2020 IEEE International Women in Engineering (WIE) Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (WIECON-ECE)

2020 IEEE International Women in Engineering (WIE) Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering (WIECON-ECE) | 978-1-6654-1917-8/20/$31.00 ©2020 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/WIECON-ECE52138.2020.9397991

Microcontroller Based Intelligent Greenhouse

Environment Monitoring and Controlling System
Rounak Jahan Md. Mominul Islam
Nagib Mahfuz
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
(EEE) (EEE)
(EEE)
American International University- American International University-
American International University-
Bangladesh (AIUB) Bangladesh (AIUB)
Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
rounakjahan56@gmail.com mominulmizan@gmail.com
mahfuz_aiub@yahoo.com
Shawan Karmokar
Mehen Nigar
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Electrical & Electronic Engineering
(EEE)
(EEE)
American International University-
American International University-
Bangladesh (AIUB)
Bangladesh (AIUB)
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Dhaka, Bangladesh
jotyirmay@yahoo.com
mehen_nigar@yahoo.com

Abstract—Greenhouse farming is the unique farm practice
of growing crops within a controlled environment. Weather
and climate condition controlling is the prime concept of
greenhouse farming. This research aims to develop an
intelligent system for monitoring and controlling greenhouse
parameters. This smart system monitors greenhouse farming's
critical parameters, such as temperature, humidity, light, soil
moisture, and methane gas. Necessary sensors are integrated to
monitor these parameters. The system will send a notifying
SMS to the user if the sensor value is in an unacceptable range.
An android app is developed for setting the threshold value for
different parameters. Besides autonomous operation, the
system also allows SMS command from the user. An LCD is
used to display the real-time sensors value onsite. A user will
be able to control multiple greenhouses from a remote
distance. The system has an optional data logger system for
statistical data and further scientific research. This system will
play a vital role in greenhouse farming.
Keywords— Greenhouse, Microcontroller, Sensor, GSM,
Android app, Embedded system.
I. INTRODUCTION
Greenhouse farming technology ensures plant growth and
good quality corps. There is no alternate for greenhouse
farming in unfavorable weather conditions. A smart
weather-controlling system can make the greenhouse
farming system more profitable.
The objective of this paper is to provide a simplified
greenhouse monitoring and controlling system. The
microcontroller measures the weather conditions through
sensors. The sensor's value displays an onsite display and is
stored in a micro sd card. If any sensor value is out of range,
the microcontroller takes the necessary actions until the
sensor value is in the critical value range. The system also
notifies the user about these changes and activities by
sending SMS. The user also can inquire about sensor value
and execute any operation by sending an SMS command to
the system. A smartphone app is a bridge between the user
and the proposed design for setting up the critical value
range. The smartphone app communicates with the system
using the Bluetooth communication protocol. It's a secure
and efficient technology for use in a short span.
II. RELATED RESEARCH WORK
Many researchers doing works to make the greenhouse
farming system more autonomous and introduced so many
technologies. Meghal et al. [1] designed an IoT-based
greenhouse monitoring device using a native
microcontroller and esp8266 wifi module. Sandip et al. [2]
developed a light intensity monitoring system and data
storing in a cloud database. Akshay et al. [3] developed
precision Greenhouse management in the LabVIEW
platform. PIC microcontroller sends the sensor data to pc
through ZigBee technology. Nilimamayee et al. [4] present
data acquisition, data logging, and supervisory control of
different greenhouse application parameters. Wei et al. [5]
used android mobile as a greenhouse monitoring terminal.
Sheetal et al. [6] approach a greenhouse using cloud
computing to cover an extensive area sensor network.
These researches are focused on monitoring greenhouse
parameters using different techniques such as ZigBee, IoT
without having an effective controlling method. This
research approaches a simple operational process at minimal
maintenance cost. Zigbee works in the short-range only, and
cloud computing needs internet access all time. GSM
technology is comparatively less expensive, and the GSM
network covers all the countryside. Moreover, the system
has a user-friendly smartphone app for setting the threshold
value and onboard data logging facility.
III. THE SYSTEM OF THE ARCHITECTURE
The proposed approach has significantly simplified a
microcontroller-based embedded system. The main purpose
of the proposed system is to maintain a standard weather
condition. Arduino Pro Mini is used here as a

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microcontroller. The microcontroller executes the necessary
commands based on sensor values. Soil moisture sensor,
temperature, and humidity sensor DHT11, LDR, and
Methane gas sensor MQ4 are used for monitoring the inside
atmosphere of the greenhouse. The sensor's value is stored
in a micro SD card. Onsite LCD is displaying the sensor
value, threshold value, and status of the proposed system.
GSM and Bluetooth are integrated with the system for the
communication purpose. For controlling the greenhouse
weather parameters, few electromechanical components are
used. The microcontroller triggers these components
through relay switches. Figure 1 describes the block
diagram of the proposed system.
Fig. 1. Block diagram of greenhouse monitoring and controlling system.
A. Sensors
A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is used here to detect the
level of light. A massive change of resistance in LDR
happens for a small variance of light. It's a perfect electronic
device for measuring the light level of the greenhouse at a
low cost. The microcontroller measures the voltage drop
across the LDR to measure the light level of the greenhouse.
Multiple soil moisture sensors are used for measuring the
soil moisture at a different location. The two large exposed
pads function as probes for the sensor, together acting as a
variable resistor. The more water in the soil means, the
better the conductivity between the places and lower
resistance. DHT11 is a widely used temperature and
humidity sensor. It operates at 5V. It measures 0-50°C
temperature readings with ±2°C accuracy and 20-80%
humidity readings with 5% accuracy[7]. Analog type gas
sensor MQ4 is used for detecting the methane presence. The
concentration sensing range of this sensor is 300 ppm to
10,000 ppm [8].
B. Arduino Pro Mini
Arduino Pro mini is a tiny development board of the
Atmega328p microcontroller. For this project, Arduino Pro
Mini is a better option than any other Arduino development
board. It has sufficient i/o pins and low power consumption.
All sensors value is fed into Arduino pro mini. The Arduino
takes necessary actions based upon the sensor's value. If the
sensor's value is in the acceptable range, it just keeps
monitoring the weather condition unless it gets any SMS
command from the user. Arduino takes the necessary
decision for logical operations by comparing the sensor's
value and critical value set by the user. LCD, GSM,
Bluetooth is also connected with the Arduino pro mini.
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C. Liquid Crystal Display
A 16*2 Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is connected with the
Arduino pro mini for displaying the real-time sensor's value
onsite. The critical value and the determined weather status
are also shown in the LCD. So, a farmer can easily
understand the greenhouse weather condition from LCD.
D. GSM Modem
GSM modem is similar to a mobile phone. It accepts a SIM
card and operates over a subscription to a mobile operator.
A sim 900 GSM modem is connected with the Arduino pro
mini. Arduino, send notification SMS to the user if any
sensor value is out of range or a new threshold value is set
through the android app. It allows the system to receive
SMS commands from the user. Users can enquire about the
sensor's value or pull on or off any electromechanical
components through SMS.
E. Bluetooth
An HC-05 Bluetooth is used for building communication
between the system and smartphone app. It's an effective
communication method in a short-range of free at cost. It
follows the IEEE 802.15.1 standardized protocol. HC-05 is
connected with the Arduino through serial communication.
F. Micro SD Card
A micro SD card is connected with the Arduino pro mini
through an adaptation board. All the sensor's values are
stored as an excel file inside the micro sd card. This data
logging method will help a farmer assume future weather
conditions and make the best statistical data strategy.
Arduino can access all sensor values from the micro SD
card. However, it's an optional feature for this system. If the
farmer wanted to make statistical analysis for developing a
prediction algorithm, these data would be an asset. If the
farmer doesn't insert a card inside the adaptation board, no
hamper will occur in monitoring and controlling operation.
The system can run entirely with and without a micro SD
card.
G. Servo
The moisture level of soil varies in different places. All
places don't need a water supply at a time. A servo motor is
used for shifting the water supply pipe at a different
location. Angular rotation of servo allows making a
precision move of water supply.
H. Relay
Relay is a switch that can be controlled by a low power
signal. Magnate latching relay needs a single pulse on the
coil to move their conductors in one direction and a
redirected pulse to drive the conductors back. Repeated
pulse signals had no impact on triggering. Arduino pro mini
pulls on or off different electromechanical components by
using a relay. Arduino can't handle high voltage or current.
So the digital switch is required, and relay switches are
preferable for on or off an electromechanical device.
Semiconductor switching devices are faster than a relay, but
they can produce heat if the load is heavy. But the relay
switched doesn't make any heat. A flyback diode is used to
avoid relay noise.
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I. Controlling System
For acquiring standard weather conditions inside the
greenhouse, an electric fan, heating coil, water pump, and
bulbs are used. A fan can be used for cooling purposes or
exhaust the air of the greenhouse when the volume of
Methane gas is high. Electric Induction coils are used for
raising the temperature. The water pump ensures the water
supply inside the greenhouse. All of the electromechanical
components turn on or off on specific conditions. However,
these components are electrically controlled, so it has a
smooth and precise operation. Controlling operation
maintains the standard weather condition inside the
greenhouse. Controlling operation is activated when the
weather condition is not balanced unless it sleeps on standby
mode.
Fig. 2. Flowchart of intelligent greenhouse environment monitoring and
controlling system
J. Power Supply
The microcontroller and all sensors need to operate at DC
5V and relay triggers by DC 12V. Electromechanical
components are functional at direct ac supply. The 220V AC
power stepped down through a 12-0-12V center-tapped
transformer, and again this low voltage AC passes through a
full bridge rectifier and turns into 12V dc. A buck converter
makes 5V dc from the 12V dc. Buck converter is a dc to dc
step down converter where it reduces the output voltage and
increases the current. Required diode and fuses are used to
protect from reverse and overflow of current.
Fig. 3. Block diagram of the system power supply.
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K. Smartphone App
A customized android app is developed for setting the
critical value for different parameters. Different crops
demand other weather conditions. The farmer can set the
customized parameter value through this app. The app sends
data to the system through Bluetooth communication. The
smartphone needs to connect the smartphone with the
password-protected system Bluetooth module.
Fig. 4. Smartphone App for setting threshold value.
IV. SIMULATION RESULT ANALYSIS
Before hardware implementation, the system is simulated on
the Proteus ISIS simulation software to check the proposed
system's possibility. Proteus simulation software is an
advanced tool to demonstrate the embedded system idea
before implementation. However, all the sensor library is
not available on a proteus simulation software potentiometer
is used instead of sensors. The potentiometer provides
analog value to Arduino. By varying potentiometer,
different logical operations are tested. For various
controlling mechanism, Arduino triggers the relay and
operate symbolic AC load.
Fig. 5. System simulation on the Proteus simulation tool.
In this simulation virtual terminal indicates the SMS alert.
User input is not possible in this simulation tool, so the user-
defined value is set initially inside the program.
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 V. HARDWARE IMPLEMENTATION AND RESULT ANALYSIS
After a successful simulation procedure, the hardware
prototype is developed. Hardware development is different
from software simulation. After lots of hardware testing, the
final system is developed. The complete hardware setup
picture is given in Figure 6, and Table 1 describes the output
results. The hardware setup works properly, and similar
functions, as well as simulation results.
Fig. 6. Implemented intelligent greenhouse monitoring and controlling
system.
TABLE I. OUTPUT RESULT'S FROM HARDWARE
 Automatic operation without human interference.
 Smartphone user interface.
 SMS notification.
 Onboard data logger.
 Manual operation besides autonomous operation.
 SMS command.
 Onsite Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).
VII. CONCLUSION
This paper describes a simplified, intelligent monitoring and
controlling system for greenhouse farming. The system is
advanced with real-time tracking of essential greenhouse
parameters with sensors array and automatic operation. A
user-friendly smartphone app for setting critical value for
different parameters make this system unique. The
autonomous operation and manual control mode make the
entire process of the proposed system smooth. This
intelligent system has all the desired features for making the
operational cost lower of greenhouse farming. Users can
develop a prediction algorithm from the onboard data
logger. SMS controlling and feedback system makes the
farmer more comfortable. Hence it can operate in an
automatic process unless the system is interrupted by SMS
command. So the user doesn't need to involve in continuous
monitoring of operations. If any hazard is happening, the
user will get a notifying SMS. It's a complete solution for a
farmer to cultivate crops in the greenhouse method. It needs
some future development for extensive integration. A web
monitoring system can be developed if this smart system is
implemented on a large scale. But for the individual farming
purpose, this system is good enough.

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 Real-time weather monitoring system.

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