Computer Science and Information Technologies

Vol. 5, No. 2, July 2024, pp. 168~175

ISSN: 2722-3221, DOI: 10.11591/csit.v5i2.pp168-175  168

Smart irrigation system using node microcontroller unit

ESP8266 and Ubidots cloud platform

Tole Sutikno1,2,3 , Ahmad Nur Wahyudi2, Tri Wahono1,3 , Watra Arsadiando3, Hendril Satrian Purnama3
1
Master Program of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
2
Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia
3
Embedded System and Power Electronics Research Group, Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Article Info ABSTRACT

Article history: The agricultural irrigation system is extremely important. For optimal harvest
yields, farmers must manage rice plant quality by monitoring water, soil, and
Received Mar 23, 2024 temperature on agricultural fields. If market demand rises, traditional rice field
Revised Apr 28, 2024 irrigation in Indonesia will make things harder for farmers. This modern era
Accepted May 12, 2024 requires a system that lets farmers monitor and regulate agricultural fields
anywhere, anytime. We need a solution that can control the irrigation system
remotely using an internet of things (IoT) device and a smartphone. This study
Keywords: employed the Ubidots IoT cloud platform. In addition, the study uses soil
moisture and temperature sensors to monitor conditions in agricultural
Internet of things regions, while pumps function as irrigation systems. The test results indicate
Irrigation the proper design of the system. Each trial collected data. The pump will turn
Node microcontroller unit on and off automatically based on soil moisture criteria, with the pump active
Smartphone while the soil moisture is less than 20% and deactivated when the soil moisture
Ubidots exceeds 20%. In simulation mode, the pump operates for an average of 0–5
seconds of watering. The monitoring system shows the current soil
temperature and moisture levels. Temperature sensors respond in 1-3 seconds,
whereas soil moisture sensors respond in 0–4 seconds.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA license.

Corresponding Author:
Tole Sutikno
Master Program of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Technology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan
Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION
Agriculture and food are two of the most important industrial sectors in the world, including in
Indonesia. As an agricultural country, agriculture has a major impact on food security and the welfare of the
Indonesian people. In an effort to obtain optimal agricultural results, it is necessary to pay attention to various
aspects that support plant growth, one of which is good irrigation. Irrigation is an effort to provide and regulate
water artificially from available water sources on agricultural land. Plants receive water on a regular basis,
particularly when the soil lacks sufficient water to meet their growth needs. The main purpose of the irrigation
system is to ensure that plants can grow well and produce optimal agricultural products.
Conventional irrigation systems are extremely time-consuming and require a lot of labor to monitor
land conditions on a regular basis. The time and labor required to manage an irrigation system increase in
proportion to the land area [1]. Conventional irrigation systems lack automatic control, which can lead to over-
or under-irrigation, hindering optimal plant growth or even causing plant death. Aside from that, there are vital
elements that plants need in managing the irrigation system, such as temperature and soil moisture.
Conventional agriculture still manually monitors soil temperature and moisture, and irrigates rice [1]–[6].

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Comput Sci Inf Technol ISSN: 2722-3221  169

Therefore, to ensure effective and efficient irrigation, we need a smart irrigation system that we can control
remotely, either automatically or manually.
Smart irrigation systems can be built by utilizing electronic devices that are integrated with software
systems with algorithms that have been prepared according to needs. Researchers have widely used AI-based
intelligent algorithms in various fields, including smart agriculture [4], [5], [7]–[13]. Conversely, researchers
have extensively explored the use of IoT technology for remote control and monitoring researchers [1], [5],
[7]–[9], [11]–[15], [16]–[20]. Smart agricultural systems widely use IoT technology due to its ability to perform
real-time monitoring and control remotely [5], [7], [8], [21]–[26].
Silalahi et al. [11] build a prototype using Raspberry Pi and Python-based internet of things. The goal
of this research is to develop a new model for monitoring and controlling rice fields, with the ability to display
each condition using the internet of things. The study by Guzman et al. [19] suggests that we should create and
implement an Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring system for greenhouses. This would allow small-scale
environmental control by understanding how the different agroecological variables affect the process. This
would allow us to come up with different ways to control the variables of lighting, nutrition, and irrigation.
Krishnan et al. [13] proposed a smart irrigation system that helps farmers irrigate their agricultural
land using the global system for mobile communications (GSM). This system provides acknowledgment
messages about work status, such as soil moisture level, ambient temperature, and motor status regarding main
power supply or solar power. Amassmir et al. [15] proposed a comparison of three machine learning algorithms
for better intelligent irrigation systems based on the Internet of Things (IoT) for different products. This paper
uses an Arduino UNO and a Raspberry Pi as hardware components. We use the Digital Humidity and
Temperature (DHT) 11 as both a temperature and humidity reader and a soil moisture sensor to determine the
irrigation status.
Monitoring soil moisture, air temperature, and automatic watering systems are the main parts of a
smart irrigation system. A relevant sensor, processor, and actuator system are required for this system's design.
This research proposes an irrigation system capable of monitoring soil moisture, temperature, and an automatic
watering system. There are several sensors, such as DHT22 and soil moisture sensors, placed in agricultural
areas. Furthermore, the Ubidots application will receive the sensor data and store it in a cloud database. Users
receive the processed data on agricultural land conditions. We use ESP8266 as a data processor and to
automatically control the irrigation system.

2. PROPOSED AUTOMATIC IRRIGATION SYSTEM

This research divides system design into two stages: the software design stage and the hardware design
stage. The first stage of design, especially software realization, includes designing algorithms, flowcharts, and
programs. The second stage of design includes designing and realizing a hardware system, such as block
diagrams and electronic system wiring diagrams.

2.1. System design

The main component, NodeMCU, serves as a microcontroller in the design of a smart irrigation
system, enabling remote use via WiFi. Figure 1(a) depicts a block diagram of the water flow process system
for agricultural land irrigation, utilizing NodeMCU ESP8266, and enabling monitoring via the Ubidots
application. Figure 1(b) displays the flow diagram. Figure 2 shows the wiring diagram of the proposed system.
The system comprises the following components: i) NodeMCU ESP8266; ii) soil moisture sensor module;
iii) soil moisture sensor probe; iv) DHT22 sensor; v) DC-DC converter module; vi) DC jack for power input;
vii) DC relay; and viii) DC motor pump. First, the soil moisture sensor will automatically read the soil moisture
value. The microcontroller will process this value and subsequently activate or deactivate the pump. The
microcontroller activates the pump when the soil moisture value falls below 20%, and deactivates it when the
soil moisture value exceeds 20%. The DHT-22 sensor then measures both hot and cold temperatures around
the agricultural area. When the weather is warm, the DHT 22 sensor sends data to the NodeMCU and also
sends it to Ubidots, allowing users to see the room temperature percentage via the Ubidots application. The
voltage used throughout the system is 12 volts.

2.2. Designing IoT

The software design process that involves creating program code begins with initializing the
component ports and program libraries of the components used so that they function properly. We create
program code using the Arduino integrated development environment (IDE) software and then compile it into
the NodeMCU ESP8266. The microcontroller serves as a device control system, sending data to the ubidots
application.

Smart irrigation system using NodeMCU ESP8266 and Ubidots cloud platfom (Tole Sutikno)
170  ISSN: 2722-3221

(a)

(b)

Figure 1. System design: (a) block diagram and (b) flowchart

Figure 2. Wiring diagram of the sytem prototype

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Comput Sci Inf Technol ISSN: 2722-3221  171

2.3. Ubidots application

Ubidots is a cloud service that provides intuitive and user-friendly services. User interfaces allow
users to interact with a variety of devices, from mobile phones and computers to embedded systems such as
microcontrollers. Ubidots serves as a platform that connects various devices to a cloud database, storing
variables for easy and quick viewing. To use the Ubidots application, users must first register. The Ubidots
application requires registration to facilitate the use of its features.
The software design process that involves creating program code begins with initializing the
component ports and program libraries of the components used so that they function properly. We create
program code using the Arduino IDE software and then compile it into the NodeMCU ESP8266. The
microcontroller serves as a device control system, sending data to the ubidots application. The program code
used to connect IoT devices to the Ubidots application is shown in Table 1 #define TOKEN "BBFF-
b2mYABR1CJ1adgARoCDKl3gQUz1obe" is a token code which is obtained in the application on Ubidots.
Meanwhile the program code used to read the sensors used in this application is shown in Table 2.

Table 1. Code programs connecting to Ubidots

client.setDebug(true);
client.wifiConnection(WIFINAME, WIFIPASS);
client.begin(callback);
#define TOKEN "BBFF-b2mYABR1CJ1adgARoCDKl3gQUz1obe"

Table 2. Code programs of sensors

nilai_analog=analogRead(soil_pin);
persentase=(100-((nilai_analog/1023.00) * 100));
float tempC=dht_sensor.readTemperature();

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The equipment used in this test is shown in Figure 3, which consists of: i) the soil as a medium;
ii) the main controller and sensor unit; iii) a DC power supply; iv) a water and pumping system; and v) a soil
moisture tester. First, we test the temperature sensors in an agricultural area to determine if the temperature is
stable or uneven. The goal is to determine the temperature around the agricultural area. The second test is the
soil moisture test, which determines whether the soil is dry or wet. The objective is to have the DC pump flow
water if the soil is dry, and to stop watering if the soil is stable. We will calibrate the soil moisture with a Fluke
thermal measuring instrument and then check the accuracy of the DHT 22 sensor and soil moisture sensor.
Once we've inspected every tool, we'll neatly arrange the designed ones in a box. The final test is to test the
entire system by connecting a 220V power source to the available tools. Once everything is in place, the next
step involves connecting the NodeMCU to WiFi, enabling remote control via a smartphone.

Figure 3. System testing and calibration unit

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3.1. Soil to pump sensor automation testing

The essence of the automation achieved in this test is that when the unit is connected to an electrical
source, the sensor activates, followed by the 5V DC pump if the soil becomes too dry. Results of the automation
tests for sensors and soil pumps. Table 3 displays the data from the test results. The testing of the soil sensor
system on pumps using the Internet of Things went as planned. The tool is operated by pressing the button on
the Ubidots Platform provided. If the sensor value is between 0 and 20%, the pump will activate automatically.
If the sensor value is greater than 20%, the pump will turn off automatically.

Table 3. Automatic test of soil sensor to pump

Automated testing of tools Soil moisture sensor value (%) Pump condition
1 0 On
2 25 Off
3 18 On
4 17 On
5 19 On
6 44 Off
7 45 Off
8 34 Off
9 50 Off
10 10 On

3.2. System testing tools to Ubidots

Figure 4 depicts the NodeMCU sending data to the ubidot when connected to a power supply. The
device system will then communicate with the ubidot via a hotspot to monitor the sensor and condition. When
the tool is in operation, the signal strength can have an impact on the delivery of detected data. It is heavily
reliant on the internet network's stability.

Figure 4. Tool system testing to Ubidot

3.3. Overall system testing

Figure 5(a) shows that in the 6× temperature test, the results were considered perfectly normal, namely
at the highest temperature in the range of 30°C at 13:00 and at the lowest temperature at 07:00, it was 24°C.
When the soil moisture sensor shows a value of less than 20%, the pump will irrigate dry land due to a lack of
moisture. We obtained the lowest water content at number 9 on the first day of data collection, and the highest
at number 29. As we know, temperature has a significant impact on soil quality. If the temperature is too high,
the soil will be extremely dry. Conversely, if the temperature is low, the soil will become slightly damp. The
first experiment identified the soil as dry, as it failed to detect any previous soil condition. The water did not
flow, and subsequent experiments were based on the first. Figure 5(b) shows that in this experiment, the
temperature can be considered lower than on day 1, because on day 2, the lowest temperature was 22 °C and
the highest temperature was around 31 °C. Ultimately, the successful execution of the experiment hinges on
the soil sensor's activity during this period. On the second day of the experiment, we recorded the driest point
at 07.00 and the wettest at 09.00, both at a level of 29%.

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(a) (b)

Figure 5. Overall system testing (a) first day assesment and (b) second day assesment

4. CONCLUSION
This study effectively created an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled automatic irrigation system device
using the UBIDOTS platform. The device allows for remote monitoring and control of agricultural field
conditions. The test results indicate that the device performs effectively, demonstrating a high level of success.
The soil moisture threshold is utilized to ascertain the activation and deactivation of irrigation systems. For this
study, we established a threshold of 20%. This means that the pump is triggered when the soil moisture drops
below 20% and turns off when the humidity surpasses 20%. We regulate soil moisture levels to ensure
consistent and optimal growth and development of plants. The pump operates for an average duration of 0-5
seconds for irrigation under simulated conditions. The monitoring system provides real-time information on
the current levels of soil temperature and moisture. The response time of temperature sensors in the distribution
system ranges from 1 to 3 seconds, while for soil moisture sensors it ranges from 0 to 4 seconds.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Embedded Systems and Power Electronics Research Group (ESPERG), a research institute at
Ahmad Dahlan University, assisted with the research that led to this paper.

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BIOGRAPHIES OF AUTHORS

Tole Sutikno is a lecturer and the head of the Master Program of Electrical
Engineering at the Faculty of Industrial Technology at Universitas Ahmad Dahlan (UAD) in
Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He received his Bachelor of Engineering from Universitas
Diponegoro in 1999, Master of Engineering from Universitas Gadjah Mada in 2004, and
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia in 2016.
All three degrees are in electrical engineering. He has been a Professor at UAD in
Yogyakarta, Indonesia, since July 2023, following his tenure as an Associate Professor in
June 2008. He is the current Editor-in-Chief of TELKOMNIKA and Head of the Embedded
Systems and Power Electronics Research Group (ESPERG). He is one of the top 2% of
researchers worldwide, according to Stanford University and Elsevier BV's list of the most
influential scientists from 2021 to the present. His research interests cover digital design,
industrial applications, industrial electronics, industrial informatics, power electronics, motor
drives, renewable energy, FPGA applications, embedded systems, artificial intelligence,
intelligent control, digital libraries, and information technology. He can be contacted at email:
[email protected].

Ahmad Nur Wahyudi received a B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from

Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia, in 2023. His research interests include renewable
energy technology, robotics, and the internet of things. He can be contacted at email:
[email protected].

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Tri Wahono is currently a researcher at the Embedded System and Power

Electronics Research Group (ESPERG), Indonesia. He received a bachelor's degree in
Electrical Engineering from Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, in 2017, and
he is currently a master student in the Master Program of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of
Industrial Technology, Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia. His research interests include
power electronics, renewable energy technology, robotics, and the internet of things. He can
be contacted at email: [email protected].

Watra Arsadiando received B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from Universitas

Ahmad Dahlan, Indonesia, in 2017. He is a member of the Embedded Systems and Power
Electronics Research Group (ESPERG). His current research interests include renewable
energy, robotics, and digital control system. He can be contacted at email:
[email protected], [email protected].

Hendril Satrian Purnama received his B. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from

Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2017. After receiving his degree, he
became a member of the Embedded Systems and Power Electronics Research Group
(ESPERG), and worked there as a researcher. In addition, he is also active as assistant editor
in several international journals in the field of electrical engineering, computer and
informatics. His research interests include power electronics, renewable energy technology,
robotics, and the internet of things. He can be contacted at email: [email protected].

Smart irrigation system using NodeMCU ESP8266 and Ubidots cloud platfom (Tole Sutikno)