Design of a Smart Farming System - Electronic Engineering Guide
1. Introduction
The Smart Farming System is designed to modernize traditional farming methods using embedded electronics and IoT. It involves real-time monitoring and control of various agricultural parameters to enhance productivity, efficiency, and resource utilization.
2. Objectives
• Monitor soil moisture, temperature, and humidity in
real-time.
• Automate irrigation based on soil condition.
• Use IoT to send data to a remote dashboard.
• Improve decision-making with accurate sensor-based data.
3. Components Required
• Arduino Uno / ESP32 / NodeMCU
• Soil Moisture Sensor
• DHT11/DHT22 (Temperature and Humidity Sensor)
• Water Pump Relay Module
• Wi-Fi Module (if not inbuilt)
• 16x2 LCD Display (optional)
• Jumper Wires and Breadboard
• 12V DC Pump and Power Supply
• Blynk or ThingSpeak IoT Platform
4. Working Principle
Sensors collect environmental data such as soil moisture, temperature, and humidity. The microcontroller processes this data to control a water pump based on pre-defined thresholds and sends the data to an IoT platform for remote access.
5. System Architecture
1. Sensors monitor field parameters.
2. Data is processed by the microcontroller.
3. Relay triggers pump based on soil moisture level.
4. IoT platform displays real-time stats to users.
5. Optional: Alerts and remote control via mobile app.
6. Sensor and Module Integration
• Soil sensor → Analog input to Arduino (e.g., A0)
• DHT sensor → Digital input (e.g., D2)
• Relay module → Digital output (e.g., D4) to control water pump
• ESP32/NodeMCU handles Wi-Fi and sends data to IoT platform
7. Microcontroller and Communication Setup
The ESP32 or NodeMCU microcontroller reads all sensor data and connects to Wi-Fi to upload data to a cloud platform. Control logic is programmed using Arduino IDE.
8. IoT Platform Integration
• Use Blynk, ThingSpeak, or Firebase for IoT dashboard.
• Connect ESP via Wi-Fi to upload sensor values.
• Users can monitor environmental data and optionally turn pump on/off
remotely.
9. Software Flow and Code Logic
• Read soil moisture, temperature, and humidity.
• If soil moisture < threshold, activate pump.
• Upload data to cloud.
• Repeat periodically (every few seconds/minutes).
10. Power Supply and Energy Considerations
• Use 5V USB or regulated adapter for ESP.
• Use relay-isolated power for water pump.
• For outdoor use, consider solar panel and Li-ion battery system.
11. Applications
• Precision agriculture
• Smart greenhouses
• Remote farm monitoring
• Urban rooftop gardening systems
12. Limitations and Future Scope
• Wi-Fi connectivity issues in rural areas.
• Sensor degradation over time in soil.
• Future additions: AI for crop health analysis, weather integration, mobile
notifications, GPS tracking.
13. Conclusion
The Smart Farming System combines electronic sensors, automation, and IoT to deliver a modern and efficient farming solution. It offers a sustainable and scalable system for improving agricultural productivity and resource management.