Rooftop Garden and Lighting Automation by the Internet of Things (IoT)

Shahajan Miah1, S.M. Rakib Raihan1, Debasish Talukdar2, Shahnewas Sajib2, Md. Rakibul Alam Naim2,
Ummay Anisa2, Ummay Suaiba2
1,2
Department of EEE, Bangladesh University of Business & Technology, Dhaka-1216
Corresponding Author: Shahajan Miah

Abstract: Internet of Things (IoT) gives the ability to users to easily control more than digital things
through a comfortable GUI over the internet. The researchers focus on the use of IoT for home/industry
automation and monitoring various physical parameters over the internet. This internet of things project
proposed existing system improvements and innovative solutions to different problems. Internet of things
is a technology that runs into remote monitoring and controlling devices connected to it wirelessly.
Internet of Things (IoT) is advancement in technology that uses wireless sensor networks,
nanotechnology, and Miniaturization. The IoT is all about many physical devices interacting with each
other. Internet of things will provide faultless connectivity between the stuff in the virtual world and the
real world, thereby ensuring anytime, anywhere, anything communications. IoT will help the user
approach various applications more innovatively: a smart home, smart agriculture, intelligent industries,
or enterprise. The user can check the status of any resources in the network. IoT in use here will have its
approach for the local network created and thereby monitor the status of embedded devices and take
necessary measures passing commands controlling the devices that happen across the web server using
Ethernet protocols. This project aimed to develop a rooftop home gardening facility with the facility of
synchronizing utility grid to Moisture sensor and water pump; we have successfully created the central
concept of synchronization procedure and made this connect with a mobile device Bluetooth. Several
corrections and trial and error processes have been done to make this one functional. We have just shown
the process of synchronizing and switching mechanisms in this paper.

Keywords: IoT, Arduino Nano, Moisture Sensor, LDR, Relay, Microcontroller IC ATmega328P, Water Pump.

1.1 Introduction
Home automation is a technique to use a computer or Smartphone in controlling and monitoring Home
appliances and Home features. Directly maintaining and staying connected with the home systems used
every day via a mobile device would significantly enhance the quality of life. It is not only about remotely
controlling and monitoring the lights, fan, gas leakage, motion detection, and watering the garden from a
smart phone anywhere.
Again it is not merely about regularly tracking the security of home from workplace miles away. A smart
home can offer all of these – comfort, convenience, monetary savings, and safety. Many people lose their
interest in gardening because it needs a lot of effort to maintain the seedlings properly. Therefore, an
automated and quantified system to take care of plants can be a vital tool. The IoT is a forthcoming
technology that uses the internet to cover electronic/ mechanical bias, motorcars, and other physical
biases connected to the internet. Now, we are developing a system that consists of a distributed wireless
network of soil moisture, temperature, and ultrasonic sensor. The experiment required sensors, Arduino,
and pipes to supply water from a tank controlled by a gate. A moisture sensor was installed near the roots,
and a daylight sensor was installed further away to detect the sunbeam. These detectors shoot their data to
the Arduino to analyze. Also, there will be a Bluetooth device that connects the android device with an
app to control the automatic task manually. The main aim of this design is to save water and increase the
product of trees and shops in the theater by covering the growth of shops. With the help of detectors
controlled by Arduino, we designed a system to automatically sprinkle a precise quantum of water by
detecting soil humidity, daylight intensity, and water position. Each type of factory needs different soil
humidity for smooth growth. Hence the soil moisture is a critical variable that can determine the quantity
of water required. Besides, the availability of the amount of daylight is also very crucial for a tree. Wrong
timing of watering can cause more harm rather than a benefit.

1.2 Objective
The main objective of this project was to develop such a device by which we can control the water level
and lighting of rooftop garden using IOT.

2. Background
The concept of a smart home roof garden watering system is becoming popular every day by including
various features. In [1], the system uses Cortex-A8 and ZigBee. The system consists of three corridors
include a stoner intelligent control terminal, bedded home gateway, and home ZigBee wireless network. It
can perform functions similar as safety and alarm, inner terrain testing, ménage electrical things control
and intelligent lighting, and other functions. Druggies can pierce the Internet web to cover the home
furnishing ever. The druggies can also use a cell phone with Android smart furnishing control customer
operations to interact ever with home furnishing device.

In [2], the system uses Intel Galileo to integrate pall networking and wireless communication to give the
stoner remote control of colourful lights, suckers, and appliances within their home and store the data in
the gloom. The system will automatically change based on sensors’ data. This system is designed to be
low cost and expandable, allowing a variety of devices to be controlled. The advanced system monitors
the detector data, like temperature, gas, light, stir detectors, and actuates a process according to the
demand. For example, it is switched in the morning when it gets dark. It also stores the detector
parameters in the pall (Gmail) instantly. This will help the stoner to dissect the condition of colorful
parameters in the home anytime, anywhere.

In [3], an Android-based home automation system that allows multiple users to control the appliances by
an Android application or through a website is presented. The system has three hardware components: a
local device to transfer signals to home appliances, a webserver to store customer records and support
services to the other components, and a mobile smart device running an Android application. Distributed
cloud platforms and services of Google are used to support messaging between the parts. Distributed
cloud platforms and services of Google are used to support messaging between the components. Such a
design of service and data distribution through public and free Google platforms makes the system cost-
effective.

In [4], the model includes soil moisture, temperature and pressure sensors to monitor the irrigation
operations. Specifically, we consider the case where a system malfunction occurs, such as when the pipes
burst or the emitters block. Also, we differentiate two primary traffic levels for the information
transmitted by the WSAN, and we use an adequate priority-based routing protocol to achieve high QoS
performance. Simulations conducted over the NS-2 simulator show promising results in terms of delay
and Packet Delivery Ratio (PDR), mainly for priority traffic.

In [5], the system has a distributed wireless network of soil moisture & temperature sensors placed in the
root zone of plants. Gateway unit handles sensor information, triggers actuators, and transmits data to a
web application. An algorithm was developed with threshold values of sensors programmed into a
microcontroller-based gateway to control water quantity.

In [6], the research field of wireless sensor network power-efficient time is a significant issue that can be
overcome by using ZigBee technology. The main idea is to understand how data travels through wireless
medium transmission using WSN and a monitoring system. The design of an irrigation system is
automated by using controllable parameters such as temperature, soil moisture and air humidity because
they are the essential factors to be controlled in PA(Precision Agriculture).
In [7], it proposes a technique of real-time spatial interpolation using nearby ASW to predict real-time
local weather parameters. It also offers a correction technique by using sparse WSN with a soil moisture
sensor installed in it.

3. Theory of the Project

3.1 Arduino Nano:
Arduino is an open-source electronics prototyping platform grounded on flexible, easy-to-use tackle &
software. It's intended for artists, contrivers, potterers and anyone interested in creating interactive objects
or surroundings. Arduino can smell the terrain by entering input from colourful detectors and can affect
its surroundings by controlling lights, motors, and other selectors.

Arduino programming language on the board of the microcontroller ( predicated on Wiring) and the
Arduino development terrain ( dropped on Processing). Arduino systems can be stand-alone or
communicate with software on running on a computer (e.g. Flash, Processing, MaxMSP). Arduino Nano
is a face mount breadboard bedded interpretation with integrated USB. It's the lowest, complete, and
breadboard-friendly. It has everything that Diecimila/ Duemilanove has (electrically) with other analogue
input legs and onboard 5V AREF muumuu. Physically, it's missing a power jack. The Nano is
automatically sensed and switched to the advanced implicit source of power.

Fig. 3.1: Arduino Nano

3.2 Microcontroller IC ATmega328P:

Fig. 3.2: Microcontroller IC ATmega 328P

The high- performance Microchip picoPower 8- bit AVR RISC- grounded microcontroller combines
32KB ISP flash memory with read- while-write capabilities, 1024B EEPROM, 2KB SRAM, 23 general
purpose I/ O lines, 32 general purpose working registers, three flexible timekeeper/ counters with
compare modes, internal and external interrupts, periodical programmable USART, a byte- acquainted 2-
line diurnal interface, SPI periodical harborage, a 6- channel 10- bit A/ D motor (8- channels in TQFP and
QFN/ MLF packages), programmable watchdog timekeeper with central oscillator, and five software
swithable power saving modes. The device operates between1.8-5.5 volts. By executing important
instructions in a single timer circle, the device attains outputs talk to 1 MIPS per MHz stabalize power
expenditure and refining speed.

3.3 Water Pump:

This water pump is a low-cost, small-sized Submersible Pump Motor that can operate from a 2.5-6V
power force. This water pump can take up to 120 liters per hour with low current consumption of 220mA.
Connect the tube pipe to the motor outlet, submerge it in water, and power it. Make sure that the water
position is always advanced than the motor. A dry run may damage the engine due to heating. It will also
produce noise—micro DC 3-6V Micro Submersible Pump Mini water pump For Fountain Garden Mini
water circulation System DIY project.
 Fig. 3.3: Schematic diagram of submersible pump mini.

3.4 Moisture Sensor

This Humidity Sensor uses Immersion Gold which protects the nickel from oxidation. Electroless nickel
absorption gold (ENIG) has several advantages over different conventional (and cheaper) face platings
similar to HASL (solder), including excellent face planarity ( particularly helpful for PCB's with large
BGA packages), good oxidation resistance, and usability for undressed contact shells similar as
membrane switches and contact points. This Humidity Detector can read the quantum of humidity present
in the soil girding it. It's a low-tech sensor but ideal for monitoring an urban garden or your pet plant's
water level.

This Moisture Sensor may be used to discover the moisture of soil or decide if there may be water across
the sensor, allowing the flora to your lawn to attain out for human assist. They may be very to use; insert
it into the soil after which examine it. With the assist of this sensor, it will likely be realizable to make the
plant remind you: Hey, I am thirsty now; please provide me a few glasses of water. This humidity
sensor uses the two probes to skip contemporary via the soil, after which it reads that resistance to get the
humidity level. More water makes the soil behavior energy more excellent quickly (much
less resistance), while dry soil conducts energy poorly (more excellent resistance). It may be beneficial to
remind you to water your indoor flora or display the soil moisture to your lawn. The 10 Expansion Shield
is the precise guard to attach this senor to Arduino. This object has low strength consumption
and excessive sensitivity, which can be the most significant trait of this module. This object may be like
minded with Arduino UNO Arduinomega 2560‘ Arduino ADK etc
 Fig. 3.4: Moisture Sensor

3.5 Bluetooth Module HC-05

HC-05 module is an associate easy-to-use Bluetooth SPP (Serial Port Protocol) module designed for
a straightforward wireless serial affiliation setup. The Port Bluetooth module is qualified Bluetooth
V2.0+EDR (Enhanced knowledge Rate) 3Mbps Modulation with complete 2.4GHz radio transceiver and
baseband. It uses a CSR Bluecore 04-External single-chip Bluetooth system with CMOS technology and
AFH(Adaptive Frequency Hopping Feature). It's a footprint as tiny as 12.7mmx27mm. I
hope it'll alter your overall design/development cycle.

Fig. 3.5: Bluetooth HC-05

3.6 Relay
The more commonly used device in electronics is relays. Let's learn how to use one in our
circuits according to the requirements of our project. Before proceeding with the course to drive
the relay, we need to consider two critical relay parameters.
The trigger voltage; is the voltage necessary to turn on the relay which must change the contact
from Common> NC to Common> NO. Our relay here has a trigger voltage of 5V, but you can also find
relays with values of 3V, 6V, and even 12V, so select one according to the voltage available in
your design. The other parameter is the load voltage and current, and this is the amount of voltage or
current that the NC, NO, or joint terminal of the relay could withstand; in our case, for direct current, it
is at the maximum 30 V and 10 A. Make sure the load you are using is within this range.

Fig. 3.6: Relay

3.7 LDR
The resistance is very top in the darkness, almost as tall as 1MΩ, but when the light falls on the LDR, the
resistance drops to a few KΩ depending on the model. Light-dependent resistors are available in
completely different shapes and colors. LDRs square measure helpful in several electronic
circuits, particularly in alarms, switch devices, clocks, street lights, and more. Their square measure some
audio application uses, like audio limiters or compressors. It's accustomed to activate or OFF a
tool consistent with the close lightweight.

Fig. 3.7: LDR

4. Design and Fabrication

4.1 Block Diagram

Fig: 4.1: Block Diagram

4.2 Circuit Description

The main component of this project is the ArduinoNano (Atmega 328P) microcontroller IC. This is
operated by a regulated 5V supply voltage driven by a 7805 regulator IC. Another critical component of
this device is the Bluetooth module (HC05) which enables wireless communication between
microcontrollers IC with a mobile phone.

Fig. 4.2: Circuit Diagram

4.3 Working Principle
The Moisture Sensor detects the layer of the water level of the soil. If the percent of the group goes below
our expected ratio, then the water pump will generate water for that rooftop garden. Also, the LDR sensor
will detect whether it is day or night. If it's night, the LDR will be open, and the lights will be ON.

4.4 Arduino Software:

The bright microcontroller unit named Arduino Uno can be programmed with the Arduino software.
There is no requirement for installing software other than Arduino. Firstly, Select "Arduino Uno from the
Tools, Board menu (according to the microcontroller on your board). The IC used, named ATmega328 on
the Arduino Uno, comes pre burned with a boot loader that allows you to create new code to it without
using an external hardware programmer.

Fig. 4.4: Arduino Software Interface IDE

Communication uses the original STK500 protocol (reference, C header files). We can also bypass the
boot loader and program the microcontroller through the header's ICSP (In-Circuit Serial Programming).
The microcode ASCII text file is offered for ATmega16U2 (or 8U2 within the rev1 and rev2 boards). The
ATmega16U2/8U2 is filled with a DFU boot loader, which may be undertaken By: On Rev1 panels:
connecting the solder jumper on the rear of the board (near the map of Italy) then resetting the 8U2. Rev2
or later boards: A resistance pulls the 8U2/16U2 HWB line to the bottom, creating it easier to place into
DFU mode.

The Arduino Uno is one of the top intelligent microcontroller units and has more provision for acting with
a laptop, another Arduino, or substitute microcontrollers. The ATmega328 gives UART TTL at (5V) with
serial communication, which is available on digital pins 0 -(RX) for receiving the data and pin no.1 (TX)
for transmitting the data. An ATmega16U2 on the panel channels this serial communication over USB
and seems like a virtual com port to package on the pc. The '16U2 code uses quality USB COM drivers,
and no external driver is required.

However, on Windows, a .inf file is needed. The Arduino package includes a serial

monitor that permits accessible matter knowledge to be sent to and from the Arduino board. The RX
and Texas LEDs on the board can flash once knowledge is transmitted via the USB-to-serial chip and
USB association to the pc (but not for serial communication on pins zero and 1). A software
package Serial library permits serial communication on any Uno's digital pins. The
ATmega328 additionally supports I2C (TWI) and SPI communication. The Arduino software includes a
Wire library to simplify the use of the I2C bus. Arduino programs are written in C or C++, and the
program code written for Arduino is called a sketch. The Arduino IDE uses the GNU toolchain and AVR
Libc to compile programs, and for uploading the plan, it uses avrdude. As the Arduino platform uses
Atmel microcontrollers, Atmel's development environment, AVR Studio, or the newer Atmel Studio may
also develop software for the Arduino.

4.5 Proteus Software:

The Proteus style Suite could be a proprietary computer code tool suite used primarily for
electronic style automation. The computer code is employed mainly by electronic style engineers and
technicians to make schematics and electronic prints for producing computer circuit boards. The first
version of the Proteus style Suite was known as PC-B and was written by the corporate chairman, John
Jameson, for DOS in 1988. Schematic Capture support followed in 1990 with a port to the
Windows setting shortly thenceforth.
Mixed-mode SPICE Simulation was initially integrated into Proteus in 1996, and microcontroller
simulation then arrived in Proteus in 1998. Shape-based auto-routing was another in 2002, and 2006 saw
another major product update with 3D Board visualization. Additionally, an obsessive IDE for simulation
was another in 2011, and MCAD import/export was enclosed in 2015. Support for high-
speed style was another in 2017. Feature led product releases are typically biannual, while maintenance
based service packs are released as required.

Fig. 4.5: Proteus Software Interfac

4.6 Microcontroller Simulation:
The micro-controller simulation in Proteus software works by applying either a hex file or a rectify file to
the microcontroller half on the schematic. It has then co-simulated with any analog and digital, physical
science connected. This permits its use in an exceedingly broad spectrum of project prototyping
in control, temperature management, and computer program style. It conjointly finds use within
the general amateur community and, since no hardware is needed, is convenient to use as a coaching or
teaching tool. Support is offered for co-simulation of:

 Microchip Technologies PIC10, PIC12, PIC16, PIC18, PIC24, dsPIC33 Microcontrollers.

 Atmel AVR (and Arduino), 8051 and ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontrollers
 NXP 8051, ARM7, ARM Cortex-M0 and ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontrollers.
 Texas Instruments MSP430, PICCOLO DSP and ARM Cortex-M3 Microcontrollers.
 Parallax Basic Stamp, Free scale HC11, 8086 Microcontrollers.

4.7 PCB Design:

The PCB module is automatically given connectivity information in a net list from the schematic capture
module. It applies this information and the user-specified design rules and various design automation
tools to assist with error-free panel design. PCBs of up to 16 copper formations can be produced with
design size limited by a product configuration.
 Fig. 4.7: PCB Design
4.8 3D Verification:
The 3D Viewer module permits the board below development to be viewed 3D with a semi-transparent
height plane representing the board’s enclosure. STEP output will then be wont to transfer to mechanical
CAD package like Solid works or Autodesk for correct mounting and positioning of the board.

Fig. 1.10.8: 3D Verification

5. Result:
The proposed method consists of different sensors like moisture, LDR. Initially, the Arduino connects to
the sensor and can connect through Bluetooth in mobile devices so that anyone can manually start to open
the water pump and the lights on or off. As our project is first, it will detect the sun through an LDR
sensor for monitoring the farm if there is night, then the LDR sensor will turn ON the light. The Moisture
Sensor will detect the water level in the soil if that value is less or equal to 700, which means the water
level is in a good position, but if the level is greater than or equal to 900, then it will start supply water
automatically. The water pump will connect with Arduino, and it will configure with delay time for dry
soil.
6. Cost Estimation:
S.l.No Particulars Specification Qty. Unit Price Total Price
(Taka) (Taka)

1 Arduino Nano Atmega 328p 1 280 280

2 LDR 1 200 200

3 Moisture Sensor 1 120 120

4 Water Pump  3-9v,400mAh 1 300 300

5 DC Gear Motor 5v, 400mAh 1 120 120

6 Voltage Regulator LM 7805 1 7 7

7 Transformer 220/12V, 3amps 2nos 350 700

8 Bridge 2W10  1 6 6

9 Capacitor 1000f, 25V 1 8 8

10 Relay 4 channel 1 250 250

11 Bluetooth Module HC- 1 250 250

05
  Total 2241/=

Table 1: Cost Estimation of the Device

7. Conclusion
This project aims to examine how the moisture sensor can detect the water level. We also provide a
daylight sensor for the light system for the garden at night and using Arduino Nano. We configure our
Water Pump to manually use our mobile phone using Bluetooth with Arduino to call the pump to generate
water when it's below the low level of water. This project implements an efficient way to electrify or
generate electricity using an energy harvesting circuit. Finally, we have completed our project
successfully.

8. References
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering (IJETAE) Volume 3,
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International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering (IJETAE) Volume 3,
Issue 3, March 2013.
[3] Jigyasa Mishra, ApoorvSrivastav, Rahul Jain, “Arduino Based LCD Display”, International
Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering (IJETAE) Volume 3, Issue 5, June
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[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bluetooth
[6] http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/bluetooth1.htm
[7] https://www.bluetooth.com/what-is-bluetoothtechnology/bluetooth-technology-basics
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[9] http://www.slideshare.net/kashyapshah11/bluetooth
[10] http:://m.instructables.com/id/Arduino-AND-BluetoothHC-05-Connecting-easily/?ALLSTEPS
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Wireless Communications, IEEE, vol. 12, no. 1, pp.12-26, February 2005.