ESP8266 Internet of things Micro:bit

IoT applied in Agriculture with Micro:bit

11-05-21 2712

IoT technology in Agriculture

IoT (Internet of Things) technology can be used in agriculture to improve crop yields, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. IoT devices, such as sensors, cameras, and drones, can be used to gather data about crop growth, soil conditions, and weather patterns, which can then be analyzed and used to make more informed decisions about planting, irrigation, and fertilization.

Some examples of how IoT can be used in agriculture include:

Precision Agriculture: IoT-enabled sensors can be used to gather data on soil moisture, temperature, and pH levels, which can be used to optimize irrigation and fertilization. This can help to reduce water and chemical usage, and increase crop yields.
Crop Monitoring: IoT cameras and drones can be used to monitor crop growth, detect pests and diseases, and identify areas that need attention. This can help farmers to take action more quickly and make more informed decisions about crop management.
Livestock Monitoring: IoT sensors can be used to monitor the health and well-being of livestock, including temperature, heart rate, and movement. This can help farmers to detect potential health issues early and take action to prevent them.
Weather Monitoring: IoT sensors can be used to gather data on weather patterns, such as temperature, precipitation, and wind speed, which can be used to predict future weather conditions and make more informed decisions about planting and harvesting.
Automation: IoT technology can be used to automate tasks such as irrigation and fertilization, which can help to reduce labor costs and increase efficiency.

Overall, IoT technology in agriculture can help farmers to increase crop yields, reduce costs, and increase efficiency. By gathering data on soil, weather and crop conditions, it can help farmers to make more informed decisions and take more precise

Presentation of ThingSpeak

ThingSpeak is a cloud-based Internet of Things (IoT) platform that allows users to collect, store, and analyze sensor data from IoT devices. It provides a set of APIs (Application Programming Interfaces) and tools that enable users to easily connect their IoT devices to the cloud, and to visualize and analyze the data that is collected.

ThingSpeak provides several features that make it well-suited for IoT applications:

Data storage: ThingSpeak provides a cloud-based data storage service that allows users to store and retrieve sensor data from IoT devices.
Data visualization: ThingSpeak provides a web-based interface for visualizing sensor data, which allows users to easily view and analyze the data that is collected.
Data analysis: ThingSpeak provides a set of tools for analyzing sensor data, such as MATLAB, which allows users to perform advanced data analysis.
Real-time data streaming: ThingSpeak allows users to stream sensor data in real-time, which enables users to monitor and respond to changes in sensor data as they occur.
Actuation: ThingSpeak also allows users to perform actuation, which means to control other devices based on the sensor data received.

ThingSpeak is often used in a wide range of IoT applications, such as smart homes, industrial monitoring, and environmental monitoring. It is also popular among educators and students, as it provides an easy-to-use platform for learning about IoT and programming.

The Micro:bit can be used to collect data from sensors and then send it to ThingSpeak using wireless communication protocols such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This data can then be used to monitor and control devices on a farm or in an agricultural setting. For example, data from temperature, humidity and soil moisture sensors can be used to optimize irrigation and fertilizer use, increasing crop yields and reducing costs.

Overall, ThingSpeak provides a powerful tool for collecting, analyzing, and visualizing data from devices like the Micro:bit, making it an useful option for agriculture and other IoT applications.

Purpose of this project:

IoT technology can be used in agriculture to improve crop yields and efficiency. The Microbit is a small, low-cost computer that can be used to collect data from sensors and control devices on a farm. This data can be used to optimize irrigation, fertilizer use, and other aspects of crop management. Additionally, the Microbit can be used to control and monitor various devices on the farm, such as pumps and valves, to improve efficiency and reduce labor costs. Overall, the Microbit can be a valuable tool for farmers looking to increase yields and reduce costs through the use of IoT technology.

This project describes the application of IoT (Internet of Things) in agriculture. In this environment we take measurements of the humidity of the soil of a plant.

Monitoring of the parameter around this process (information provided by the soil sensor) is done using open source tools and resources such as Micro:bit and ThingSpeak. We read the sensor data in real time on the internet through a web page and also on the graphs in ThingSpeak.

This work is carried out using Micro:bit connected to an ESP8266 module which will send all the information via WIFI concerning the environment of our plant, to ThingSpeak.

Necessary components

Micro:bit

Micro:bit is a small programmable microcontroller board developed by the BBC for use in educational settings. It is designed to be easy to use and accessible to students of all ages and skill levels. The board measures 4×5 cm and has 25 red LED lights that can be programmed to display messages or animations. It also includes 2 programmable buttons, accelerometer, magnetometer, and a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module.

Micro:bit is powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M0 CPU and has 256KB of flash memory and 16KB of RAM. It can be programmed using a variety of programming languages, such as MakeCode, Python, and JavaScript. It also supports a variety of sensors and actuators, allowing for the creation of interactive projects and applications.

The Micro:bit is an excellent tool for learning programming, electronics, and physical computing. It is used in many school curriculum as part of STEM education. Some examples of projects that can be built with Micro:bit include a pedometer, a digital compass, a weather station, and a musical instrument.

Micro:bit GPIO board

A Micro:bit GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output) board is an expansion board that connects to the Micro:bit microcontroller board and provides additional input/output (I/O) pins, allowing for more advanced projects and applications. The Micro:bit has a limited number of I/O pins on the board itself, and the GPIO board can add more capabilities to the Micro:bit by adding more pins.

The GPIO board usually provides a set of connectors and headers that match the pinout of the Micro:bit, allowing for a simple and easy connection. The board typically provides additional input and output interfaces, such as digital and analog inputs, digital outputs, PWM, I2C, and UART communication interfaces.

The additional I/O pins on the GPIO board allow the Micro:bit to interface with a wide range of electronic devices and sensors, such as LEDs, buttons, motors, sensors, and other electronic devices. It also allows for more complex projects to be created, such as robots, home automation systems, and IoT applications.

Soil moisture sensor

A soil moisture sensor is a device that measures the water content in soil. It can be used in agriculture, gardening, and landscaping to monitor soil moisture levels and determine when to water plants or crops.

There are different types of soil moisture sensors, but most work by measuring the electrical resistance or capacitance of the soil. When the soil is dry, the electrical resistance is high, and when the soil is wet, the resistance is low. Some soil moisture sensors also measure the dielectric constant of the soil, which changes with the water content.

Soil moisture sensors typically have two electrodes that are inserted into the soil. The electrodes measure the electrical resistance or capacitance of the soil and send a signal to a microcontroller or other electronic device. The microcontroller can then interpret the signal and determine the moisture level of the soil.

Soil moisture sensors can be used in agriculture to optimize irrigation and fertilization, reducing water and chemical usage, and increasing crop yields. They can also be used in gardening and landscaping to determine when to water plants.

They can be connected to Microbit or microcontroller board and integrated with IoT technology to transmit the data to a remote server for monitoring and analysis, and can also be integrated with actuators such as valves and pumps to automate irrigation.

In summary, a soil moisture sensor is a device that measures the water content in soil. It can be used in agriculture, gardening, and landscaping to monitor soil moisture levels and determine when to water plants or crops, and can be integrated with IoT technology to transmit the data to a remote server for monitoring and analysis.

ESP8266 wifi

ESP8266 is a low-cost Wi-Fi microcontroller chip with full TCP/IP stack and microcontroller capability. It is produced by Espressif Systems, a Chinese manufacturer. It can be used to add Wi-Fi connectivity to devices such as microcontrollers, and it is often used in Internet of Things (IoT) projects.

The ESP8266 chip includes a 32-bit processor, flash memory, and a built-in Wi-Fi module, making it a complete solution for adding Wi-Fi connectivity to a device. It can be easily integrated with a microcontroller, such as an Arduino or a Micro:bit, and can be programmed using a variety of programming languages, such as C, C++, and Python.

The ESP8266 can be used in a variety of projects, such as wireless sensor networks, home automation systems, and web-connected devices. It can be programmed to connect to a Wi-Fi network, send and receive data, and interact with other devices over the Internet. The chip has a very small form factor and low power consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered devices.

In summary, the ESP8266 is a popular, low-cost, and versatile Wi-Fi module that can be used to add wireless connectivity to a variety of devices and projects. It offers a complete solution for IoT projects, and its small form factor and low power consumption make it ideal for battery-powered applications.

Connecting wires

Connecting wires refer to the process of connecting two or more electrical wires together in order to transmit electrical signals or power from one device to another. This can be done using a variety of methods and techniques, depending on the type of wire and the application.

Test plate

A test plate is used to include the flame sensor module, as well as connectors and other components to interface the sensor with the Micro:bit. It may also include LEDs, buttons or other input/output devices to test the functionality of the sensor and the microcontroller. The test plate allows for easy testing and validation of the sensor and the Makecode that is used to interact with it.