Indoor Growing Environment (IGE)
Adam Wolfe (CSC)
Levie Kirkland (CET)
Brandon Lewis (CET)
Schedule – Where are we?
Start Date
Duration
Preparation of I.G.E.
1/27/2014
7
Program Lights
2/3/2014
7
Program Timer
2/10/2014
7
Test Sensors/Report to MCU
2/17/2014
7
Test Components from MCU
2/24/2014
7
Program The Application
2/26/2014
12
Report LCD Screen Info from Sensors
3/3/2014
14
Report Web Page/Wireless from Sensors
3/17/2014
9
Obtain/Program Optimal Settings for Food Producing Plants
3/26/2014
12
Test Application
4/7/2014
7
Test System
4/14/2014
7
Wrap Up
4/21/2014
4
Current Progress:
“Program Lights” (2/3/14 – 2/10/14)
 We used test components and actual components
 We used code to turn the lights on and off
 We were able to obtain readings from the sensor and
use those values to turn on/off the fan (thermostat)
 This is essential to our project because it forms the
basis of our environmental control system, using
inputs from sensors to affect some appropriate output.
We can now use this code to activate a bigger relay to
control all of our electric powered components
Current Tasks:
“Program Timer” (2/10/14 – 2/17/14)
 Much of our system depends on timed events
 Lights need to be turned on and off at specified times
 Nutrient solution needs pumped into the growing area
at specified times
 Real time data needs to be reported to the system for
display on the LCD screen and website
 Arduino Uno doesn’t have a traditional “clock” for us to
use
Real Time Clock
 We acquired a RTC chip to be used in conjunction with the MCU
 This will allow us to control the environment for whatever
period of time needed
SainSmart Tiny Real Time Clock Module
for Arduino
IGE System Container
 We selected a vertical tool shed to contain our system
 Assembled size: 31 by 23 by 72 inches (width by depth by
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height)
Capacity: 27 by 19 by 68 inches (width by depth by height)
These dimensions make this shed the perfect size for our
components
Buying a container frees up time to work on system
development
The design of the container will also help conceal any wires
and electronic components better than a wood
container/cabinet
Vertical Tool Shed
Heating the System
 Heat for our growing system will be generated by an
aquarium heater inside of the nutrient reservoir
 This warmed solution will be pumped into the grow
table, thus heating the entire growing area
Humidifying the System
 We decided to use a “cool mist” humidifier to add
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humidity to our system as needed
We originally planned to use a pump and sprayer
Research showed that method to be complicated and
ineffective
We are going to use a cool mist humidifier because it is
effective at humidifying a small area
We will control the humidifier with the MCU and relay
and turn on for a set amount of time as needed
Ultrasonic Humidifier - Cool Mist
Looking Forward
 Once the timer is operating, we will move on to the
next step –
 Test Sensors/Report to MCU
 Some is already completed, must concentrate on the
reporting data to memory which is necessary for LCD
screen and website
 Continue building the actual physical system – last of
the components ordered