Greenhouses have emerged as pivotal tools in modern agriculture, fostering an environment where plants can flourish irrespective of external climatic conditions. This paper delves into the pivotal role of greenhouses and explores the efficacy of a sophisticated monitoring and control system in optimizing crop yield. The integration of a PIC Microcontroller and various sensors establishes a comprehensive automated system, ensuring precise control over crucial environmental parameters such as humidity, temperature, light intensity, and soil moisture.
The heart of the system lies in the PIC16F877A-based circuit, orchestrating a seamless comparison of real-time sensor values with predefined thresholds tailored for specific plants. This enables automated control of cooling, heating, and irrigation systems, reducing the need for human intervention and offering a cost-effective solution for maximizing yields. The accompanying greenhouse monitoring and control software further enhances the system's capabilities by collecting, displaying, and recording environmental data in real-time.
The intricate dance of sensors begins with a meticulous power-on sequence, relying on the precision of the 7805 regulator to provide a stable 5V supply to the microcontroller. Sensors such as the Soil Moisture Sensor, Light Dependent Resistor (LDR), and DHT11 sensor capture environmental nuances, translating them into tangible representations on the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). The system dynamically responds to fluctuating conditions, activating cooling fans, water motors, and adjusting light intensity to create an optimal environment for plant growth.
Notably, the system is not confined to local control but establishes a cybernetic tether to the external world through a WiFi module. This enables the transmission of real-time data to messaging services such as Telegram and WhatsApp, enhancing responsiveness and providing insights into the greenhouse's dynamic conditions. Additionally, a micro SD card module ensures the archival of historical data, facilitating post hoc analysis and system fine-tuning.