Automated Hydroponics Monitoring and Control System
Course Instructor
Pramod Gupta
Abstract
This project is an automated hydroponics system designed to maintain optimal growing conditions using real-time monitoring of solution pH for nutrient uptake; electrical conductivity for nutrient concentration; temperature, for plant health; and water level to ensure consistent hydration. This system is meant to address growing global concerns in food and resource scarcity. With less clean water, declining soil quality, and an increasing demand for food by an ever growing population, the world needs to pivot from traditional means of agriculture to exploring modern, resource-efficient alternatives.
The main body of the system is extremely simple consisting of a light source for photosynthesis, a two gallon nutrient reservoir that suspends the roots, and a clay pellet growing medium that would give the plants some needed structural support. The controller architecture of the system, however, is not as simple. It utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller that integrates various sensors to collect environmental data and transmits it to a Raspberry Pi. Here, the Raspberry Pi hosts a database to store historical data, executes an automated dosing response program, and provides an Ignition gateway for real-time visualization.
This project showcases how modern technology could be integrated into agricultural sectors around the world. By leveraging low-cost, accessible hardware and pairing it with open-source tools and software, food production could start expanding into new areas previously unseen, supporting more resilient, sustainable, and conscientious growing practices worldwide.
Automated Hydroponics Monitoring and Control System
This project is an automated hydroponics system designed to maintain optimal growing conditions using real-time monitoring of solution pH for nutrient uptake; electrical conductivity for nutrient concentration; temperature, for plant health; and water level to ensure consistent hydration. This system is meant to address growing global concerns in food and resource scarcity. With less clean water, declining soil quality, and an increasing demand for food by an ever growing population, the world needs to pivot from traditional means of agriculture to exploring modern, resource-efficient alternatives.
The main body of the system is extremely simple consisting of a light source for photosynthesis, a two gallon nutrient reservoir that suspends the roots, and a clay pellet growing medium that would give the plants some needed structural support. The controller architecture of the system, however, is not as simple. It utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller that integrates various sensors to collect environmental data and transmits it to a Raspberry Pi. Here, the Raspberry Pi hosts a database to store historical data, executes an automated dosing response program, and provides an Ignition gateway for real-time visualization.
This project showcases how modern technology could be integrated into agricultural sectors around the world. By leveraging low-cost, accessible hardware and pairing it with open-source tools and software, food production could start expanding into new areas previously unseen, supporting more resilient, sustainable, and conscientious growing practices worldwide.
