Non-invasive, energy-autonomous and wireless temperature sensor for the process industy
Temperature sensors for application in the process industry are typically mounted in a thermowell. These tubular fittings penetrate the surface of e.g. a pipe and allow to insert a temperature sensing element into the process medium. Although this invasive sensing is state-of-the-art, thermowells suffer from significant drawbacks: Any pipe penetration is a potential cause for leakage and the thermowell itself is prone to corrosion, abrasion and bending stress. Avoiding the thermowell by measuring temperature on the surface of the process container was so far not considered a widespread alternative to invasive sensing. The temperature of the surface is generally not considered representative for the temperature of the process medium. A surface sensor is strongly exposed to the ambient condition and, furthermore, the calibration of such a surface sensor is challenging. In this paper we demonstrate how to overcome these limitations by an optimized thermo-mechanical design and enhanced model-based sensing. In combination with energy autonomous operation and wireless communication our novel non-invasive sensor offers a remarkable flexibility enabling scenarios discussed within the context of internet of things (IoT).
Development of smart chicken poultry farm
In Malaysia, most agriculture industries are still using conventional method to operate. All routines in monitoring and control of chicken poultry farm, for example, utilise man power where the source and energy are very limited. However, the demand from consumers towards the agricultural output is increasing day by day and requires more advanced farming technology in order to obtain maximum efficiency. This paper is focused on the development of smart chicken poultry farm to provide monitoring and control of the farm condition. The electronics, embedded systems and wireless technology are integrated with farm monitoring. Using Master-Slave concept, sensors are used to measure the ambient temperature, ammonia and humidity of the hall of chicken poultry for each slave. The sensors’ readings are then transmitted wirelessly over radio frequency by serial communication using HC-12 RF module to master for further data processing. The design process of both master and slave involved the interfacing of microprocessor, ATMEL ATMega328 with several analogue sensors, LCD, buzzer, relay output, monetary push button and light indicator. Based on the readings from the sensors, the microcontroller produced the output which is connected to the fan for better air ventilation in the chicken poultry farm. Furthermore, PID controller has been integrated to optimize the output control method, hence optimizing hall condition which results to better output for the farm. The system has been successfully implemented and tested at Myra Farm & Services, located at Kalumpang, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia. In Malaysia, most agriculture industries are still using conventional method to operate. All routines in monitoring and control of chicken poultry farm, for example, utilise man power where the source and energy are very limited. However, the demand from consumers towards the agricultural output is increasing day by day and requires more advanced farming technology in order to obtain maximum efficiency. This paper is focused on the development of smart chicken poultry farm to provide monitoring and control of the farm condition. The electronics, embedded systems and wireless technology are integrated with farm monitoring. Using Master-Slave concept, sensors are used to measure the ambient temperature, ammonia and humidity of the hall of chicken poultry for each slave. The sensors’ readings are then transmitted wirelessly over radio frequency by serial communication using HC-12 RF module to master for further data processing. The design process of both master and slave involved the interfacing of microprocessor, ATMEL ATMega328 with several analogue sensors, LCD, buzzer, relay output, monetary push button and light indicator. Based on the readings from the sensors, the microcontroller produced the output which is connected to the fan for better air ventilation in the chicken poultry farm. Furthermore, PID controller has been integrated to optimize the output control method, hence optimizing hall condition which results to better output for the farm. The system has been successfully implemented and tested at Myra Farm & Services, located at Kalumpang, Tanjung Malim, Perak, Malaysia.
PRECISION FARMING APPROACHES TO SMALL-FARM AGRICULTRUE
Precision farming implies a management strategy to increase productivity and economic returns with a reduced impact on the environment. It is based on the application of information technology to a description of variability in the field, variable-rate operations and the decisionmaking system. There are three technology levels and three strategies in the development of precision farming. Precision farming practices can be used on small farms as well as big ones, and they play a core role in rural development programs which are integrated with industry. A real-time soil spectrophotometer was developed to describe soil variability in farmers' fields, to be used in precision farming.