Department Of Electrical and Computer Engineering Senior Project Showcase

Embedded Monitoring and Control System for a Greenhouse Kevin Scarberry Major: Computer Engineering. Graduates: Dec. 2005 (Senior) Project Advisor: Dr. Gregory Kriehn
Through the use of an embedded monitoring and control system, a machine can assume much of the labor involved with a greenhouse. With a sensor array including temperature, luminosity, humidity, and soil moisture, the conditions of the greenhouse can be closely monitored. Adding control over artificial light banks, irrigation, and humidity, the system can manage the inputs in the greenhouse, thereby minimizing waste and increasing yields of crops. If a situation arises that the system cannot compensate for, the user is alerted through email or SMS (via an SMS/mobile network gateway). This system is user-configurable through a built-in web server from any standard web browser (e.g. Firefox, Internet Explorer, or Konquorer). I am implementing this embedded system with Dallas Semiconductor’s TINI reference board connected to my sensor boards over the Dallas 1-Wire network. Several of the sensors will be mounted on a remote probe that will be placed in the soil next to the plants to be monitored. A control board, connected over 1-Wire will drive output lights as well as control the irrigation valves and humidifier. An integrated Ethernet controller provides connection to the Internet. The web server, monitoring, and maintenance software will be programmed via Java.

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