Aditya Patent Annexure
Aditya Patent Annexure
• How My Invention Overcomes These Limitations: The Smart Irrigation System automates the irrigation
process, utilizing real-time data from soil moisture sensors and weather stations delivering just
enough water necessary. This curtails water wastage, improves crop health and reduces labour
costs. Moreover, remote monitoring and control capabilities make it easier to manage and
adjust this system.
• Existing Technologies: Today’s smart irrigation systems mainly use soil moisture sensors or weather-based
controllers to regulate water usage. Rain Bird, Hunter Industries, Netafim among others provide systems
that automate irrigation based on pre-set schedules as well as sensor feedback.
• Technological Advancements: Integration of IoT (Internet of Things) in agriculture has led to the
development of more sophisticated systems that use cloud computing, mobile apps, and real-time data
analytics to optimize irrigation.
Research Gap:
• Integration and Scalability: Many existing systems do not seamlessly integrate multiple types of sensors nor
do they scale well for different field sizes or crops.
• Data Analytics: An enhanced data analytic approach and machine learning algorithms are needed to enable
the prediction of irrigation needs using historical, real time and weather forecast information.
• Cost and Accessibility: The high cost and intricate setup and maintenance procedures limit the
implementation of smart irrigation systems, especially for small scale farmers.
• Sustainability: The high cost and intricate setup and maintenance procedures limit the implementation of
smart irrigation systems, especially for small scale farmers.
C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
• The field has soil moisture sensors that are distributed at intervals which continually monitor water content
in it. These sensors are linked up by a central control unit that gathers the data and analyses it. This control
unit is also connected with a weather station that provides weather updates in real time. With this information,
an algorithm of this system is able to schedule the best possible timing for irrigation while managing on flow
rate of water supply. Furthermore, it is possible to check the performance of this system from any distance
by means of mobile application.
• Results:
o Water Savings: It has been observed during experiments carried out in fields that there has been
a 30% decrease in water usage compared with regular styles used by farmers.
o Crop Yield Improvement: When Smart Irrigation System was used, crops irrigated showed 20%
increase in their yield.
o Labour Efficiency: The demand for labour of monitoring and adjusting manually has been reduced
due to automation which therefore saves time and reduces labour costs.
o Environmental Impact: There is a reduction in water wastage, leading to conservation of water
bodies and reducing the risks of soil erosion and leakage of nutrients.
• Advantages:
o Efficiency: Optimal soil moisture levels are achieved when real-time data is used to ensure precise
water delivery, this improves plant health, productivity and limits water wastage.
o Scalability: Small or large fields can be accommodated by the system thus making it suitable for
different field sizes and crop types.
o Cost-Effectiveness: It is affordable because it employs cheap sensors as well as renewable forms
of energy hence accessible by diverse users.
o Ease of Use: This provides convenience and flexibility for farmers through remote monitoring/
control via mobile app.
o Sustainability: By being solar powered and conserving water, the system supports sustainable
agricultural practices.
E. ALTERNATIVES/ EXPANSION:
• Alternatives:
o Traditional Irrigation Systems: They have manual or timer-based controls which do not integrate
real-time data leading to inefficient use of water in some circumstances.
o Other Smart Irrigation Solutions: These might provide similar functionalities but at higher costs
with limited integration analytics on data as well as machine learning aspects.
• Expansion Opportunities:
o Additional Sensors: Integrate sensors for monitoring soil nutrients, pH levels, and other
environmental factors to provide a more comprehensive soil health profile.
o Integration with Other Systems: Connect with farm management software, weather forecasting
services, and other IoT devices for a holistic approach to farm management.
o Machine Learning and AI: Enhance predictive analytics and automated decision-making capabilities
using advanced machine learning and AI algorithms.
o Renewable Energy Sources: Explore the use of wind or hybrid renewable energy systems to power
the irrigation system.
o Customized Solutions: Develop tailored solutions for specific crops, climates, and regions,
addressing unique agricultural challenges.
Working Prototype: The current working prototype includes the following components:
• Soil Moisture Sensors: Capacitive sensors placed at different locations in the field to provide real-time soil
moisture data.
• Control Unit: A Raspberry Pi 4 with custom software that collects data from the sensors and controls the
irrigation valves based on the algorithm.
• Weather Station: Integrated sensors that measure temperature, humidity, and rainfall, providing crucial
weather data to the control unit.
• Irrigation Valves: Electrically operated valves controlled by the control unit to regulate water flow.
• Communication Module: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules for remote monitoring and control via a mobile app.
• Power Supply: A solar panel system with battery backup to ensure uninterrupted operation.
Design:
• The system is designed to be modular, allowing for easy expansion and customization based on the specific
needs of different fields and crops.
• The control unit is housed in a weatherproof enclosure to protect it from environmental factors.
• Sensors are placed at strategic locations to ensure comprehensive soil moisture monitoring.
• The mobile app interface is user-friendly, allowing farmers to easily monitor and control the system.