basic functionality achieved on devices.
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3 Weeks/21st November 2008
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Submit abstract for potential D/HD
grade
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Submit a 250-300 word abstract is
written in order to obtain a D/HD grade for Capstone Project
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Submit final thesis report with gold
assessment form and Appendix B
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Compose the final capstone report
thesis.
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12 weeks / 19th June 2009
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Capstone project poster presentation
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Complete the final presentation based
on the capstone report; Demonstrate a fully functional
prototype model meeting specifications and Poster.
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Milestones M001-M007 have been accomplished
with exception of M003 a brief demonstration of code,Data logging
and data storage.
1. Induction
1.1. Getting Familiar with xbee devices and RCM prototyping board
1.2. Acquisition of right tools – Reference books, manuals,
software, lab access, etc.
1.3. Documenting initial understanding of problem space
2. Research
2.1. Preliminary research for understanding complexity of the
problem.
2.2. On-going researches to acquire relevant material and knowledge
2.3. Researching to answer questions listed in Section Research
Areas of this page
2.4. Conducting Experiments to relate theory to practice and
verification of Results.
3. Experimentation
3.1. Conducting experiments with xbee modules under different
encapsulations [near field + far field effects]
3.2. Conducting experiments using spectrum Analyzer to gather data
based on signal strength in various physical conditions
3.3. Conducting Experiments on Battery Cell to create appropriate
estimates on battery life in different condition
3.4. Simulating heavy Data logging for exposing software defects
[Run-time Exceptions/Errors]
4. Design
4.1. Software Design
4.1.1. Drawing an initial conceptual Architecture of the System
4.1.2. Defining responsibilities of the components and constraints
associated
4.1.3. Identification and Acquisition of Software Development tools
and manuals
4.1.4. Testing Code for efficiency, correctness and run time
performance.
4.2. Hardware Design
4.2.1. Understanding the high level schematics of xbee boards and i/o
associated with its pins
4.2.2. Understanding power needs of a xbee boards in different sleep
configuration
4.2.3. Seeking a compatible moisture sensor with xbee
4.2.4. Designing water tight encapsulation for the module, power
supply and connections
4.2.5. Conducting tests on designed model for signal strength, water
insulation, accuracy of data and power utilization in worst case
scenario.
5. Programming
5.1. Programming xbee modules to behave as end nodes, routers or
coordinator
5.2. Coding a data logging application to interpret data packet into
readable format
5.3. Coding to link data logging to a active database to store
acquired data.
5.4. Make the whole application accessible remotely i.e. porting it
to a web-server[optional]
6. Documentation
6.1. Maintaining a log book, tracking approach and actions to tasks.
6.2. Documenting Engineering Faculty forms i.e. blue form, gold form
etc.
6.3. Preparing a proposal plan for supervisor review
6.4. Preparing a formal project plan and clearly listing Research
Areas/Questions
6.5. Preparing a intermediate progress and analysis reports
6.6. Designing poster
6.7. Preparing Slides for final Presentation
The different stages of the project follows
a systematic approach using Strategies and resources specified in
section F of the report to assure a deadlines being met. A brief
overview of the phases is as follows:
Inception phase
[understanding the objectives/device applications/constraints]:
Reading the User Manual Accompanied by the Rabbit Zigbee
Applications Kit and the Dynamic C software manual which is
fundamental to programming the Prototyping board. The inception
phase shall continue for 5 weeks
[28/08/2008 – 29/08/2008]
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After getting familiar with the
characteristic capabilities of the RCM3720 module and the nodes
by running sample programs. Duration: 2 weeks
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A simple mesh network would be aimed
for to be established which would communicate small bit of
information like ASCII characters being displayed on the screen.
Duration: 2 weeks
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Research on selecting a suitable soil
moisture sensor which is compatible with the RF module’s IO pins
and meets the power requirements. Duration: 2 weeks.
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Re-negotiate specification and
requirements of the system based on progress made on the
conceptualization of design.
Elaboration phase
[Acquisition of right resources]: On successful completion of the
familiarization process and comprehensive detailing of the various
sub-phases. The final plan finalized on Friday August 22, 2008 shall
include all the details about inclusions of research conducted on
suitable sensors and implementation details of the communication
between RF modules.
This phase shall require 3 weeks [22/8/2008
- 12/9/2008] of effort to select the right sensors and document
finding about compatibility issues, power requirements,
environmental constraints, efficiency and reliability issues in
detail.
A detailed and finalized report including
250-300 words abstract shall be submitted to the Supervisor for
consideration of a D/ HD mark due on 24/10/2008.
Researching and Designing phase:
This phase shall look more closely into constraints and issues
associated with using the available sensors/ designed prototype
which matches our specification for communication in a mesh
topology. Decisions on the system architecture [data logging-files,
IO and connection devices (adapters)] and then target is to get the
probes to trigger IO and saves entries at specific delays in time.
The research would include a detailed study of Communication
problems under the real environment which relates to embedding the
RF module with sensor underground. The tests would involve study of
signal strength based on depth under the ground level and moisture
in soil which could possibly cause attenuation or loss of data. This
Experimentation results shall indicate ideal operational environment
characteristics.
This phase shall continue for 6-10 weeks
[12/9/2008 – 21/11/2008] which would conclude with a demonstration
and submission of Progress Report [a copy of Appendix A to APO] to
the supervisor. The Target during these 6-10 weeks shall be to
achieve a basic level of control over the system by recording the
periodic outputs from the sensor communicated wirelessly to the base
station RCM Prototyping board and a simple data logging mechanism
established to conduct further analysis on the data.
Testing and Statistical Analysis
phase: This phase shall be conducted in the Capstone
project B (48026) during Autumn Semester 2009. The target would be
to conduct tests on the designed system and evaluate its
practicality. One of the concerns which are to be addressed is the
design of the cover for the RF module before installation and
attenuation [any reduction in the strength of a signal] perceived
when the module is installed beneath the soil surface.
The tests would indicate and support initial
research conducted on implementation constraints of the Zigbee
devices and % accuracy of the moisture sensors.
Final Report presentation and Demonstration
phase: This phase would be conducted during last 4 weeks of the
project schedule and shall include a professional representation of
compiled information from the conducted tests and display of a fully
functional prototype of the System.
Note: Although the phases do indicate
specific goals specified in terms of deliverable yet overlaps
and repetition of processes shall occur due to the nature of the
project. Mostly, the iterative loops shall occur while testing
and re-designing the intermediate elements. These phases and the
inclusions of intermediate deliverable shall be subject to
supervisor’s approval.
List of Research Questions:
Signal
Attenuation:
Q1 What affect does embedding the
xbee into soil have on its ability to communicate data?
Q2 What environmental conditions
affect the signal strength of the xbee i.e. is the
communication on a sunny day same as on a rainy day ?
Q3 What objects or material impede
the xbee communication?
Q4 What effect does the orientation
of the Antenna have on the Signal Strength?
Q5 How does near field and far field
range of an antenna effect when xbee is embedded in soil?
Power:
some questions that are yet to be answered while
exploration/experimentation on xbee devices.
Q1 What type of Battery is most suited for a xbee
attached to a moisture sensor?
Q2 How much power is consumed relative to the modes
of operation?
Q3 What is optimum sleep cycle for a longer battery
life?
Q4 Is size of battery a constraint?
Q5 How many data samples is most optimum? Is sample
size a concern with battery life?
Q6 What chemical composition or battery type is most
suited to the current profile (comsumption pattern of the
xbee)?
Q7 What is the power usage characteristic/profile in
periods of wakeup -> fetch data -> convert -> transmit
-> sleep ?
Below are some snapshots power usage
when transmission from the xbee node
sleep cycle: wakes up every 5 seconds
to take a sample, do some processing and transmit a sample :
Data Rate
Q1 what are the optimum Data rates
for System with thousands of xbee devices spread in a mesh
topology?
Q2 what effects does data rate have
on the over all performance of the system?
Accuracy
Q1 What mechanics can be employed to
verify the accuracy of moisture sensor reading ?
Q2 How can one verify the accuracy
of data packet(is checksum verification enough)?
Q3 What tests can be conducted to
verify the accuracy of developed logging
application/Database?
Algorithm
Q1 What type of algorithm enables
the a wireless sensor network to be Real-Time and multi-user
Accessible?
Q2 Discuss the Algorithm/Approach in
light of performance, reliability, usability and security of
the System?
Extensibility
Q1 What constraints require research
prior to commercial development from a prototype?
Q2 How effective is system under
high volume traffic conditions? What constraints does
high-volume traffic pose on capability of xbee devices?
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