ISHS Acta Horticulturae 578: International Symposium on Design and Environmental Control of Tropical and Subtropical Greenhouses
DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTELLIGENT CONTROLLER FOR GREENHOUSE MANAGEMENT |
| Authors: | A.K. Dogra, P. Chandra |
| Keywords: | micro-controller, controlled environment, greenhouse automation, sensors, greenhouse management, intelligent controller |
| DOI: | 10.17660/ActaHortic.2002.578.48 |
| Abstract:
Crop production in greenhouse environment has the advantage of obtaining reliable and continuous output through out the year. Each greenhouse has distinct characteristics. Data on these attributes need to be collected at regular intervals. Depending upon the type of crop, these attributes need to be controlled within the specified limits to achieve the maximum efficiency and yields. Use of micro controllers through their precision and versatility allows focusing more on plants and profits. An attempt has been made to develop a controller along with sensors for monitoring temperature, humidity and light intensity to control environment parameters in a greenhouse. Sensors have been specially designed using silicon diodes connected across a bridge measuring mho changes as per change in resistance of silicon diode per unit change in input signal. The controller has the capacity of recording these parameters at any defined scan rate and controlling the various devices e.g. fan, cooling pad pump, humidifiers, lights, etc. The controller has the intelligence to readjust the daily set points of these parameters based on data recorded on the previous day. A self activating software for the system has been developed integrating the decision making truth tables and the control parameters with their set limits. The controller is based on Intel 386 board with AD/DA 16 channel I/O. Each channel has an accuracy of 0.015% of reading ±1 BIT. As a safety measure all output channels are connected to the triggering devices through OPTO couplers. The micro controller has been installed in an experimental 500 m2 greenhouse for monitoring its performance. | |
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