ASP.NET-based Design and Implementation of Remote Monitoring and Control System for Litchi Orchard Irrigation

For remote monitoring and intelligent managing the irrigation at litchi orchards, a computerized system based on ASP.NET technology was designed and tested for implementation. The systemconsisted of sensing terminals, computer gateway, and networking. The sensing devices collected data on ambient temperature and humidity, moisture content in soil, and other relevant information at the orchard, transmitted them through the gateway using Zigbee wireless communication technology, and reached the network via Internet for data analysis and work order execution. On a B/S mode, the ASP.NET-basedsystem displayed real time measurements and made decision for a controlled irrigation at the orchard. Being user-friendly, the control system could be easily mastered with training. All information on the soil, environment, residual energy at every node, as well as litchi cultivation was instantaneously available on the computer. Test runs on the system showed an average packet loss rate at merely 3.87% with accurate and effective communication. Whenever a monitoring datum was out of its control range, a warning signal would be sent. The intelligent irrigation management by this system allowed the average moisture in the soil at the orchard maintain at 17.85%, which was slightly above the minimumrequired for a proper plant growth. Thus, this newly established system appeared to be reliable, stable, user-friendly, water-conserving, and easy to operatewith its remote, real-time monitoring, precise control, and intelligent decision-making functions for the orchard irrigation.