Adaptive Sensing: Micro-Controller Meshed Network ImplementationsJavier Guillen, Dr.Suzanne Pierce, Je’aime Powell,

Robert Schultz, AnaPatricia Olvera Medina , Mohammad AliCyber Infrastructure Research 4 Social Change

Texas Advanced Computing CenterThe University of Texas at Austin

Fort Valley State University

Award #1852538

Abstract

Modern cyberinfrastructure and sampling technology can provide real-time measurements to help improve and conserve water use. The main goal of this project focused on utilizing The Particle Meshing Network Method in order to create a more itinerant finished project that can work wirelessly over the air (OTA), generating multiple accurate measurements over a specified target area. The benefit of this research implementation is to contribute to the community by saving money while maximizing crop production. The anticipated design is to have multiple Xenon's stationed in separate locations reading the soil moisture of the different areas, which will then feed into the Boron through a meshed network. From the Boron, the measurements are captured and sent to the CHORDS framework to ingest real-time data, visualize the data using Grafana, and export data for use in applications such as the DataX scientific gateway for modeling and data integration; ultimately creating a Heatmap displaying the moisture content of the specified area.

IntroductionParticle Microcontroller Meshing is a method employed to connect multiple devices together wirelessly so that data can be recorded and sent in unison. In essence it can be compared to a Bluetooth style network. However there is a noticeable difference between the setup processes. For the research conducted at the Texas Advanced Computing Center a Boron and multiple Xenon's were used, both of which were crucial to the development of the project.

Process

• After downloading the particle app on a mobile device, an account was created solely for the purpose of meshing the Boron and Xenon's for the soil moisture sensors. After the account was created, then the focus shifted to the set up of the Boron LTE. After setting up the Boron LTE using the Particle app on the mobile device and following the procedures, a mesh network was created.

• The next step was to set up the Xenon's and conjoin them into the network made previously by the boron. The most important part of the setup is making sure that the device(s) are connected to the breadboard and plugged into a stable power source. Excluding this step will likely cause more problems.

• After setting up the Xenon's and establishing the network, sensors were connected to the Boron and Xenon's using Dupoint wires. This part was relatively easy since all there was to do was Dupoint wires into the respective pins on both the sensor and breadboard that the Xenon/Boron was connected to (after which the blinking light should become cyan).Lastly, the final step was to create the code in order to bring the sensors online.

Results

Future Work

Conclusion

The final design consisted of two boxes, with one on a post housing the Boron and Xenon’s making it capable of withstanding environmental conditions. We also installed a solar panel at the top of the post so that there would be a reliable form of energy ensuring maximum durability. In order to make sure that the final design is motile, cables where extended from the post to the second box. Near to the second box was another sensor array that was placed into the ground, this array was capable of measuring soil moisture content at three different depths: six inches, twelve inches, and twenty-four inches.

Ultimately, the attempt to take raw data and create graphs of the information proved successful. Upon completion, it was understood that the importance of this project lies in helping communities improve irrigation practices. Allowing for the maximum output using minimal funding. [3]This project implements the research for social change aspect while proving how the Particle Meshing Method can be used in various ways, outlining its importance. Since the IS-Geo Team was able to successfully identify a problem and create a solution, it is possible to recreate a more refined project that can be used in multiple communities across the country.

Seeing that using the Particle Mesh Method proved to be effective in the construction of the soil moisture sensor array, it could play a crucial role in the near future. Specifically helping community farms better manage water consumption in order to save money. The next step could be to create a more efficient design that would use only what is necessary while still maintaining reliability. Another idea would be to use a mobile device to display the data using augmented reality.

- [1]Article title:Particle. Website title:Docs.particle.ioURL:https://docs.particle.io/quickstart/boron/- [2]Article title:Index. Website title: Ptdatax.tacc.utexas.eduURL:https://ptdatax.tacc.utexas.edu/- [3]Article title: PT2050 CHORDS Portal. Website title: Chords.tacc.cloud. URL: http://chords.tacc.cloud/- [4]Article title: Grafana. Website title: Chords.tacc.cloud.

URL:http://chords.tacc.cloud:3000/d/37cT8oPmk/tacc-wx?refresh=1m&orgId=1- [5]Author: Capacitive. Article title: sensors: Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor Module. Website title:

Factoryexpress.eu.URL:http://www.factoryexpress.eu/sensors/capacitive-soil-moisture-sensor-module-detail

- [6]Article title: intelligent-systems-and -geosciences/MoonFarm. websitetitle:GitHub.URL:https://github.com/intelligent-systems-and-geosciences/MoonFarm

References

Figure 1: Soil Moisture Sensor

Figure 2: Boron Microcontroller

Figure 4: Data from soil moisture sensor

Figure 3: Side-by-side linear plot and Heatmap of Soil Moisture made in Grafana