Meteorological and Soil Moisture Monitoring Stations: Supporting Farmland Irrigation Management through Field Data Collection

These monitoring stations integrate the collection of soil moisture, soil temperature, and meteorological data. Featuring a low-power design, they allow for rapid field deployment. Data is transmitted to a cloud platform via 4G connectivity, and the system can trigger SMS alerts when thresholds are exceeded—providing stable, real-time monitoring data for agricultural irrigation and disaster prevention and mitigation.

As a highly integrated, high-precision field observation system, the station consists of five core components: meteorological sensors, a data logger, a solar power supply system, a mounting mast, and a cloud platform. The equipment is pre-configured at the factory, enabling quick setup and immediate operation upon arrival—ideal for unattended field monitoring. The data logger utilizes a low-power architecture with a static power consumption of less than 1mA. Paired with an MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking) solar charging management system, it ensures stable, long-term power supply even in areas with limited sunlight. Standard communication is via 4G, with additional support for Bluetooth and wired transmission. It also features a Modbus-RS485 interface for connecting external sensors, allowing for the expansion of monitored parameters based on specific project requirements. The unit is equipped with a 7-inch Android touchscreen, powered by a quad-core Cortex™-A7 processor with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of storage (running Android 4.4.2), enabling on-site viewing of real-time data and system status.

The station is supported by a 3-meter carbon steel mast, designed with a two-section threaded connection for easy transport and on-site assembly. The protective enclosure is made of stainless steel, offering excellent corrosion and oxidation resistance, with an IP66 waterproof rating that shields the equipment from rain and dust in outdoor environments. The system includes a built-in SMS alarm function; if monitored parameters exceed preset thresholds, an alert is automatically sent to designated mobile phones, allowing managers to stay informed of any anomalies in the field. Data collection, processing, and transmission are handled by a central unit—comprising microcontroller hardware and embedded software—which continuously captures soil moisture, soil temperature, and various meteorological parameters, consolidating all data onto a cloud platform for storage and review. This equipment is suitable for a wide range of applications, including meteorological observation, field-based agriculture, forestry management, and scientific field research. By providing consistent and reliable monitoring data, it enables managers to track changes in soil and water conditions, guides scientific irrigation for crops, assists in the assessment of drought and flood risks, and enhances the precision of regional environmental management.