International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)

Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)

Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

IOT BASED AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM

S.D.Govardhan1 , S.Jancy Rani2, K. Divya3, R. Ishwariya4, C.T. Aegin Thomas5
Assistant Professor1, Student2,3,4,5
Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering
Coimbatore Institute of Engineering and Technology

.
ABSTRACT:
A resource that all living species need is the monsoons which is not sufficient
Water. It is therefore very precious and for source of water. This system will be a
enhancing agricultural productivity it is substitute to traditional farming method
the critical input. Therefore expansion, .We will develop such a system that will
of irrigation has been a key strategy in the help a farmer to know his field status in his
development of agriculture in country. home or he may be residing in any part of
Today, farmers have several issues in the world. It proposes automatic irrigation
agriculture due to lack of rains and scarcity system for the agricultural lands. Currently
of water. The main motto of this paper is the automation is one of the important role
to save time, money and power of in the human life. It not only provide
farmer with an automatic irrigation comfort but also reduce energy, efficiency
system. Manual intervention is required and time saving. Now the industries are
for the traditional farmland techniques. use automation and control machine which
Human intervention can be minimized is high in cost and not suitable for using in
with the automated technology of a farm field. So here it also design a smart
irrigation. By using soil moisture sensor irrigation technology in low cost which is
levels of soil moisture can be checked. usable by Indian farmers. An automated
Whenever there is a change in humidity irrigation system was technology in low
moisture in the soil this sensor senses cost which is usable by Indian farmers. An
the change and an -interrupt signal is automated irrigation system was
passed to the microcontroller and developed to optimize water use for
depending on this the irrigation system agricultural crops. Automation allows us
works. to control appliances automatically. The
The automated irrigation system objective of this paper is to develop IOT
provides a web interface to the user so based automated irrigation system to
that the user can monitor and control the reduce water requirement and increase the
system remotely i.e., can make the productivity. This system is best suited for
irrigation system ON and OFF remotely. places where water is scarce and has to be
INTRODUCTION: used in limited quantity.
EXISTING METHOD:
In India, agriculture plays an important
role for development in food production. The project irrigation control using tackle
In our country, agriculture are depends on the problems of agricultural sector

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 277

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

regarding irrigation at times, motor pumps Use of technology in the field of

are left running for longer than what is agriculture plays important role in
necessary because of the effort involved. increasing the production as well as in
In the existing system farmers have to reducing the extra man power efforts,
travel to fields often at odd hours just to water requirement and fertilizer
switch on/off the motor due to erratic requirement after the research in the
power supply. Existing aids like auto- agricultural field, researchers found that
starters are especially when a farmer in the yield of agriculture goes on decreasing
switching off. To overcome the drawbacks day by day.
of existing system like high cost, difficult Use of technology in the field of
in maintenance and more wired agriculture plays important role in
connection, we introduce a new system increasing the production as well as in
which will have wireless connection reducing the extra man power efforts,
between server and nodes. We introduce a water requirement and fertilizer
new design of embedded web server requirement. Internet of things helps the
making use of GSM network technology things to communicate each other using
in this paper. IOT module.
Compared to the wired link web server
system, this system is characterized by
having no wires between the web server Time based system
and terminal nodes. In proposed system In time based system, time is the basis of
the irrigation will take place only when irrigation. Time of operation is calculated
there will be intense requirement of water. according to volume of water required and
the average flow rate of water

Irrigation system uses valves to turn

irrigation on and off. These valves may be
easily automated by using controllers.
Automating farm or nursery irrigation
.
allows farmers to apply the right amount
of water. To avoid these problems a The duration of individual valves has to be
microcontroller based embedded after the fed in the controller along with system
research in the agricultural field; start time, also the controller clock is to
researchers found that the yield of beset with the current day and time. As the
agriculture goes on decreasing day by day. clock of the controller knocks the start
time of programme, it start sending signals

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 278

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

to the first automatic val vein the system takes over and makes detailed
programme sequence the pump also start decisions of when to apply water and how
up at the same time .As soon as duration of much water apply. Irrigation decisions are
first valveis over the controller either steps made and actions are carried out based on
or switches on to next valve .When the data from sensors. In this type of system,
operation of last valve is over controller the feedback and control of the system are
stop sending signals to valve sand sump done continuously.
same process is repeated at next run time.

Volume based system

In volume based system the pre-set

amount of water can be applied in the field
segments by using automatic volume
controlled metering valves. Automation
using volume based systems are of 2 types.
In first type of system automatic watering
valve with pulse output provide one pules Closed loop controllers required data
after completing one dial of the automatic acquisition of environment parameters
metering valve. Thus by counting the (such soil moisture, temperature, radiation,
number of pulses Received by the wind-speed, etc.) as well as system
controller it can count the volume of water parameters (pressure, flow etc.).
passed through. After providing required
Real time feedback system
volume of water through the first valve it
closes down and controller switches on the Real time feedback is the application if
next valve sequence. irrigation based on actual dynamic demand
of the plant itself, plant root zoon
In second type of system no controller
effectively reflecting all environmental
required .Automatic metering valves are
factors acting upon the plant .Operating
positioned near ach field segment. All
within controlled parameters ,the plant
automatic valves are interconnected in
itself determines the degree of irrigation
series with the help of control tube .For
required .Various sensors viz ,
automatic closing and opening of the
tensiometers , relative humidity sensors
valves with the help of water pressure
rain sensors ,temperature sensors etc.
signals components like t-connector
control the irrigation scheduling. These
shuttle valve and 3 way relay and also
circuit. During sequential operation only
installed along the
one automatic valve remains open. The
Closed loop system next valve in the series opens after the first
valve closes.
This type of system requires feedback
from one or more sensors. The operator Open loop system
develops a general control strategy. Once
the general strategy is defined the control

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 279

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

In on open loop system the operator system, and allow manual control of the
makes the decision on the amount of water system from a central point by remote
that will be applied and the when the operation of valves or other control
irrigation event will occur. This devices.
information is programmed into the
controller and the water is applied  Fully automatic systems that
according to the desired schedule. Open control the performance of the
loop control systems use either the system by automatically actuating
irrigation duration or a specified applied pumps, valves, etc. In response to
for control purposes. Open loop control feedback received from the
system typically low in cost and readily monitoring system. these system
available from a variety of vendors. use closed control loops which
include.
 Monitoring the state variables
(pressure, flow etc.)
 Comparing the state variables with
their desired or target state.
 Deciding what actions are
necessary to change the state of the
system
The drawback of open loop system is their  Carrying out the necessary actions.
inability to respond automatically to
 Performing these functions requires
changing conditions in the environment .In
a combination of hardware and
addition they may require frequent
software that must be implemented
Resetting to achieve high levels of
for each specific application
irrigation efficiency. sensors provide
feedback to the controller to control its
operation.
PROPOSED METHOD:
Computer based irrigation control
system: The main aim is to control the
water management for an irrigation system
A computer- based control system consists by automatic method. This method does
of a combination of hardware and software not require any manual operators. It is
that acts as a supervisor with the purpose designed to manage the irrigation system
of managing irrigation and other related based on the response to the real time
practices such as fertilization and status of the soil moisture. Irrigation
maintenance. Generally, the computer system controls valves by using automated
based control systems used to manage controller allows the farmer to apply the
micro irrigation systems .Can be divided right amount of water at the right time.
into two categories. Due to the variable atmospheric conditions
some may vary from place to place in
Interactive systems that collect and process
large house, which makes very difficult to
information from various points in the

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 280

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

maintain the uniformity at all the places in ripple or ac voltage variation. A regulator
the farmhouse manually. circuit removes the ripples and also
remains the same dc value even if the
input dc voltage varies. This voltage
regulation is usually obtained using one of
the popular voltage regulator IC units.

Transformer

The potential transformer will step down

For this GSM is used, it sends the report the power supply voltage (0-230V) to (0-
through the android mobile. So it reduce 15V and 0-9V) a level. If the secondary
runoff from over watering saturated soil, has less turns in the coil then the primary,
avoid irrigating at the wrong time .it also the secondary coil's voltage will decrease
helps in time and energy saving ,removal and the current or AMPS will increase or
of human error in adjusting available soil decreased depend upon the wire gauge.
moisture levels and to maximize their net This is called a STEP-DOWN
profits. transformer. Then the secondary of the
COMPONENTS DESCRIPTION: potential transformer will be connected to
the rectifier.

SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR:

It is used to sense the moisture of the soil

and sends the signals to the control system.
Soil moistures probes can be permanently
installed at representative in on
agricultural field to provide repeated
moisture readings over time that can be
POWER SUPPLY: used for irrigation management. Soil
moisture content may be determined via its
1.1 Block diagram effect on dielectric constant by measuring
the capacitance between two electrodes
implanted in the soil. If the moisture level
reaches the preset value, then the water is
sent to the crops.
The ac voltage, typically 220V rms, is
connected to a transformer, which steps PIC :
that ac voltage down to the level of the
The microcontroller that has been used for
desired dc output. A diode rectifier then
this project is from PIC series. PIC
provides a full-wave rectified voltage that
microcontroller is the first RISC based
is initially filtered by a simple capacitor
microcontroller fabricated in CMOS
filter to produce a dc voltage. This
(complimentary metal oxide semiconductor)
resulting dc voltage usually has some

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 281

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

that uses separate bus for instruction and completely separate from the first. For
data allowing simultaneous access of program example a low voltage battery circuit can
and data memory. use a relay to switch a 230V AC mains
circuit. There is no electrical connection
The main advantage of CMOS and RISC
inside the relay between the two circuits;
combination is low power consumption
the link is magnetic and mechanical. The
resulting in a very small chip size with a small
coil of a relay passes a relatively large
pin count. The main advantage of CMOS is
current, typically 30mA for a 12V relay,
that it has immunity to noise than other
but it can be as much as 100mA for relays
fabrication techniques.
designed to operate from lower voltages.
PIC (16F877) :
GSM MODULE
Various microcontrollers offer different kinds
of memories. EEPROM, EPROM, FLASH etc.
are some of the memories of which FLASH is
the most recently developed. Technology that
is used in pic16F877 is flash technology, so
that data is retained even when the power is
switched off. Easy Programming and Erasing
are other features of PIC 16F877. This is a plug and play GSM Modem with
PIC START PLUS PROGRAMMER :The PIC start a simple to interface serial interface. Use it
plus development system from microchip to send SMS, make and receive calls, and
technology provides the product do other GSM operations by controlling it
development engineer with a highly flexible through simple AT commands from micro
low cost microcontroller design tool set for all controllers and computers. It uses the
microchip PIC micro devices. highly popular SIM300 module for all its
operations. It comes with a standard
RELAY: RS232 interface which can be used to
easily interface the modem to micro
controllers and computers.The modem
consists of all the required external
circuitry required to start experimenting
with the SIM300 module like the power
regulation, external antenna, SIM Holder,
Relay is an electrically operated switch. etc.
Current flowing through the coil of the
relay creates a magnetic field which OPERATION:
attracts a lever and changes the switch
contacts. The coil current can be on or off An automated water irrigation system to
so relays have two switch positions and improve the efficient use of water. Water
they are double throw (changeover) level sensors and moisture sensors are
switches. Relays allow one circuit to placed in the fields to measure the water
switch a second circuit which can be level and moisture of soil in the field. The

@IJRTER-2017, All Rights Reserved 282

 International Journal of Recent Trends in Engineering & Research (IJRTER)
Conference on Electronics, Information and Communication Systems (CELICS’17)
Special Issue; March - 2017 [ISSN: 2455-1457]
DOI : 10.23883/IJRTER.CONF.20170331.052.KAGCL

water from the sump will be turned on Research in Computer and

automatically every day at a particular Communication Engineering Vol. 3,
time period. Immediately after the time Issue 2, February 2014.
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on and off mechanism will work for the based Automatic Irrigation
moisture rate around the field area. The Control System for Efficient Use of
system automatically irrigates the field Resources and Crop Planning by
through the entrance valve when the water Using an Android Mobile”, IOSR Journal
level is lower than the threshold level and of Mechanical and Civil
also according to the moisture of the soil. Engineering (IOSR-JMCE) Vol 11, Issue
The entrance valve closes after the water I, Jul-Aug 2014, pp 49-55.
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the GSM modem sends SMS about the M, Shruti. J, Smitha. P&Swati.
time taken to fill the farm with water to the C, “Irrigation Control System Using
farmer. In the existing system the farmer Android and GSM for Efficient
has to direct the water towards the desired Use of Water and Power”,International
farm manually. Farmer needs to go Journal of Advanced
directly to the field to direct the water to Research in Computer Science and
the next farm. Farmers have to monitor the Software Engineering, Volume
water level continuously to direct the flow 4, Issue 7, July 2014.
of water. The proposed system guarantees [4] Shiraz Pasha B.R., Dr. B Yogesha,
the efficient usage of water and also “Microcontroller Based
prevents the damage of crops due to Automated Irrigation System”, The
overflow of water. International Journal Of
Engineering And Science (IJES),
CONCLUSION: Volume3, Issue 7, pp 06-09, June
2014.
Since earlier days farmer is supposed to
[5] S. R. Kumbhar, Arjun P. Ghatule,
visit their agricultural land and check the
“Microcontroller based Controlled
moisture content of soil manually. This
Irrigation System for Plantation”,
method uses minimum human efforts and
Proceedings of the International
it allows the user can monitor and maintain
MultiConference of Engineers and
the moisture of the soil to the crop in an
Computer Scientists 2013Volume
effective and an economic way.
II, March 2013.
REFERENCES: [6] Yunseop (James) Kim, Member, IEEE,
[1] R.Suresh, S.Gopinath, K.Govindaraju, Robert G. Evans, and
T.Devika, William M. Iversen, “Remote Sensing and
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