Pro

oceedings off the Asia-Pa

acific Advannced Networkk 2014 v. 377, p. 20-29.
http
p://dx.doi.org
g/10.7125/APA
AN.37.3

ISS
SN 2227-302
26

Lab Prototyp
P
pe of Wireless
W
Monitor
M
ring and
d Controol for Seeed
Pota
atoes Grrowing C
Chambeer
Pujo
o Laksono1, Irman
I
Idris2, M. Ikhsan S
Sani1, and Dh
hamma N.P.1
1

Microelectron
M
nics Center of
o Bandung IInstitute of T
Technology
3rd floor of PAU Bldg,
B
Bandun
ng Institute T
Technology, Jl. Ganeshaa 10
Bandu
ung, Indonessia
2

School
S
of Eleectrical Engiineering and
d Informaticss, Bandung IInstitute of T
Technology
Ahmad
d Bakrie Bld
dg, Bandung Institute of T
Technologyy, Jl. Ganeshaa 10
Bandu
ung, Indonessia
E-mail: pujo@
@ic-proc.pau
ume.itb.ac.id
d, irman@ic--proc.paumee.itb.ac.id, ikkhsan@icproc.paum
me.itb.ac.id, sonics@ic-pr
s
roc.paume.ittb.ac.id
Tel.: +6
62-22-251-2 674

Abstractt
One of th
he foremost problems in
n Indonesiass agriculturaal sector is rrelated to thee high produuction
costs. Ass the highestt cost driverr in a cultivaation seasonn is related tto seeds avaailability, quuality,
and proccurement, therefore a reesearch in co
ollaboration with Vegettable R&D Facility (Baalitsa)
under Ind
donesian Miinistry of Ag
griculture waas performedd.
This research effortt focused on
o designing
g and impleementing w
wireless senssor and acttuator
network (WSAN) for the controll, monitoring
g, and condiitioning of ggrowing cham
mbers insidee of a
greenhou
use. Aeropon
nic growing
g chambers which are essential inn cultivating disease-free G0
potato seeeds require strict treatm
ment of watter, nutrientss, and also cconditioned temperaturee and
humidity
y. With the implementattion of WSA
AN, a flexibbility in sennsor nodes m
managementt was
introduceed, where the
t
number of active growing chhambers miight vary ddepending uusers
preferencces. Main im
mprovements after impllementation gained in fo
forms of a m
monitored syystem
and user--adjustable settings,
s
whiich are essen
ntial for the Balitsa reseaarchers. Othher improvem
ments
include power
p
and nu
utrients efficciency in perrforming thee G0 cultivattion.
This reseearch was do
one as one of
o the Indonesian Smart Farming effforts, a roaddmap designned to
empowerr and inttegrate natiionwide ag
gricultural activities through innformation and
communication techn
nology.
ywords: WS
SAN, WSN, aeroponics,
a
sensor
s
netwoork, agricultture sensor
Key
20

1. Introduction
Indonesia is an agricultural country. With a vast area and large population, self-sufficiency in
food and agriculture products to support the welfare of the people is a necessity of a high
importance. While an achievement of food self-sufficiency has been claimed in the late President
Soehartos reign mainly in the 1990s [1], there is a significant need for improvement of
agriculture sector productivity in Indonesia, in which presently the nation depends largely in
imported goods rather than self-sufficiency [2][3]. While there are several approaches have been
used to identify what is the current problems and possible solutions to improve Indonesian
agriculture productivity [4][5], one of such efforts which was performed by a collaboration
between Bandung Institute of Technology and NTTData of Japan has produced insightful results.
The study has shown that current problems in the Indonesian agriculture sector could be divided
into some aspects, with the four main accounted problems including: low productivity,
ineffective marketing of farm products, high cost of farming supplies procurement, and low
farmers empowerment rate [6].
From the result of the study performed for potato cultivation in West Java, particularly in
Lembang and Pangalengan area, it was understood that seed quantity, quality, and availability
hold significancy in overall cost and productivity [6]. Therefore, it was considered necessary to
increase the production quality and quantity of potato seeds, especially at the G0 potato seeding
facility which resulting yields will affect the consecutive seeding productions.
According to Blackmore (1994), there are four factors that are interlinked in precision
agriculture, those were: reduction of input, enhanced control system, increased efficiency, and
information management system [7]. One of the agricultural systems that can be applied to
enable precision farming is aeroponic system. Aeroponic is the process of growing plants in an
environment without the use of medium soil or aggregate. The basic principle of aeroponic is
growing plants in a closed or semi-enclosed environment with an equipment necessary for
spraying plants roots with nutrient-rich solution. The aeroponic system has more advantages
than hydroponic in terms of spraying high air content in the nutrient solution to provide oxygen
to plant roots, stimulating growth, and help the prevention of pathogen compounds formations
[7]. The main focus in the aeroponic system research are as follows: microenvironment
(temperature, humidity, pH), and the effectiveness of nutrition (spraying/ fogging).
Cultivation of G0 potato seeds require a controlled growing chamber inside a greenhouse to be
grown adequately. Precision farming which is constituted by exact dose, exact timing, and exact
location [8] is surely necessary, while power efficiency will certainly be useful in production
cost reduction. Based on such necessities in improving production of G0 potato seeds,
understanding of potato seeding, and a research background on sensor systems, research effort in
developing information system for the purpose of productivity improvement was deemed
necessary. A research partnership with Balitsa (Vegetables Research Center) of Ministry of
Agriculture located in West Java, Lembang, with proper facilities and expertise in green houses
and growing chambers as shown in Figure 1 has been initiated to obtain optimal results and
useful insights.

21

Figure 1. (clockwisse from uppeer left) a. Greenhouse faccility of Balitsa, Lembanng; b. G0 pootato
seedling
gs on a grow
wing chamberr; c. A row of
o growing cchambers; d. Aeroponicss potato bulbbs; e.
A row of growing
g
cham
mbers.

This pap
per covers reesearch and developmen
nt efforts inn implementtation of wirreless sensorr and
actuator network fo
or the purp
pose of greeenhouse annd growingg chambers monitoringg and
controllin
ng. Seeding chambers for
f potato were
w
chosen as the pilott project forr implementaation,
with simp
plified schem
matic shown
n in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Basic diagram of a grrowing cham

mber

22

2. Methods
In designing an optimal WSAN for the purpose of greenhouse and growing chamber monitoring
and controlling system, the requirements of the system will be as follow:
1. Adaptive to changes against the size of the monitored system,
2. Adjustable according to user's preferences,
3. Able to monitor key parameters of greenhouse and growing chambers including but not
limited to: temperature, humidity, light intensity, and pH level.
According to the system's requirements, a wireless sensor and actuator network based on ZigBee
was chosen to be the wireless protocol. Based on the work specifications and studies of other
implementations of WSAN [9][10], ZigBee has system advantages including high adaptibility
through its mesh network topology.
Considering high possibility of future implementations where the greenhouse and its growing
chambers might be located far from the database server and from its system administrator, a
method to transmit data from the location to the server was also designed. With the high
availability of GSM service providers in the country and intended pilot project location, text
message (short message service - SMS) was chosen as an alternative.
The basic proposed system diagram is provided through Figure 3.

Figure 3. (a) Sensor and actuator system. (b) Communication system.

(c) Database server.
The designed basic connection scheme would be the following:
1. Every sensors and actuators located within close proximity (e.g. located inside a same
growing chamber, i.e. <5 meters) would be connected to a single ZigBee wireless node,
therefore reducing the need to implement numerous ZigBee nodes unless deemed
necessary.
2. A single ZigBee parent node would act as network organizer, an access point which
allows new devices (connected to a ZigBee node) to be added into the existing WSAN,
therefore providing flexibility into the system.

23

3. In
nitialization of new dev
vices (thus, new nodes)) will be peerformed by the parent node
ev
very occurin
ng data collection, therrefore manuual initializaation by thee operator is not
necessary.
posed basic connection scheme bettween devicces inside thhe system iss shown thrrough
The prop
Figure 4,, where in th
his figure on
nly a single growing chaamber is connnected to thhe system, tthus a
single blo
ock of senso
ors and actuaators are con
nnected to thee parent nodde.

Figure 4. Designed
D
con
nnectivity annd grouping ddiagram
3.1. Sensor and Actuator Syystems
3.1.1. Sensor sy
ystem
m
sensors are utilized in this su
ubsystem too monitor thhe conditionns of a groowing
Three main
chamber,, with aims to
t achieve measurements
m
s of the key parameters, those are:
1. Temperature
T
sensor,
2. Humidity
H
sen
nsor,
3. pH
H sensor.
Temperaature sensor is
i used to mo
onitor the op
ptimal condiition of a groowing chambber continuoously.
Humidity
y sensor also has the saame work sp
pecificationss, which is to monitor continuouslly the
humidity
y condition of
o the growing chamber, optimally iin 85% to 100% RH. H
HS1101 Hum
midity
sensor by
y Humirel en
nclosed insid
de a contain
ner covered w
with multi-laayered nettinng fabric in order
to preven
nt water drop
plets from saaturating thee sensor wass used for thhe purpose. T
This arrangeement
is shown on figure 5cc.
On the other
o
hand, because pH
H sensor stilll uses a chhemical probbe which iss much easiier to
degrade than
t
the other sensors, a mechanism
m was requirred to lower the probe, eexposing it tto the
24

nutrient water flow, and then check the acidity condition inside the growing chamber every
certain period of time.
3.1.2. Actuator System
For the basic actuators, the system will control the following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Water pump,
Nutrient pump,
Mistmaker,
Blowers,
Disposal valve.

Water pump, as well as nutrient pump, are installed in their own respective tanks. Timely
treatments of water and nutrition are expected in a growing chamber system, therefore an
adjustable water and nutrient treatment pump is necessary. An adjustable treatment system is
also important for R&D purposes, whereas the researchers of Balitsa usually run various
experiments on new G0 potato seeding techniques from time to time. In this experiment, we
were requested by the researchers of Balitsa to implement ultrasonic mistmakers as a mean of
nutrients distribution, in which the nutrient will be pumped into a container inside the growing
chamber, and then the ultrasonic mistmakers will create ultrasonic vibrations inside the
containers. These mistmakers are installed inside nutrient accumulator boxes as shown on figure
5a. The vibrated nutrient solution will then turn into mist, which will be more easily distributed
inside the growing chamber. This mist of nutrient solution is shown on figure 5b.
Blowers are required when the internal temperature of growing chamber is leaving the threshold
of optimal growing conditions. A single-speed blower was used in this research, and will be ran
until internal temperature reached ambient temperature, which in Lembang area is around 1718 C at noon and 15-17 C at night.
Every time the potato roots were treated periodically by water or nutrients, the accumulated
liquid needs to be drained. This drainage pipes connect back to water and nutrient tanks,
therefore enabling reuse of water and nutrients, eventhough after some time they need to be
replaced. However, because of the reusability concern, different pipelines are required for each
tank. Therefore, disposal valve is required in determining whether the outgoing liquid is being
returned to water tank or nutrients tank. Disposal valve will open the channel from the growing
chamber to the respective liquids drainage pipeline, activated after every treatment.
3.1.3. Actuator and Sensor Control System
To control the actions that should be taken by each actuator and sensor according to the
programmed tasks, an ATMEGA128 microcontroller was used. In this project, a method to
control the parameters of actuator was enabled using a control panel with an LCD screen at the
parent nodes box.

25

3.2. Communication Systems

Communication between the components of this system happened in two forms: the first is
between zigbee nodes and the parent node, which used ZigBee wireless protocol, and the second
is between the parent node and database server, which used text message as a mean of data
transmission.
3.2.1. ZigBee nodes
Each ZigBee node was connected with several signal conditioners, each corresponded to a
certain sensor or actuator. In this research, the sensors used were temperature, humidity, and pH
sensors, while the actuators used were mistmakers, blowers, pumps, and valves. With every
ZigBee node attached to a single growing chamber, and every ZigBee node able to accomodate
multiple sensors and actuators, the amount of ZigBee node that was required to be deployed was
equal to the number of the active growing chambers.
3.2.2. ZigBee parent node
Data collection was performed periodically by ZigBee parent node, once every 10 minutes. In
this project, the specification was for the parent node to handle 20 nodes at one time, given the
size and workload of growing chambers inside a single greenhouse. This ZigBee parent node is
configured with a microcontroller to facilitate message coding, and then connected to a GSM
module to send the coded message via GSM network to the awaiting database server. An
enclosure covers the node as it has been shown in figure 5d, along with the power supply unit
and actuator control box.
3.2.3. Text messaging via GSM module
Text messages have a limitation in transmitted messages, as in only 160 characters allowed for
each delivery. Therefore, a simple character parity was designed, using slashes to differentiate
each data obtained from respective sensors. The same method was used in giving directions to
the actuator from server.

26

Parentt
node

Hu
umiditysensoor
enclosure

PSU

Contrrol
Boxx

Mistmaker
boxess

Figure 5.
5 (from left--to-right) a. Implementation of mistm
maker boxess inside grow
wing chambeer; b.
(upperr middle) Reesulting mistt; c. (lower middle)
m
Impllementation of sensors inside growinng
chaamber; d. Parrent node, main
m control box,
b and maain power suupplies for thhe actuators.

3. Resultts
The resu
ults of the research has shown thatt wireless seensor netwoork using a ZigBee wirreless
protocol for the purp
pose of grow
wing chamber monitoringg and controolling was abble to providde the
T system eenabled them
m to make changes intto the
researcheers of Balitssa with a usseful tool. The
system and
a growing
g parameterss as they seee fit in ann easy way, therefore eenabling theem to
perform G0 potato cultivation
c
and
a related research muuch more efffective andd efficiently.. The
implemen
nted system was able to
o perform as the intende d design. Hoowever, afteer some period of
trial run,, there are still
s
some ad
djustments that
t
can be made to im
mprove the uusefulness oof the
system.
Data tran
nsmission should
s
be th
he main concern of a wireless seensor and aactuator netw
work.
Designed
d ZigBee no
odes was sup
pposed to seend informattion to the Z
ZigBee parennt node for eevery
minute. However,
H
so
ome delays still occurreed because oof microconntroller delayy in each ZiigBee
node. A design to enable flexible data collection w
will be enggineered in the futuree, i.e.
implemen
ntation of 6L
LoWPAN ass one of the emerging
e
tecchnologies iin WPAN.
Using tex
xt message to transmit the data waas applicablee to serve thhe purpose, but inefficieent in
terms off cost. Futurre practices will utilizee other meaans of moree efficient ddata transmiission
method from
f
the mo
onitored areaa to the dataa processing center, suchh as using 3G modem aand/or
using twiitter accountt.
Implementation of mistmakers
m
to
t act as nu
utrients distrributor insidde the growiing chamberr still
posed som
me challeng
ges, those weere:

27

1. Because it uses ultrasonic vibration to transform nutrients into mist, the heat that was
caused by the vibration was also spread inside the growing chamber, thus increasing the
overall temperature of the growing chamber. This phenomenon has caused the optimum
temperature of the growing chamber could not be reached, therefore stunting optimum
bulbs growth.
2. Even though mistmakers were utilized to produce smaller water droplets, the resulting
water droplets was too small to be caught by the roots. Furthermore, because of the
minuscule size of the droplets, they were able to transcend the boundaries that were made
using clotted cottons. This allowed the nutrients to reach the leaves, which proven
harmful because of the acidic nature of the nutrient solution.
Based on such results, researchers of Balitsa decided that they will revert back to pump
utilization for the purpose of nutrients distribution inside the growing chamber, because the yield
and quality of resulting G0 bulbs have higher priorities than efficiency issues.
4. Conclusions
From the performed research, we can conclude several items as follow:
1. Wireless sensor and actuator network using ZigBee protocol to control and monitor G0
potato growing chamber was able to increase cultivation adaptability and productivity, in
which Balitsa researchers can modify growth parameters easily, and monitor growing
chamber condition remotely.
2. Several adjustments need to be made to increase control and monitoring systems
effectiveness and efficiency, including implementation of new communication method,
reinstatement of pump to replace mistmakers, and an upgrade in data transmission
scheme using ZigBee protocol.
3. Planned future works including a refrigeration system to cool down nutrient/ water
treatment system, therefore maintaining optimum growth temperature inside the growing
chamber.
4. Wireless sensor and actuator network for the purpose of greenhouse monitoring and
controlling can be improved by implementing 6LoWPAN in the future, thus increasing
the capability, reliability, and availability of the network.
Acknowledgments
This research was done in collaboration with Vegetable Research Center (Balitsa) of Lembang, a
research center of Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture.
References and Notes
1.
2.

Vatikiotis, Michael R.J. Indonesian Politics under Suharto: the Rise and Fall of the New
Order; Routledge: London, United Kingdom, 1999; Chapter 2.
Warr, Peter. Food Policy and Poverty in Indonesia: a General Equilibrium Analysis;
Australian National University, Australia, 2005. Available online:
https://crawford.anu.edu.au/acde/prc/pdf/WarrFoodPolicy.pdf (accessed on 4 January
2013).
28

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.
8.

9.

10.

Haryati, Y.; Aji, J.M.M. Indonesian Rice Supply Performance in the Trade Liberalization
Era, 2005. Available online:
http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:8429&dsID=IRCBali_Paper.pdf
(accessed on 6 January 2014).
Rada, Nicholas; Fuglie, Keith; Buccola, Steve. Indonesian Agricultural Research,
Agricultural Incentives, and Productivity Growth, 2010. Available online:
http://www.farmfoundation.org/news/articlefiles/1725-Rada.pdf (accessed on 10 January
2014).
Nuchsin, P. Irrigation Management to Increase Agriculture Production (Indonesian
Experience). Available online:
http://www.comcec.org/UserFiles/File/WorkingGroups/Agriculture/Presentations%20mad
e%20during%20the%20Meeting/%C3%9CLKE/Indonesia.pdf (accessed on 2 January
2014).
Sulthoni, M.A.; Laksono, P.; Ishiura, D.; Amemiya, S.; Umejima, M. Key Parameters for
Developing Agricultural Electronics Service in Indonesia, Proceedings of ICEID 2013,
awaiting publication.
Blackmore, S. Precision Farming: An Overview, Agricultural Engineer, 49, 1994; pp 8688.
Radite P.A.S, Irman Idris, Hidayat Pawitan, Sigit Prabawa, Pendekatan Precision Farming
Memanfaatkan Teknologi Sensor untuk Peningkatan Produktivitas Pertanian di Indonesia,
RUSNAS Seminar, State Ministry of Research and Technology, Republic of Indonesia,
2006.
Mancuso, M., Bustaffa, F., A Wireless Sensor Network for Monitoring Environmental
Variables in a Tomato Greenhouse. IEEE International Workshop on Factory
Communication Systems, 2006; pp 107-110.
Abielmona, R. Sensor Networks : Research Challenges in Practical Implementation,
Physical characteristic, and Aplication, School of Information Technology and
Engineering, Ottawa, 2003.

2014 by the authors; licensee Asia Pacific Advanced Network. This article is an open-access
article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).

29