Automated Smart Irrigation System

Abstract

The invention is a smart irrigation system that automates and optimizes water distribution for agricultural fields, improving water efficiency and significantly reducing manual intervention for farmers. The system is composed of a farm-side control unit, a remote sensing unit located at the water source, and a communication network that utilizes the LoRa protocol for long-range, low-power wireless communication. The control unit on the farm is responsible for managing irrigation schedules and monitoring soil moisture across various sections of the field. It receives real-time data from a network of soil moisture sensors placed strategically in different farm tracks. Based on this sensor data and pre-defined irrigation schedules, the control unit activates or deactivates water valves at the start of each track, controlling the flow of water to specific areas that require it. These schedules can be customized and uploaded to the system through a cloud server, enabling remote management and monitoring via a web interface. This cloud integration allows the farmer to access and adjust the irrigation settings from any location, facilitating efficient and tailored water usage. The remote sensing unit, installed near the water source such as a river or well, controls the water pump and is equipped with a float switch that continuously monitors the water level in the intake pipe. Before activating the pump, the float switch checks if there is sufficient water to prevent the motor from running dry, thereby protecting the equipment from potential damage. In cases where the water level is too low, the remote unit prevents the pump from operating and sends an alert back to the control unit. The control unit then notifies the farmer via SMS and dashboard notifications, enabling timely intervention to address any issues with the water supply. By integrating soil moisture detection, water level monitoring, automated valve control, and cloud- based scheduling, this system provides a comprehensive, energy-efficient, and sustainable solution for irrigation management. It reduces water waste, prevents equipment damage from dry runs, and frees the farmer from constant on-site supervision. This smart irrigation system supports improved crop yield, cost savings, and more sustainable agricultural practices, addressing key challenges in modern farming.

Specification

Description:4.1 Brief Description of the Invention:
The invention is a smart irrigation system designed to automate and optimize water flow
management across farm tracks, enhancing water efficiency and minimizing manual labor. The
system comprises a control unit (201), a remote sensing unit (101), and a communication module
(105), which collectively monitor soil moisture levels, control water distribution, and prevent motor
dry runs.
The control unit (201) is responsible for coordinating irrigation schedules and analyzing soil
moisture data received from the sensor network (204) positioned at strategic points on the farm.
The main controller (203) in the control unit processes this data, determining when each valve
should open or close to maintain optimal soil moisture. Based on pre-set schedules received from
the cloud server (207) and real-time sensor readings, the control unit dynamically manages the valve
control unit (205), activating or deactivating water flow in different tracks as required.
Communication between the control unit (201) and the remote sensing unit (101) is facilitated via

the wireless communication unit (206), which employs the LoRa protocol for long-range, low-
power data transmission. This ensures reliable communication across large agricultural areas

without the need for continuous internet connectivity.
The remote sensing unit (101) is located at the water source, such as a river or well, and includes a
float switch (106) that monitors the water level in the intake pipe. This float switch (106) sends data
to the controller (103) within the remote unit. Based on this input, the motor control unit (104)
activates the motor to pump water to the farm if the water level is sufficient. If the float switch (106)
detects a low water level, indicating a risk of a dry run, the motor is immediately turned off to
prevent damage. The remote sensing unit then relays a status update to the control unit (201), which
alerts the farmer via SMS and a dashboard notification, enabling prompt intervention.
The control unit (201) is also connected to a cloud server (207), allowing the farmer to set and
adjust irrigation schedules remotely. Through a web-based interface, the farmer can monitor the
system's operation and intervene manually if needed. This cloud integration ensures the system

operates autonomously in accordance with set schedules while providing the flexibility for on-
demand control.

The invention integrates soil moisture sensors (204), automated valves, IoT controllers (203, 103),
a motor control system, and LoRa-based wireless communication to deliver an intelligent, reliable,
and efficient irrigation solution. By minimizing water wastage, preventing equipment damage from
dry runs, and reducing manual intervention, the system provides significant operational advantages
for farmers.

4.2 Summary:

The invention is a smart irrigation system that automates and optimizes water distribution in farm
tracks by leveraging IoT technology, wireless communication, and cloud integration. It comprises
a control unit (201), a remote sensing unit (101), and communication modules (105, 206) using the
LoRa protocol to facilitate reliable, low-power communication between farm equipment and the
water source.
The control unit (201) manages soil moisture-based irrigation schedules with data from a sensor
network (204) and coordinates water flow through a valve control unit (205). Communication with
the remote sensing unit (101) allows the system to manage the motor operation at the water source,

where a float switch (106) prevents dry runs by monitoring water levels. If a dry run condition is
detected, the system notifies the farmer via SMS and a dashboard alert for prompt action.
The system integrates with a cloud server (207) to enable remote scheduling and monitoring,
providing farmers with a streamlined, autonomous irrigation process. This solution reduces water
wastage, prevents equipment damage, and alleviates the need for constant manual supervision,
contributing to sustainable and efficient farm management. , Claims:We Claim,
1. A smart irrigation system comprising:
a) Control unit (201) configured to manage and execute irrigation schedules based on soil
moisture levels;
b) Sensor network (204) positioned across various farm locations, capable of detecting soil
moisture and transmitting the data to the control unit (201);
c) Valve control unit (205) that activates or deactivates water flow to farm tracks in response to
signals from the control unit (201);
d) Cloud server (207) enabling remote scheduling and monitoring of irrigation, wherein the
control unit (201) retrieves the irrigation schedule from the cloud server (207) and operates
autonomously based on the schedule.

2. A remote sensing unit (101) in communication with the control unit (201), comprising:
a) Motor control unit (104) for activating or deactivating a water pump;
b) Float switch (106) configured to detect water levels at the intake of the water pump;
c) Controller (103) in the remote sensing unit (101) that receives data from the float switch (106)
and transmits signals to the motor control unit (104) to prevent dry runs by disabling the pump
when water levels are low.
3. The system of Claim 3, wherein the float switch (106) data is relayed from the remote sensing unit
(101) to the control unit (201) through the wireless communication module (105) using the LoRa
protocol, and wherein the control unit (201) alerts the farmer via SMS and dashboard notification if
a dry run condition is detected.

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