PROJECT REPORT

MICROPROCESSOR BASED
SYSTEMS (EL - 224)

(SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR)

USING ARDUINO

GROUP MEMBERS:
MUHAMMAD IBAD 17B-005-TE
HEMAYAT ALI 17B-017-TE
 ABSTRACT:

The light sensing robot moves

to the direction of light. If the
light falls on the left
side, then it will move towards
the left side and same for right
side. If the light on
both sides is same then it will
go straight.
• The model contains
sensors (Light Dependant
Resistors), comparators,
drivers,
motors, light sources and power
source.
• Normally LDR (Light
Dependant Resistor) has very
high dark resistance, but
when it is illuminated with
light, resistance drops.
• The voltage across this
resistor is fed to the
comparator, which compares
this
voltage with a reference voltage
and gives output according to
that. If the output
voltage of LDR is more than
the reference voltage, the
comparator will give
output of 5 V.
The light sensing robot moves
to the direction of light. If the
light falls on the left
side, then it will move towards
the left side and same for right
side. If the light on
both sides is same then it will
go straight.
• The model contains
sensors (Light Dependant
Resistors), comparators,
drivers,
motors, light sources and power
source.
• Normally LDR (Light
Dependant Resistor) has very
high dark resistance, but
when it is illuminated with
light, resistance drops.
• The voltage across this
resistor is fed to the
comparator, which compares
this
voltage with a reference voltage
and gives output according to
that. If the output
voltage of LDR is more than
the reference voltage, the
comparator will give
output of 5 V.
n this paper, a review of soil
moisture sensors and its possible
preparation of them from
nanomaterials ispresented.
Introduction to the soil, the role
of nanotechnology in agriculture,
the definition of soil moisture,
the need for soil
moisture detection and methods
of itsdetection are discussed.
The works of some researchers
to detect this soil
parameter moisture contentis also
discussed. Finally, conclusion,
personal recommendations, and
future outlooks will
be given based on the existing
work.
n this paper, a review of soil
moisture sensors and its possible
preparation of them from
nanomaterials ispresented.
Introduction to the soil, the role
of nanotechnology in agriculture,
the definition of soil moisture,
the need for soil
moisture detection and methods
of itsdetection are discussed.
The works of some researchers
to detect this soil
parameter moisture contentis also
discussed. Finally, conclusion,
personal recommendations, and
future outlooks will
be given based on the existing
work.
In this project report we discussed about the Sensors mainly IR sensor and Soil
Moisture sensor, and the possible ways of making an own Soil Moisture Sensor using
Arduino device. Soil moisture sensors measure the volumetric water content in soil. The
relation between the measured property and soil moisture must be calibrated and may
vary depending on environmental factors such as soil type, temperature, or electric
conductivity. Applications are Measuring soil moisture is important for agricultural
applications to help farmers manage their irrigation systems more efficiently. It works on
the principle of capacitance to measure dielectric permittivity of the surrounding
medium.
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION:....................................................................................................................................3
IR SENSOR:..............................................................................................................................................3
SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR:........................................................................................................................3
APPLICATION:.......................................................................................................................................3
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM: ............................................................................................................................4
CONSTRUCTION:...................................................................................................................................4
WORKING:...............................................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION:........................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION:
IR SENSOR:
An infrared sensor is an electronic device, that emits in order to sense some aspects of the
surroundings. An IR sensor can measure the heat of an object as well as detects the motion.
These types of sensors measure only infrared radiation, rather than emitting it that is called a
passive IR sensor. Usually, in the infrared spectrum, all the objects radiate some form of
thermal radiation.
These types of radiations are invisible to our eyes, which can be detected by an infrared sensor.
The emitter is simply an IR LED (Light Emitting Diode) and the detector is simply an IR
photodiode that is sensitive to IR light of the same wavelength as that emitted by the IR LED.
When IR light falls on the photodiode, the resistances and the output voltages will change in
proportion to the magnitude of the IR light received.

SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR:

Soil moisture sensors measure the volumetric water content in soil. Since the direct gravimetric
measurement of free soil moisture requires removing, drying, and weighing of a sample, soil
moisture sensors measure the volumetric water content indirectly by using some other property
of the soil, such as electrical resistance, dielectric constant, or interaction with neutrons, as a
proxy for the moisture content.
The relation between the measured property and soil moisture must be calibrated and may vary
depending on environmental factors such as soil type, temperature, or electric conductivity.
Reflected microwave radiation is affected by the soil moisture and is used for remote sensing in
hydrology and agriculture. Portable probe instruments can be used by farmers or gardeners.

APPLICATION:
The Soil Moisture Sensor is used to measure the volumetric water content of soil. This makes it
ideal for performing experiments in courses such as soil science, agricultural science,
environmental science, horticulture, botany, and biology.
Agriculture:
Measuring soil moisture is important for agricultural applications to help farmers manage their
irrigation systems more efficiently. Knowing the exact soil moisture conditions on their fields, not
only are farmers able to generally use less water to grow a crop, they are also able to increase
yields and the quality of the crop by improved management of soil moisture during critical plant
growth stages.
Irrigation:
In urban and suburban areas, landscapes and residential lawns are using soil moisture sensors
to interface with an irrigation controller. Connecting a soil moisture sensor to a simple irrigation
clock will convert it into a "smart" irrigation controller that prevents irrigation cycles when the soil
is already wet, e.g. following a recent rainfall event.
 CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:

CONSTRUCTION:
The soil moisture sensor consists of two probes that are used to measure the volumetric
content of water. The two probes allow the current to pass through the soil, which gives the
resistance value to measure the moisture value.
When there is water, the soil will conduct more electricity, which means that there will be less
resistance. Dry soil conducts electricity poorly, so when there is less water, then the soil will
conduct less electricity, which means that there will be more resistance.
This sensor can be connected in analog and digital modes. First, we will connect it in analog
mode, and then digital.
Specifications:
The specifications of the FC-28 soil moisture sensor are as follows:

 Input Voltage: 3.3–5V

 Output Voltage: 0–4.2V
 Input Current: 35mA
 Output Signal: both analog and digital

Pin-Out:
The soil moisture sensor has four pins:

 VCC: Power
 A0: Analog Output
 D0: Digital Output
 GND: Ground
The module also contains a potentiometer, which will set the threshold value. This threshold
value will be compared by the LM393 comparator. The output LED will light up and down
according to this threshold value.

Analog Mode Connections:

Connect the soil moisture sensor to the Arduino as follows:

 VCC of the FC-28 to 5V of the Arduino

 GND of the FC-28 to GND of the Arduino
 A0 of the FC-28 to A0 of the Arduino

Digital Mode Connections:

The connections for the soil moisture sensor and the Arduino in digital mode are as follows:

 VCC of FC-28 to 5V of Arduino

 GND of FC-28 to GND of Arduino
 D0 of FC-28 to pin 12 of Arduino
 LED positive to pin 13 of Arduino
 LED negative to GND of Arduino

WORKING:
The Soil Moisture Sensor uses capacitance to measure dielectric permittivity of the surrounding
medium. In soil, dielectric permittivity is a function of the water content. The sensor creates a
voltage proportional to the dielectric permittivity, and therefore the water content of the soil.
The sensor averages the water content over the entire length of the sensor. There is a 2 cm
zone of influence with respect to the flat surface of the sensor, but it has little or no sensitivity at
the extreme edges. The figure above shows the electromagnetic field lines along a cross-
section of the sensor, illustrating the 2 cm zone of influence.

CONCLUSION:
The Soil Moisture Sensor using Arduino, allows us to measure the volumetric water content in
soil. This makes it ideal for performing experiments in courses such as soil science, agricultural
science, environmental science, horticulture, botany, and biology. The soil moisture sensor
consists of two probes that are used to measure the volumetric content of water. This sensor
can be connected in analog and digital modes. The Soil Moisture Sensor uses capacitance to
measure dielectric permittivity of the surrounding medium. In soil, dielectric permittivity is a
function of the water content. The sensor creates a voltage proportional to the dielectric
permittivity, and therefore the water content of the soil.
It helps farmers to save water, to increase yields and to increase quality of the crop.