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A Remote Irrigation Monitoring and Control System for continuous move systems. Part A: description and development

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Abstract

Continuous move irrigation systems have been modified since the 1990s to support variable rate irrigation. Most of these systems used PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers) technology that performed well for on-site control but were very expensive to add remote, real-time monitoring and control aspects that have been made possible by wireless sensor networks and the Internet. A new approach to the monitoring and control of continuous move irrigation systems is described. This system uses a Single Board Computer (SBC) using the Linux operating system to control solenoids connected to individual or groups of nozzles based on prescribed application maps. The main control box houses the SBC connected to a sensor network radio, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit, and an Ethernet radio creating a wireless connection to a remote server. A C-software control program resides on the SBC to control the on/off time for each nozzle group using a “time on” application map developed remotely. The SBC also interfaces with the sensor network radio to record measurements from sensors on the irrigation system and in the field that monitor performance and soil and crop conditions. The SBC automatically populates a remote database on the server in real time and provides software applications to monitor and control the irrigation system through the Internet.

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Notes

  1. Mention of trade or commercial products in this article is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or Washington State University.

Abbreviations

CP:

Center pivot

CPAS:

Center for precision agricultural systems

DGPS:

Differential global positioning system

DSS:

Decision support system

GIS:

Geographical information system

GPS:

Global positioning system

LM:

Linear move

PE:

Polyethylene

PLC:

Programmable logic controller

RF:

Radio frequency

RIMCS:

Remote irrigation monitoring and control system

SBC:

Single board controller

TIR:

Thermal infrared

UTM:

Universal transverse mercator

WEB:

Wireless ethernet bridge

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Acknowledgments

This research was possible thanks to funding received from the USDA-ARS-NPARL and WSU through a co-operative agreement. The authors also extend their gratitude to the following individuals who collaborated: Dr. Hal Collins, Gary R. Matthew, Eileen Perry, Lynne Hartz, John Wilson, Jason Andrews, Yunseop Kim, and Bruno Guerra. Furthermore, the authors appreciate the comments and suggestions of anonymous reviewers who helped improve the quality of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USDA-ARS, Conservation and Production Research Laboratory, Bushland, TX, 79109, USA

    José L. Chávez

  2. Center for Precision Agricultural Systems, Washington State University, Prosser, WA, 99350, USA

    Francis J. Pierce & Todd V. Elliott

  3. USDA-ARS, Northern Plains Agricultural Research Laboratory, Sidney, MT, 59270, USA

    Robert G. Evans

Authors
  1. José L. Chávez
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  2. Francis J. Pierce
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  3. Todd V. Elliott
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  4. Robert G. Evans
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Correspondence to José L. Chávez.

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Chávez, J.L., Pierce, F.J., Elliott, T.V. et al. A Remote Irrigation Monitoring and Control System for continuous move systems. Part A: description and development. Precision Agric 11, 1–10 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-009-9109-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-009-9109-1

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