Android-Based Hydroponics System Using Local and Remote Monitoring and Correction of Water pH Scale

Abstract

Agriculture in the Philippines and other parts of the world has been historically beset with many challenges such as agriculture land conversion that resulted to scarce agriculture area, weather, pests, and disease, as well as fluctuating markets and need for capital investments. The pressure for growth leads to the significant conversion of farmland to non-farm use. The study was aimed to develop and implement an Android-Based Hydroponics System with pH Scale Correction. The system is composed of a microcontroller, LCD Shield with keypad, 3 pH sensor, 3 pairs of peristaltic motor and an IP-based camera. The microcontroller is an Arduino Yun based on the ATmega32u4 and Atheros AR9331 for its wi-fi connectivity. The LCD shield provides the user interface for local monitoring and control using the I2C pins. The pH sensor is used to measure the water quality for optimal nutrient absorption of the specie. The peristaltic motor serves as a peristaltic liquid pump that presses on the tube to pass the fluid though. The IP-based camera provides a real-time transmission of quality video images for surveillance. The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is installed on a mobile phone for remote monitoring and remote control purposes. Test conducted on the system showed that it has achieved above 95% reliability. The prototype accurately measured, precisely controlled and successfully monitors the amount of pH scale concentration.