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05 / 01 / 2015
PROJECT
PROPOSAL
The engineering
design process is
the formulation
of a plan to help
an engineer build
a product with
a specified
performance goal.
MANI MINA
Senior Design Instructor
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
7CLIENTS
8
TEAM MEMBERS
10BACKGROUND
12REQUIREMENTS
13
PROBLEM STATEMENT
14
MARKET SURVEY
16
OUR SOLUTION
18SPECIFICATIONS
20
COUNTER ARGUMENTS
22
PROJECT TIMELINE
23
DETAILED COSTS
25APPENDIX
12 August 2014
Diego Ortiz
1515 Agronomy Hall
Ames, Iowa 50014
515.294.9721
Dear Diego,
Enclosed is a project proposal for a new plant monitoring system for the Department of Agronomy.
This proposal details the work to be completed by Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECpE)
Senior Design group DEC15-14 during the spring semester of 2015. The new plant monitoring
system will provide researchers with the necessary tools to precisely monitor and control
environmental conditions in the development of genetically modified sorghum.
We would like to thank you in advance for your consideration of this proposal. We are confident that
this document will showcase the best of what this new plant monitoring system has to offer. Please
feel free to contact us for further information.
Sincerely,
Michael Mead
Senior Design Group DEC15-14
dec1514@iastate.edu
Individually Representing
Jacob Moyer
Matt Clucas
Brian Bahr
Andrew Hutchinson
ABSTRACT
The Iowa State University Department of Agronomy is conducting research on the
effects of changing the genome of sorghum plant for use in biofuel production.
To gauge the effectiveness of genome alterations, growth factor data, including
plant stress and water usage, are needed for each individual plant in the
experiment. Currently, the plant monitoring system does not meet the researchers
requirements. It only provides record of soil moisture. Additionally, the data
collection is a manual process. To remedy this issue, Senior Design Group DEC1514 is proposing a customized system comprised of forty eight sensors that record
soil moisture, leaf temperature, and water usage. The system as a whole will
aim for a budget of $20.00 per sensor, much lower than the $110.00 per sensor
of the currently used system. Data will be remotely accessible via a web-based
user interface. The proposed plant monitoring system will cost the Department
of Agronomy less money, while increasing time efficiency and expanding the
magnitude of data collected.
CLIENTS
The system resulting from this project will be used for Diegos research. Dr. Dong is overseeing the
project as the advising faculty member for electrical and computer engineering senior design course.
DIEGO ORTIZ
XINRAN WANG
End User
Project Advisor
Advising TA
Diego is a researcher
for the Department of
Agronomy studying under
Dr. Maria Salas Fernandez.
Her research program is
devoted to develop superior
sorghum lines to be used as
lignocellulosic feedstock for
biofuel production.
(http://faculty.agron.iastate.edu/
mgsalas/)
Clients
PROJECT TEAM
The senior design team consists of five undergraduate seniors, three computer engineering and two
electrical engineering majors. In addition to project responsibilities completed as a group, individual
responsibilities are listed here.
JACOB MOYER
BRIAN BAHR
MATT CLUCAS
Group Leader
Communications Leader
Webmaster
Internship Experience:
Amazon.com
Responsable for creating the
web server application and
programming the Ardunio
micro controller
Computer Engineering Major
Internship Experience:
Pioneer, Rockwell Collins
Responsible for creating the
web server application and
programming the Arduino
micro controller
Computer Engineering Major
Project Team
ANDREW HUTCHINSON
MICHAEL MEAD
Internship Experience:
Lennox, Elemech Inc.
Internship Experience:
Garmin, 3M
Project Team
10
BACKGROUND
ETHANOL PRODUCTION
YEAR
STARCH ETHANOL
2014
14.30
2013
13.29
2012
13.22
2011
13.93
2010
13.30
2009
10.94
2008
9.31
2007
6.52
2006
4.88
(BILLION GALLONS)
HISTORY OF ETHANOL
Ethanol is a major contributor to the energy security of the United States, a major source of
economic growth in Iowa, and a major reductant of greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to
climate change. The figure above, provided by the Renewable Fuels Association, shows the volume
of ethanol produced from corn has remained stagnant since 2010. Starch ethanol can not meet
the total biofuel demand and also causes increased food prices. Therefore, the development of
alternative biofuel sources, such as cellulose-based crops, is crucial for the efficient production of
ethanol continuing in the future. Recognizing the importance of biofuels, the Congress passed the
Energy Independence and Security Act in 2007. By requiring 22 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol be
produced by 2022, biofuel research is further incentivised.
AREA OF RESEARCH
Carbon assimilation through photosynthesis is the basis of crop productivity. Considering there
is a direct association between photosynthetic efficiency and biomass yield, the discovery and
exploitation of the genetic architecture controlling carbon assimilation could have a significant
impact on biomass yield for biofuel production.
Background
11
REQUIREMENTS
The Department of Agronomy is requesting a plant monitoring an control system. Boiled down, the
new system needs to monitor and control multiple environmental factors, provide a user interface
for remote data analysis, and have the potential of large scale expansion. The system must maintain
the exact moisture content specified by the user so that the plant experiments are accurate. Sensors
must measure the soil moisture content and update the server with the measured data. The data
must be updated for viewing at least once every two hours. Data must remain on the device for
the duration of the experiment while available to copy of the device incrementally and may also be
downloadable from the server via the internet. The system must be detachable from each pot so the
plants can be moved.
FUNCTIONAL
What should the new system do?
`` Record: The system must record leaf temperature, soil moisture level, and water delivered.
`` View: System includes a graphical user interface for displaying collected data. The client must be
able to view data from each plant automatically collected into a single .csv file.
`` Control: The client must be able to specify a regulated soil moisture level for each plant. The
system must maintain a specified soil moisture level for each plant.
NONFUNCTIONAL
How should the new system do so?
`` Expandability: The system must have the ability to monitor up to 48 plants simultaneously.
`` Reliability:The system must take regular measurements for the duration of the experiment.
`` Accuracy: The moisture sensors must measure the soil moisture content entire pot, and the
temperature sensor must record the temperature of the top leaf of the plant.
`` Affordable: Total system cost must be less than $1000.
Requirements
13
PROBLEM STATEMENT
CURRENT SYSTEM
Decagon Devices Em50 Data Logger and EC-5 Moisture Sensor
The current system as a whole can only record data from five plants, as shown by the five-port box
in the figure. Gathering data logs from the sensor interface box requires the researcher to plug
a serial to USB cable into the devices comm port. The data remains only on the laptop on which
it was downloaded, and a flash drive must be used to transport the data to any other computer
the researchers wish to use for analysis. This data collection must be done daily and requires that
the researcher travel to the greenhouse. The new system should allow researchers to access data
without leaving their office. Another major flaw is the dated software interface which is designed for
Windows XP. If the researchers update their laptops, the program may become incompatible.
Problem Statement
14
MARKET SURVEY
At a Glance
Sensors
Light, temperature, soil
moisture, fertilizer level
Software
Application for smartphones
and tablets using iOS and
Android
Data Transmission
Bluetooth Smart
Power
AAA Batteries
Cost
$59
Market Survey
15
COST COMPARISON
EXPANDING CURRENT SYSTEM
$9,234.00
$2,832.00
Neither expanding the current system of soil moisture sensors or switching to Flower Power devices
meet the requirements of the Department of Agronomy for a new plant monitoring and control
system. Both options highly exceed the budget and do not include major requested features.
Cost Comparison
16
OUR SOLUTION
The Senior Design Group DEC15-14 is proposing to create a remote plant monitoring and
control system with accompanying user interface. The system will provide concurrent,
real-time logging of leaf temperature, soil moisture content and water delivery for forty
eight plants.
KEY FEATURES
`` Measures water delivery, soil moisture content, and leaf temperature
`` Maintains desired soil moisture content level via automatic watering
`` Collected data will be displayed using a website interface with downloadable logs and analysis tools.
`` Total system cost is less than $1000 (unit cost of $20.00 per plant).
One feature that commercial plant sensors cannot offer is the automatic watering of a plant when
low moisture is detected. Since the client is using these sensors for research on modified plant
conditions, not all plants will require the same amount of water. Controlling soil moisture introduces
further costs to each sensor with the addition of a solenoid water valve and plumbing to each plant.
The solenoid valve will control the amount of water given to each plant.
Each sensor is connected to an micro controller, and each micro controller wirelessly transmits
data logs to an off-site web server, accessible by any authorized user. The user interface on the web
server will display all forty eight plants in a table, allowing the user to label each plant with a name
of their choosing. Depending on which plant is currently selected, graphs outlining water usage,
soil moisture, and leaf temperature will be shown above the table. In addition, the user may set the
soil moisture content to be maintained by the automatic watering process for an individual plant.
The interface allows plants to be searched and sorted in ascending and descending by all of the
previously stated parameters.
Our Solution
17
HARDWARE DIAGRAM
Type-K Thermocouple
Attached to top leaf of plant to
measure temperature
Solenoid Value
Opens by applying 12V across
the contacts to water plants
Resistive Soil Probe
Buried near the roots of the
plant to measure soil moisture
Micro controllers and Sensor
Interface PCB
Attached to the side of the
plant pot to process and
transmit data
Our Solution
18
SPECIFICATIONS
SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Web Browser
Specifications
19
Specifications
20
MOISTURE SENSOR
One notable compromise by the development team is the use of a different model moisture
sensor than the model desired by the clients. Due to cost limitations placed on the project, is was
necessary to select a less expensive sensor while introducing a potential reduction in measurement
accuracy. The development team feels this sensors model is appropriate for this project based on
individual unit cost. If the clients still desire their preferred sensors, then they can compromise on
the remaining components and features to dedicate more of the budget to the moisture sensors
themselves or they can consider increasing the development budget to account for the pricier
model.
Counter Arguments
21
MAINTENANCE
System maintenance is another point of contention. As the development team consists of
students in their final or near-final year of school who are working together in a temporary
project group, it raises the question of how the system will be maintained in the future. Within
a few months, the development team will be unavailable to correct any issues in the device or
interface. In addition, the students may not be fully familiar with the process of creating the
proposed device and other similar devices. Clients may rest assured, as the development team
recognizes the significance of this project with regard to ongoing and future research. The
sensors will be developed in the most professional way possible, allowing outside parties to
maintain the device in the future.
DURABILITY
Finally, system longevity is a major concern. In terms of physical longevity, the greenhouse used
for sorghum research is a haven for environmental factors that may affect sensor performance
and condition, including water, soil, and concentrated high temperatures. Naturally, the
development team will place the device in a protective container, but even components properly
protected against such threats will experience degradation in the research environment. In
terms of system design, the components used may be outdated within a few years. For
example, the current Decagon system relies on technology and design practices were outdated
years ago. While the development team cannot guarantee the longevity of the technology
used in the system, it should be noted that the low price point makes replacement a viable
option. The natural inclination is use expensive technology for a longer period of time than
comparable cheaper options, meaning the proposed sensors allow for earlier replacement than
technologically comparable commercial models. Overall, the development team intends to
create a system that will possess a respectable use life.
Counter Arguments
22
DETAILED COSTS
Unit Cost: $24.95 per plant
Higher system cost is attributed to the thermocouple specifically required by the client. Without the
thermocouple, the cost per unit would have been $8.95, which is within the Departments budget.
DELIVERABLE
Sensors
Resistive Soil Probe
48
$0.95
$45.60
Type K Thermocouple
48
$16.00
$768.00
48
$3.00
$144.00
48
$2.50
$120.00
48
$2.50
$120.00
SUBTOTAL
$1,076.60
SALES TAX
7.00%
TOTAL
$1,153.03
Logic
Devices
Solenoid Valve
Detailed Costs
23
COST COMPARISON
PROPOSED SYSTEM
FLOWER POWER
$1076
$2832
$9234
Expandable to 48 plants
Expandable to 48 plants
Expandable to 48 plants
Measures leaf
temperature
Automated water
delivery
NO Automated water
delivery
NO Automated water
delivery
Detailed Costs
24
H. R. 631
in accordance with subparagraph (B) and, in the case of any
such renewable fuel produced from new facilities that commence
construction after the date of enactment of this sentence,
achieves at least a 20 percent reduction in lifecycle greenhouse
gas emissions compared to baseline lifecycle greenhouse gas
emissions..
(2) APPLICABLE VOLUMES OF RENEWABLE FUEL.Subpara
graph (B) is amended to read as follows:
(B) APPLICABLE VOLUMES.
(i) CALENDAR YEARS AFTER 2005.
(I) RENEWABLE FUEL.For the purpose of
subparagraph (A), the applicable volume of renew
able fuel for the calendar years 2006 through 2022
shall be determined in accordance with the fol
lowing table:
Applicable
volume of
renewable
fuel
Calendar year:
(in billions of
gallons):
2006 ..............................................................................
4.0
2007 ..............................................................................
4.7
2008 ..............................................................................
9.0
2009 ..............................................................................
11.1
2010 .............................................................................. 12.95
2011 .............................................................................. 13.95
2012 ..............................................................................
15.2
2013 .............................................................................. 16.55
2014 .............................................................................. 18.15
2015 ..............................................................................
20.5
2016 .............................................................................. 22.25
2017 ..............................................................................
24.0
2018 ..............................................................................
26.0
2019 ..............................................................................
28.0
2020 ..............................................................................
30.0
2021 ..............................................................................
33.0
2022 ..............................................................................
36.0
2010 ..............................................................................
0.95
2011 ..............................................................................
1.35
2012 ..............................................................................
2.0
2013 ..............................................................................
2.75
2014 ..............................................................................
3.75
2015 ..............................................................................
5.5
2016 ..............................................................................
7.25
2017 ..............................................................................
9.0
2018 ..............................................................................
11.0
2019 ..............................................................................
13.0
2020 ..............................................................................
15.0
2021 ..............................................................................
18.0
2022 ..............................................................................
21.0
H. R. 632
(III) CELLULOSIC BIOFUEL.For the purpose
of subparagraph (A), of the volume of advanced
biofuel required under subclause (II), the
applicable volume of cellulosic biofuel for the cal
endar years 2010 through 2022 shall be deter
mined in accordance with the following table:
Applicable
volume of
cellulosic
biofuel
Calendar year:
(in billions of
gallons):
2010 ..............................................................................
0.1
2011 ..............................................................................
0.25
2012 ..............................................................................
0.5
2013 ..............................................................................
1.0
2014 ..............................................................................
1.75
2015 ..............................................................................
3.0
2016 ..............................................................................
4.25
2017 ..............................................................................
5.5
2018 ..............................................................................
7.0
2019 ..............................................................................
8.5
2020 ..............................................................................
10.5
2021 ..............................................................................
13.5
2022 ..............................................................................
16.0
2010 ..............................................................................
0.65
2011 ..............................................................................
0.80
2012 ..............................................................................
1.0
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