Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
REGION III – CENTRAL LUZON
SCHOOLS DIVISION OF AURORA
AURORA NATIONAL SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL
BRGY. BUHANGIN, BALER, AURORA

AUTOMATED SPRINKLER WITH HUMIDITY SENSOR AND MONITORING SYSTEM

USING ARDUINO FOR URBAN GADENING

Sandeep C. Singh
Ziv Santos
Djohn Russel F. Nefulda
Yakov Denn N. Gomez

GRADE 12 - JOHNSON

Cynthia Luz Nabutel

S.Y. 2023-2024

Address: Barangay Buhangin Baler, Aurora

Telephone No.: +63 9458272686
Facebook Page: Aurora National Science High School
 CHAPTER 1
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
1.1. Introduction
According Tiff van Huysen (2015), a strong El Niño event is in place in the tropical

Pacific. IRI’s seasonal forecast for the October-December 2015 period, based on the most

recent sea surface temperature projections, predicts a strong likelihood of below-average

precipitation for regions in the western equatorial Pacific, including much of the Philippines.

“By the end of February more than 80% of our provinces [are expected to] experience

drought conditions,” – Anthony Lucero, PAGASA, Past droughts have spared no part of the

Philippine economy. Agriculture, fisheries, water supplies, power generation, public health

and natural resources took significant hits. As a result, authorities instituted water rationing in

Metro Manila and cut off irrigation water to 27,000 hectares of agricultural lands.

Agricultural and fisheries productivity subsequently dropped by 6.6%.

1.1.1. The Effect of El Niño on Rice Production in the Philippines:

The effect of El Niño on national rice production parameters was analyzed by

comparing the trends in rice production, rice yields and harvested rice areas for the period

1970-2014 for normal and for all (including El Niño) years. The results of the analysis

showed that the annual growth rate in rice production is linear (0.24 million metric tons per

yr). At the present level of rice production, the annual increase in rice production amounted

to an annual growth rate of less than 2%. The effect of El Niño on rice production depended

on the strength and time of occurrence of the warm episode. During the dry season, strong,

moderate and weak El Niño episodes depressed total rice production by about 22%, 6% and

0.2%, respectively. (Research Gate, 2013). On the other hand, as of 01 February 2024, the

country’s total rice stocks inventory was estimated at 1.51 million metric tons. This exhibits

an annual decrease of 0.8 percent from the 1.52 million metric tons inventory in the same
period of the previous year. This is how you can differentiate the production before and

during the El Niño season in the Philippines. (Philippine Statistics Authority, 2024).

Looking on the future scenario, the climate projections done by the PAGASA (i.e.,

under the mid-range emission scenario) for 2020 and 2050 indicate that all areas of the

Philippines will get warmer, with largest increase in temperatures in the summer months of

March, April and May (MAM). Mean temperatures in all areas in the Philippines are

expected to rise by 0.9 °C to 1.1 °C in 2020 and by 1.8 °C to 2.2 °C in 2050. Generally, there

is reduction in rainfall in most parts of the country during the summer (MAM) season.

However, there is likely increase in rainfall during the southwest monsoon season in June,

July and August (JJA) until the transition months of September, October and November

(SON) in most areas of Luzon and Visayas. Increase in rainfall is also likely during the

northeast monsoon months of December, January and February (DJF), particularly in

provinces/areas characterized as Type II climate. There is, however, a generally decreasing

trend in rainfall in Mindanao, especially by 2050. (PAGASA 2013).

1.1.2. Overview of Assistive Electronic Alert Feedback:

The Arduino-based sprinkler product aims to revolutionize urban gardening by

providing precise and effective irrigation solutions that are customized to the unique

constraints of small-space surroundings. The system intends to provide adjustable watering

schedules, real-time monitoring system, and water conservation features through the use of

Arduino innovation. This tool helps urban agricultural production by optimizing water usage

based on soil moisture levels, weather forecasts, and plant requirements, decreasing waste

and emphasizing sustainable practices. Furthermore, the technology improves crop health by

precisely supplying water directly to the roots, assuring regular soil moisture levels and

reducing the risk of overwatering or under watering. Its automation features simplify
irrigation tasks, saving urban gardeners time and effort while increasing crop quality and

production.

1.2. Problem Statement

El Niño seasons present significant challenges for urban gardening due to irregular

rainfall patterns and increased temperatures. This causes dry conditions, higher evaporation

rates, and soil moisture depletion, making it harder to keep crops hydrated. Hence, urban

gardeners must deal with reduced water availability, increased crop failure risk, and lower

yield potential, all of which have an influence on urban food security and sustainability

efforts.

1.3. Design Objectives and Constraints

1.3.1. General Objective
The proponents aimed to assess the effectiveness of an Arduino-based Gardening

Sprinkler System.

1.3.2. Specific Objectives

• The Automated sprinkler must attain reliable results.

o The Gardening Sprinkler must have accuracy and consistency in terms of

performance.

• The Automated sprinkler must be monitored using SMS.

• The Automated sprinkler must be portable.

• The Automated sprinkler must have a fast execution time.

1.3.3. Metrics
Table 1.1 Metrics for the Accuracy of the Automated Sprinkler
Objective Remarks Scale
Accurate 95% and above
Slightly Accurate 68% - 94.9%
Accuracy Tolerable 50% - 68%
Slightly Inaccurate 1%-49%
Inaccurate 0%

This objective is a measure how well the proposed project is in determining the

functionality of the automated sprinkler. The proponents have chosen to use a scale that

determines whether the device qualifies as inaccurate, slightly inaccurate, adequate, slightly

accurate or accurate. This will be based on the percentage of trials that match the actual

functionality of the automated sprinkler. The scale has been adjusted such that the proposed

project will be considered tolerable if the percentage is above 50%. But the device will only

be deemed accurate if at least 95% of the trials are correct. The value 95% corresponds to the

confidence interval (CI) which will contain the true value on 95% of occasions if a study

were repeated many times by the team.

Table 1.2 Metrics for the Consistency of the Automated Sprinkler

Objective Remarks Scale
Consistent 95% and above
Slightly Consistent 68% - 94.9%
Consistency Tolerable 50% - 68%
Slightly Inconsistent 1%-49%
Inconsistent 0%
 This aim is a measure of the proposed project's performance over multiple trials. This

means that the proposed project should produce approximately the same results with repeated

uses of the tester. The researchers decided to test this aim by measuring the execution time of

each trial and how it related to the average execution time. The percentage on this scale

represents the number of his trials that are within 2 standard deviations of the average

execution time. A proposed project is considered consistent if the execution time of at least

95% of all executed experiments is within a tolerance of 2 standard deviations from the

average execution time. Again, the value of 95% corresponds to the confidence interval used.

Table 1.3 Metrics for the Reliability of the Automated Sprinkler

Objective Remarks Scale
Reliability Reliable Both consistent and accurate
Unreliable Both inconsistent and
inaccurate

This objective is a measure of how reliable the proposed project is in terms of its

accuracy and consistency. The researchers has defined previously that for the proposed

project to be reliable it has to be both consistent and accurate, and as such both measures will

be used to verify the reliability of the project. The project will be deemed reliable if both

accuracy and consistency rating is above 68%, and unreliable if otherwise.

Table 1.4 Metrics for the Execution Speed or Testing Time of the IC Tester
Objective Remarks Scale
Very Fast Less than 15 seconds
Fast 16 – 30 seconds
Testing Speed/Execution Adequate 31 to 45 seconds
Time
Slow 46 – 60 seconds
Very Slow More than 60 seconds
 This objective is a measure of how well the proposed project is in terms of its testing

speed or execution time for every test.

Table 1.5 Metrics for the Portability of the Automated Sprinkler

Objective Remarks Scale
Very Light Less than 0.4kg
Light 0.4kg – 0.7kg
Portability Adequate 0.8kg – 1.1kg
Slightly Heavy 1.2kg – 1.5kg
Heavy More than 1.5kg

This objective is a measure of how portable the proposed project will be in terms of its

weight. The measure is based on the usual weight of irrigation sprinklers the weigh less than

1.5kg.

1.3.4. Constraint List

The Automated sprinkler should:
• Must have a monitoring system.

• Can function alone

1.4. Scope and Delimitation

1.4.1. Scope
• The Automated Sprinkler will test the humidity levels

• Detect humidity levels

• Send current humidity level to host using GSM module

• Automatic turn on of sprinkler after detection of specified humidity level

1.4.2. Delimitation
• Detecting soil moisture

• Interact with sent humidity level using GSM module

1.5. Significance of the Study
1.5.1. To Homeowners
By accurately measuring humidity levels, this innovative system optimizes irrigation

schedules, conserving water, and promoting efficient use. Homeowners can save time with

automated watering tasks and a monitoring system. The system's remote monitoring and

control capabilities provide convenience and security by allowing users to access real-time

data and adjust settings from anywhere.

1.5.2. To the students

The design project will be helpful to have experiments or projects that make use of

automated watering systems as well as related components such as a humidity sensor and a

monitoring system. The device is capable of functioning automatically and can be monitored

to the hosts desire place. The device can also be used as a reference for students who will use

humidity sensors in their own project.

1.5.3. To the academe

Aurora National Science High school will benefit from the product since they can use

it for testing or as a automated watering system model used for teaching.

1.5.4. To the future researchers

The design project will be helpful to future researchers that will be dealing with

automated water systems, and other related projects.

 1.6 Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

• Arduino UNO • Detecting Humidity • Sprinkler turning on

• GSM module Levels • Display of current
• Power supply • Sending current humidity levels to host
• Humidity Sensor humidity levels
• Codes to integrate to
the system
• Mobile numbers to be
registered on the
system

Figure 1.1 Conceptual Framework

Figure 1.1 shows the input, process, and output of the design project. The input shows

materials that will be set up for product to function. Afterwards, the humidity sensor then

detect the humidity levels and the GSM module will sent the detected humidity levels to host.

The main output of the design project will be the automated sprinkler turning on and the

detected humidity levels is displayed to host.

1.7. Time and Place

The study will be conducted in Baler, Aurora for the making of the software and

hardware for the product completion. The period will be on March to April of S.Y. 2023-

2024.
1.8. Definition of Terms

Efficient Automated Sprinkler A device which allows users to water their

soil automatically by detecting the humidity

levels of the soil and will consistently

provide accurate results.

Accurate results Produce results that indicate the true

functionality of Sprinklers

Consistent The performance of the device should not

change with continued use.

Defective If the product shows inaccuracy and

inconsistency, the automated sprinkler is

considered defective

Functionality of Automated Sprinkler It is the state of the automated sprinkler,

whether it is working or non-working.

 CHAPTER 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1. Arduino: open-source hardware and software
Urban gardening is emerging as a sustainable solution to improve food security and

promote green spaces in urban areas. The use of technologies such as Arduino

microcontrollers in urban horticulture is gaining attention due to its potential to improve

efficiency and productivity. In a nutshell, an Arduino is an open hardware development board

that can be used by tinkerers, hobbyists, and makers to design and build devices that interact

with the real world (Opensource.com, 2015). Similarly, according to Adruino, it’s an open-

source electronics platform based on easy-to-use hardware and software. Arduino boards are

able to read inputs - light on a sensor, a finger on a button, or a Twitter message - and turn it

into an output - activating a motor, turning on an LED, publishing something online. Over the

years, Arduino has served as the brains of thousands of projects, ranging from everyday

objects to complex scientific instruments Arduino was developed at the Ivrea Interaction

Design Institute as a simple tool for rapid prototyping and was intended for students with no

prior knowledge of electronics or programming. As Arduino boards reached a wider

community, his Arduino boards began to change to adapt to new needs and challenges,

expanding its offerings from simple 8-bit boards to IoT applications, wearables, 3D printing,

and embedded environments. Previous studies have explored the application of Arduino in

agriculture; Bruno Benzaquen Perosa et al, 2023 uses Adruino and Low carbon agricultural

techniques to reduce agricultural emissions without compromising productivity , are being

widely adopted as one strategy to promote more sustainable food systems. Evaluating the

impact of such practices requires an effective monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV)

system. Hashim N. M. Z. et al, 2015 that uses Adruino to apply for temperature and soil

moisture process using Android based Smart phone application in order to address the issues

of flexibility and functionality. Prototyping with Arduino has grown in popularity with the
increased use of the Arduino platform. While many systems exist for building

microcontrollers, Arduino has proved to be the most effective. rduino makes the procedure of

working with microcontrollers simpler while offering huge benefits to teachers, students, and

hobbyists when compared with similar systems. Unlike other microcontroller development

platforms, Arduino boards are moderately inexpensive. (Hari Kishan Kondaveeti et al., 2021)

2.2.Overview or urban gardening

Although urban gardening has experienced a recent resurgence, it is by no means a

new concept. Its roots go back to ancient Egypt, where urban waste was used to feed the

urban agriculture that existed at the time. Since then, urban gardening has been used as a

response to food shortages. In industrialized countries, human relationships with the soil have

weakened since the industrial revolution. Agricultural soils, closely tended for centuries by

farmers, have been neglected with the advent of chemical fertilizers (Chabert et Sarthou,

2017). Urban agriculture experiments seeking to cultivate vegetables and fruits in collective

gardens are popular with city dwellers and can change urban living patterns and philosophies.

Urban collective gardens and farms are places of production, of social ties and well-being;

they are considered as an interface between city, nature, and agriculture (Scheromm, 2015).

According to Perla Lena, 2023, Urban gardening usually makes use of recycled containers,

pots, roof decks, and smaller areas not requiring huge volumes of water because of limited

space unlike in bigger farms where sustaining their water needs is difficult. Global

technology company Epson said that Urban Gardening espouses a stronger commitment to

sustainability and protecting the environment, not only in its products but also in its

initiatives that enrich communities. (Dy-Zulueta, 2023)

Urban farming initiatives in the Philippines have gained momentum in recent years,

with several organizations and government programs working to promote and support this

sustainable practice. Urban gardening usually makes use of recycled containers, pots, roof
decks, and smaller areas not requiring huge volumes of water because of limited space unlike

in bigger farms where sustaining their water needs is difficult.

The design and development of an Arduino-based sprinkler system for urban

gardening requires careful consideration of various factors.

2.3. Sprinkler Technology

Sprinkler technology has undergone significant advancements in recent years,

especially with the emergence of automated systems designed to optimize water usage and

enhance irrigation efficiency. There are many advantages of using sprinkler technology of

today. Water saving is an essential part of sprinkler irrigation due to the impact of climate

change and rising energy costs (Li et al., 2019). Li . et al also stated that sprinkler irrigation is

a water-saving irrigation mode with mature technology and wide application. Gul et al., 2021

stated that the amount of irrigation water saved (19%) by sprinkler irrigation technique in

comparison to its counterpart is also sizeable. The advantages and irreplaceable role of

sprinkler irrigation are clarified. In addition, with the steady progress of high standard

farmland construction and large-scale agricultural management in China, the perfor-mance

and function of sprinkler irrigation machines are continuously enhanced, which gradually

turns the limitations of previous sprinkler irrigation into development advantages (Tang et al.,

2022). Salvador et al in 2023 stated that the reduction in pressure operation changes the

characteristics of the drop population and its impact on the soil. The crop canopy can also

modify the energy reaching the soil.

Many sprinkler technology has emerged to optimize crop production; sprinkler

irrigation technology (Yan et al., 2020), drip-sprinkler irrigation technology (Ye.V. Angold &

Zharkov, 2014) that establish optimal water and nutritive regime directly in the plant root

system. These systems can be programmed to adjust watering schedules based on factors

such as weather conditions, soil moisture levels, and plant requirements. By incorporating
smart technology, automated sprinkler systems offer greater flexibility and customization

options, enabling users to conserve water while promoting healthy plant growth.

2.4. Automated watering systems

Automated watering systems offer several advantages over traditional manual

methods, including improved water efficiency, reduced labor requirements, and enhanced

plant health. These systems can be configured to deliver precise amounts of water based on

factors such as plant type, soil type, and environmental conditions. Similarly, Drashti Divani

et al.in 2016 stated that In daily operations related to farming or gardening Watering is the

most important cultural practice and the most labor-intensive task. No matter whichever

weather it is, either too hot and dry or too cloudy and wet, you want to be able to control the

amount of water that reaches your plants. Automated watering systems can be integrated with

weather forecasting services to adjust watering schedules dynamically, minimizing water

waste during periods of rainfall or high humidity.

Various types of automated watering systems are available, including drip irrigation,

micro-sprinklers, and sub-surface irrigation systems. Many have created technology related to

automated watering systems. John Michael Cadao et al.in 2021 created an automated

watering system using arduino. An Automatic Plant Watering System Using RTC And Rain

Sensor by Haris Yuana et al., 2023. Solar-Powered Automated Plant/Crop Watering System

by Beed et al., 2015. Each system has its unique advantages and suitability for different urban

gardening scenarios.

2.5. Humidity Sensor

Humidity sensors are widely used in many applications including health care,

pharmaceutical, metrological, food, agricultural, and industrial fields, etc (Durga Nand

Mahaseth & Islam, 2024). Humidity sensors play a crucial role in automated watering

systems by providing real-time data on soil moisture levels. These sensors detect changes in
humidity levels within the soil and transmit signals to the control unit, triggering the

activation or deactivation of the sprinkler system as needed. Bal et al in 2024 stated that

humidity sensors are most used because these are among the most crucial measures to get

appropriate when trying to design surroundings that are comfortable, secure, and consume

less energy. For instance, sectors including heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)

systems, medicine, food processing, pharmaceutical, climatology, microelectronics,

agriculture, and health monitoring are the ones that most frequently employ humidity sensors.

By monitoring soil moisture content, humidity sensors help prevent overwatering or under

watering, ensuring optimal conditions for plant growth.

Many Humidity sensor technology have been created for better use of the humidity

and water vapour sensor it has. Xu et al. in 2024 present a monolithically integrated

multifunctional sensor for respiratory applications, which consists of a bidirectional micro

flow sensor with dual microheaters and a stacked MEMS temperature/humidity sensor.

Importantly, the integrated multifunctional sensor is fabricated using a low-cost CMOS-

compatible MEMS process. Izhar et al. in 2021 present their Parylene based capacitive

humidity sensor which can be used for integrated CMOS compatible thermal comfort

sensing. The sensor comprises of a pair of interdigitated Pt electrodes deposited on a silicon

substrate and a parylene hygroscopic layer deposited on the electrodes using room

temperature chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. A polyimide-based capacitive

humidity sensor based on polyimide sensing material with different thickness and surface

morphologies (Boudaden et al., 2018). The integration of wireless connectivity enables

remote monitoring and data logging, facilitating efficient management of irrigation systems

in urban gardening settings.

2.6. What is Monitoring System Technology?

To detect and prevent failures, it is very convenient to have a good monitoring tool.

Monitoring systems are responsible for supervising the technology a company makes use of

(hardware, networks and communications, operating systems or applications, among others)

in order to analyze its performance, and to detect and alert about possible errors. A good

monitoring system is capable of monitoring devices, infrastructures, applications, services

and even business processes. (Pandora FMS Team, 2024). Real-time monitoring is the

delivery of continuously updated data about systems, processes or events. Such monitoring

provides information streaming at zero or low latency, so there is minimal delay between data

collection and analysis. It enables quick detection of anomalies, performance issues and

critical events. Real-time monitoring is a type of IT monitoring where data is collected from

on-premises hardware, networks, security systems, virtualized environments and the

application stack -- including those in the cloud -- and out to software user interfaces. From

this data, IT staff analyze system performance, flag anomalies and resolve issues. It's a

critical method of maintaining network security and ensuring good end-user experience and

network performance. (Nick Barney, 2024). Four golden signals According to Google there

are four golden signals that should be the focus for IT systems monitoring: Latency. The time

it takes to service a request, i.e. the round-trip time usually in milliseconds. The higher the

latency, the poorer the level of service being experienced — this is where users complain

about slowness and lack of responsiveness. Traffic. A measure of how much demand is being

placed on your system, i.e. requests handled or the number of sessions within a period of

time, taking up configured capacity. As the traffic increases, so does the stress on IT systems,

and the potential to affect customer experience. Errors. The rate of requests that fail, either

explicitly, implicitly, or by policy. Errors point to configuration issues or failure by elements

within the service model. Saturation. A measure of the system fraction, emphasizing the
resources that are most constrained, i.e. how "full" the service is. Exceeding the set

utilization levels would likely lead to performance issues. (Joseph Nduhiu, 2023).

2.7.1. Purpose of system monitoring

According to Dynatrace (2017). System monitoring ensures high performance

for your software. Constant monitoring of your system allows you to manage the

performance and availability of software applications. This leads to quick response

times, improved computing processes and satisfied customers. Especially digital end

user experience is one of the main goals when dealing with real user interactions and

business transactions. Dynatrace system monitoring save the effort of interpreting

such dependent events on your own and directs you to the component that might

cause performance issues or problems for your customers. Fixing, accelerating, and

optimizing your servers and software applications has never been so easy. According

to GO CODES (2023). There are 5 Types of Technologies Used for Asset

Monitoring. And these are the following: QR (Quick Response) Codes, GPS (Global

Positioning System, RFID, NFC (Near-Field Communication), and UWB (Ultra-

Wideband).

2.8. An Automated Irrigation System Using Arduino Microcontroller

“An Automated Irrigation System Using Arduino Microcontroller” by Aslinda et al.

proposes an automated irrigation using Arduino microcontroller system which is cost

effective and can be used farm field or average home garden. The proposed system is

developed to automatically water the plants when the soil moisture sensor has detected the

soil is insufficient of water by using the Arduino as the center core. The automated irrigation

system is a fully functional prototype which consists of a soil moisture sensor; an LCD

display to show the moisture percentage and pump status; a relay module which used to
control the on and off switch of the water pump; and a water pump. When the soil moisture

sensor sense the dry soil, it will show the moisture percentage on the LCD display, and the

relay module will switch on the water pump automatically to start the watering process, or

vice versa. Hardware testing is conducted to ensure the proposed system is fully functional.

(Hassan, et. al 2018).

Automatic irrigation system using soil moisture sensor: The soil moisture sensor can

measure the frequency change caused by the sensor’s dielectric constant in the soil, and then

transform it into a voltage or current relationship corresponding to the soil moisture content,

to achieve accurate measurement of the volumetric moisture content of soil and other porous

media. In simple terms, the soil moisture sensor has three stainless steel probes for inserting

into the soil. The soil moisture sensor buried in the root of the crop monitors the moisture in

the root-soil, and the sensor will monitor the results of “high humidity” and “low humidity”

through the detection circuit. The “too low” signal is transmitted to the main controller

through the encoder, and the main controller determines the control state. If the humidity is

too high, the irrigation will be stopped; if the humidity is too low, the solenoid valve

connected to the water source is controlled by photoelectric isolation and a relay. The system

also has a fault alarm function. The main controller communicates with the host computer

through the communication interface, which can monitor the operating status of the system in

real-time or analyze historical data. (Febrey C Lamsen, 2022).

2.9. Electronic alert feedbacks

Electronic alert feedbacks enhance the functionality of automated watering systems

by providing timely notifications and alerts to users. Monitoring functionality is an essential

element of any network system. Traditional monitoring solutions are mostly used for manual

and infrequent network management tasks (Eissa et al., 2024).

 Gao Bao – yuan, et al. in 2024 made Monitoring System for Gas Pipelines and stated

that this system has the characteristics of fast, accurate, and highly automated detection of

corrosion resistance, effectively controlling the corrosion of natural gas pipelines. Duan &

Wu, 2024 stated that aiming at the problem of poor stability of the intelligent monitoring

system for electronic equipment operation status, an intelligent monitoring system for

electronic equipment operation status based on wireless sensors is designed.

 CHAPTER 3
CONCEPTUAL DESIGN
3.1. Functional Analysis

Figure 3.1 Detailed Block Diagram of the System

At the heart of the system lies an Arduino Uno R3 microcontroller, a versatile

platform capable of interfacing with various sensors and devices for a multitude of projects

that require real-time data processing. The Arduino Uno R3 receives its necessary operating

power from an external power supply, ensuring that the system has a reliable energy source

for its continuous operation. This sensor`s primary function is to measure the humidity levels

in the environment and transform this physical quantity into an electrical signal that can be

understood and processed by the monitoring system, facilitated by the microcontroller. The

monitoring system, while not elaborated upon in this diagram, presumably takes the input

from the humidity sensor and analyzes it. Lastly, the host monitor receives the processed data

from the Arduino Uno R3. The host monitor allows for real-time tracking of the
 environmental conditions, alerting the user to any changes that may require attention or

intervention.

3.2. Function-Means Matrix

Table 3.1 Function-Means Matrix
Means 1 2 3 Preferred
Functions
Sensor Humidity Sensor Soil Moisture Temperature Sensor Humidity Sensor

Display Parameters such Speakers Print results GSM module GSM module
as:
- humidity levels

Process Data Arduino C++/C NI LabVIEW Arduino

(Programming
Language)

Portability Aluminium Plastic Polycarbonate Aluminium

The group chose the following means in compliance with the objective metrics in order

to implement an efficient automated sprinkler. The humidity sensor was advantageous due to

the fact that it can sense the surrounding humidity level and that soil and temperature sensors

would require additional steps and thus, lengthen the execution time to transition between

testing. In order to display important parameters gathered by the humidity sensor, a GSM

module will be utilized as this would require the least amount of time to execute as well as

being the easiest to implement. The preferred programming language by the group was the

Arduino as it is the better programing platform for the project. Aluminium was chosen for

because of its light material but capability to stand alone in fields; this makes the prototype

portable and complies with the objective of the design project.

3.3. Functions – Specifications
Table 3.2 Functions - Specifications
Function Function Specifications Type of Specifications
Sensor The sensor should be able to Performance

sense the humidity levels

accurately.

Display Parameters such as: Must be embedded in the Performance

- humidity levels prototype, clear and organize

for understanding it easily.

Process Data Must be compatible, produce Performance

(Programming nothing or minimal lag as to
Language)
processing Data.

Must be light/portable Should not exceed 1.5kg and Performance

not less than 0.4kg

The sensor was specified as a performance specification because the

Humidity sensor must be able to detect humidity levels accurately. The Process Data and

portability was also specified as a performance because the programming language should

not be lag prone as it is used in processing data and portability must be light and efficient.

The displaying parameters is displayed as a performance because the text should be clear and

organize as it is displayed to the host’s screen.

3.4. Final Design Concept

Figure 3.2 Final Design Concept

Figure 3.2 shows the final design concept of the proposed product and how it functions in

order for the sprinkler to turn on. First,

3.5. Design Flow

 Figure 3.3 Flow Chart of Humidity Sensor Working

This flowchart describes a moisture monitoring and control system specifically

designed to adjust sprinkler system operation based on ambient humidity. Humidity sensors

are important elements of facilities and measure the moisture content of the air. The system

then evaluates the moisture content against the preset moisture threshold. This decision point

determines the system's subsequent actions. When the humidity level falls below a threshold,

indicating a dry environment, the sprinkler system is activated and the irrigation process

begins to address the moisture deficit.

Conversely, if the detected humidity exceeds the configured threshold, the

system detects a suitable humidity level in the environment and determines that irrigation is

not required. This saves water and energy as the system remains stopped. After a decision

and its corresponding action, the system typically provides a delay of 60 seconds to ensure a

pause in which no further actions are taken. This delay is an important part of the loop to

prevent abrupt switching of sprinkler status.

3.6. Hardware Implementation

3.7. Software Implementation

The code begins by including the necessary library for the DHT11 sensor:

#include "DHT.h"

Next, it defines the pins used for the DHT11 sensor and the relay:

#define DHT11_PIN 2 // Define the Arduino pin connected to the DHT11 sensor
#define RELAY_PIN 5 // Define the Arduino pin to control the relay (connected to pin 5)

An instance of the DHT11 sensor is created:

DHT dht11(DHT11_PIN, DHT11); // Create a DHT11 object

In the setup() function:

- Serial communication is initialized at a baud rate of 9600.
- The DHT11 sensor is initialized using dht11.begin().
- The relay pin is set as an output using pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT).

The loop() function:

- Reads humidity data from the DHT11 sensor using dht11.readHumidity().
- If the humidity reading is valid (not NaN), it prints the humidity value to the serial monitor.
- If the humidity is below 54%, it turns on the relay (connected to pin 5) using
digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH).
- Otherwise, it turns off the relay using digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW).

Safety measures include checking for valid sensor readings and adding a delay of 2 seconds
between measurements.
3.7.1. Humidity Sensor

Figure 3.4 Humidity Sensor Humidity Level Detection Code

 The code begins by including the necessary library for the DHT11 sensor: #include

"DHT.h" Next, it defines the pins used for the DHT11 sensor and the relay: #define

DHT11_PIN 2 // Define the Arduino pin connected to the DHT11 sensor #define

RELAY_PIN 5 // Define the Arduino pin to control the relay (connected to pin 5) An

instance of the DHT11 sensor is created: DHT dht11(DHT11_PIN, DHT11); // Create a

DHT11 object In the setup() function - Serial communication is initialized at a baud rate of

9600. - The DHT11 sensor is initialized using dht11.begin(). - The relay pin is set as an

output using pinMode(RELAY_PIN, OUTPUT). The loop() function: - Reads humidity data

from the DHT11 sensor using dht11.readHumidity(). - If the humidity reading is valid (not

NaN), it prints the humidity value to the serial monitor. - If the humidity is below 54%, it

turns on the relay (connected to pin 5) using digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, HIGH). - Otherwise,

it turns off the relay using digitalWrite(RELAY_PIN, LOW). Safety measures include

checking for valid sensor readings and adding a delay of 2 seconds between measurements.

3.9. Modelling and Design

The design of the product combines the materials used in the hardware and the other

components such as the Tubing/Hose and the sprinkler. Other parts such as the arduino UNO,

Humidity Sensor, Water pump GSM module, and other components where bought online.

3.8. Mathematical Procedure

Table 3.3 Mathematical Procedure of the design Project
Mathematical Method Formula

Standard Deviation
 Variance

Averaging means

Table 3.3 shows the formulas used in the calculations to evaluate the design project

results . Standard deviation is used to determine whether a device is consistent. On the other

hand, the variance formula is used because it can be used as a test method for standard

deviation. Finally, average values are one of the most commonly used formulas to evaluate

project results.

3.9. Evaluation Procedure and Criteria

In order to meet the requirements of the empirical rule, the group will test at least 30 trials.

Each criteria will have 30 trials each to test accuracy, consistency, reliability, testing speed/

execution time, and portability.

3.9.1. Accuracy

In testing the accuracy of of the device

3.9.2. Consistency

In order to determine the performance of the proposed project over several trials, the group

will also use averaging method as well as the empirical rule. First the average or mean
execution time for testing t will be measured, then the group will solve for the standard

deviation of the entire sample population. The group will then measure the total number of

samples that are within two standard deviations from the sample mean, and this will become

the measure of the consistency for the proposed product.

3.9.3. Reliability

In measuring the reliability of the device, the group will take into consideration the

accuracy and consistency of the project. The device will be deemed as reliable if it has

managed to garner a rating of both accurate and consistent in the metrics of accuracy and

consistency.

3.9.4. Testing Speed/ Execution Time

In acquiring the testing speed/execution time of the proposed project, the group will

use averaging method. First, the researchers will test how fast the sprinkler turns on after

detecting the specified humidity levels fot the sprinkler to turn on. The results will then be

averaged and compared to the expected execution time.

3.9.5. Portability

In order to determine if the project is portable, the group will measure the weight of the

proposed. Then the group will then observe if it is within the acceptable range of weights.