Guided by Dr. B.

Raj Mohan

Previous Work done

The water supply for the sprinkler system was provided. The DCV was checked for its actuation using 12V power supply. The threshold value of the actuation of the sprinkler was experimentally determined. The study of soil characteristics was done.

Electronic system design

The actuation system requires a microcontroller system. The purpose of using microcontroller system is to provide a 12V DC to the DCV when the sensor gives appropriate output based on the dryness of soil. The microcontroller chosen is AVR(MEGA16)

Microcontroller specification
Microcontroller: Programmer: LCD: PC Comm Serial Link: IR Sensor: Motor Driver: Remote Control: ATMega16 USB ISP Programmer JHD162A USB UART Link None One L298 Dual Driver 2A None

Data sheet of ATMega16

Pin configuration of the microcontroller

Block diagram of the Architecture of the microcontroller

Microcontroller programming

Demonstration

Demonstration was done by manually integrating the electronic system with the DCV and the following pictures and videos were taken,

AVR MEGA16 connected to a PC

Sensor output is tested

Sensor output is interfaced with the microcontroller

The DCV is connected to the microcontroller along with the sensor output

Dynamic Voltage equivalent of moisture content being displayed on the Monitor screen

The microcontroller is programmed for independent functioning and is integrated in the system for demonstration

Problems encountered
Leakages at the water supply and the DCV was found. During the end of the demonstration, the potentiometer embedded in the board malfunctioned and hence needs to soldered again. Proper insulation should be provided for the electronic system from water and must be kept at some distance.