Post PC Irrigation Sensor
Post PC Computing, HUJI 2001
Lecturer: Prof. Scott Kirkpatrick
Presented by Ami Serri-Menkes
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Overview
 Introduction
 Critical Tasks
 Technology Requirements
 Usability Issues
 Conclusion
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Current Needs
 Water Conservation
 Energy Conservation
 Green Areas:
Agriculture
Horticulture
Nature Reserves
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Project Goals
 Low Power Irrigation Controller
 Smart Sensor Input
 Weather Forecast Input
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Description
 Solar Irrigation Computer
 Smart Sensors:
Solar Panel
Tensiometer ‘Artificial Root’
 Solenoids – Electric Valves
 Future: Internet Weather Forecast
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Competitive Analysis
 Competitors
– Manual Irrigation
– Timer-based Irrigation
 Strengths
– Water Use Efficiency
 Weaknesses
– Price of Connectivity, Components
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Technology Requirements



Power Budget:
– 9V battery: 5.085 WHr
– Solar panel: 12-30WHr/Day
Power Consumption:
– 1 Solenoid: 14mWHr/Day
– 4 Solenoids: 64mWHr/Day.
– CPU+Display: 7mWHr/Day
– Tensiometer: 3mWHr/Day.
– Cellular: 25mWHr/Day (listen mode)
Total: 100mWHr/Day
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Data Integration
 Time-based to Tension-based
 Depends on Plants, Soil Type
 => Calibration:min,max
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User Testing
 (video clip)
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Usability Issues
 3 Modes: Sensor,Auto-run/off,Manual
 =>2 Modes: Sensor, Manual
 On/Off buttons confusing
 =>STN button or new Mode button
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Future Work
 Component and Data Integration
 Cellular Connectivity (SMS?)
 New Sensors (LeafSense)
 Usability
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Conclusion
 Present: Prototype (non cellular)
 Future: Connected
 Energy, Water, Fertilizer Savings
 Time Savings
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What We Learned
 How to Develop Ideas
 Technical Analysis
 User Testing
 Solar Power
 Irrigation
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Thanks
 Prof. Scott Kirkpatrick, HUJI
 Ilan Porat, Rotem
 Heiner Lieth, Loren Oki, UC Davis
 Post PC students
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Related Web Sites
 www.tipa.gov.il
 lieth.ucdavis.edu
 www.bermad.com
 www.earthsystemssolutions.com
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Questions/Remarks
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