Developing Wireless Sensor Networks for Monitoring Crop Canopy Temperature Using a Moving Sprinkler System as a Platform

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to characterize wireless sensor nodes that we developed in terms of power consumption and functionality, and compare the performance of mesh and non-mesh wireless sensor networks (WSNs) comprised mainly of infrared thermometer thermocouples located on a center pivot lateral and in the field below. The sensor nodes mounted on masts fixed to the lateral arm of a center pivot irrigation system functioned to monitor crop canopy temperatures while the system moved; the sensor nodes established in the field below the pivot were to provide stationary reference canopy temperatures. The WSNs located in cropped fields independent of the irrigation system functioned in a highly reliable manner [packet reception percentage (PRP) > 94]. Mesh-networking was the single communication protocol that provided functionality for the WSN located on the center pivot lateral. Its PRP was 84 and 87 during the 2007 and 2008 growing seasons, respectively. Future research is required for thorough testing and optimizing of WSNs for automatic control and irrigation scheduling of a center pivot system.