Title of Abstract: A High-Reliability Database-Supported Modular Precision Irrigation System
Authors of Abstract: N. Kamel1, S. Sharaf1, A. El-Shafei2, D. Yousef1
Affiliations: 1. Arab Open University, 2. University of Alexandria
Body of Abstract: Reliability and flexibility of sensor network-based systems are real concerns in precision irrigation systems in places where fault repair is slow and where farms have a wide range of sizes and irrigation methods. A database-supported modular precision irrigation system was designed and developed at the Arab Open University in collaboration with the University of Alexandria. The system consists of isolated, self-contained modules for the weather station, valve control assemblies and soil sensor pods with well defined interfaces. Water release decisions for a given crop in a given locality are made based on the data received from the sensor network, information retrieved from a historical crop and weather database, manually, or by using hybrid methods based on combinations of those sources/methods. Preliminary results indicate that the database-support allows system operation with faulty sensors for longer periods until repairs can be made in the field, and stronger potential for more precise irrigation that is less sensitive to abnormal weather fluctuations. Furthermore, the modularity of the system allows reduction in system costs due to exclusion of unwanted modules, system augmentation by plugging in new modules, simpler customization, more flexible and scalable design and better suitability to a wider range of use conditions. The system is useful for application to varying farm sizes from small family farms to large organized farms and to different irrigation methods (sprinkler, drip and flood). In the Nile basin, where water is a contested commodity, the availability of home-grown systems with lower costs, more robustness and better flexibility is a much needed and promising direction of research and development.
Keywords: Modular Systems, Precision Irrigation, Sensor Networks, Reliability
