Synchronizing irrigation hours for automation control in tropical greenhouse electronic system

Abstract

Automation system in greenhouse involves with two main elements which are software and mechanical system. Software is used to process data and initiate the result for the mechanical part to perform the process. One of the critical issue in tropical greenhouse is its irrigation time for watering and cooling the air space in greenhouse. There is an extreme condition during day time at which cause the plants overheated. This condition could be improved by spraying waters to lower down the temperature. A unique control using synchronizing method against weather parameters has been designed. Three weather sensors are used to measure temperature, humidity and irradiance. The measured data are integrated to determine the interval irrigation time throughout the day time so that the plants will get sufficient waters and the temperature for the greenhouse is also maintained at room level. In the system three sensors were used for monitoring temperature, humidity and sun intensity (irradiance). The data from the sensors are calculated to produce multiplying factor for the control algorithm to perform autonomous adjustment for the irrigation time. The algorithm also involves with a constant K which is applied as weather setting. The weather setting is manually set associated with the local weather such as dry climax, raining and hot weather. Every 20 minutes the data sensors are processed through the algorithm to produce new interval time. The sufficient number of intervals per day and precise time to activate water sprinkler will make the condition in the greenhouse conducive for plant that would promote healthy growth for plants in the greenhouse.