Low Cost Brix Measurement System for Grapes using Arduino Uno

Abstract

When grapes are at their peak sugar content for harvest, brix measurements play a main role in determining. Refractometers are a common instrument used to measure the content of sugar in the solution. Its main drawback is that it requires liquid or a solution of grapes or fruits and is a manual method. So, to avoid the distraction of grapes or fruits, this low-cost Arduino-based brix measurement system is designed and developed. The system contains a capacitive sensing element, signal conditioning, and signal processing. This paper exemplifies a brix computing system that uses an Arduino Uno as the controller and a capacitive sensor element to continuously detect the capacitance, dielectric constant, and brix level of grape which is displayed on a serial monitor of Arduino software. The time constant of the capacitor is a key component of the Arduino capacitance meter. The charge and discharge cycles of the capacitor take longer when the capacitance is higher. After signal conditioning, charging and discharging voltages of the capacitive sensor are given to an Arduino Uno. It has a percentage accuracy of 99%. This developed system is cost-efficient and handy.