Multiple channels, low-cost, and dual data storage data logger for building a soil temperature network

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Environmental Monitoring
• Sensor Networks

Background:

• Accurate temperature measurement is vital for crop health and yield.
• Commercial data loggers are expensive with limited customization for soil monitoring.
• Extensive data collection requires numerous sensors, increasing costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost, open-source network of customizable data loggers.
• To enable local and remote temperature data storage for agricultural research.
• To overcome limitations of commercial data loggers in soil temperature monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Arduino, temperature sensors, Real Time Clock, and LoRa modules for hardware.
• Developed a network transmitting data to a LILYGO TTGO board and MongoDB.
• Created a digital tool for retrieving and visualizing historical temperature data.

Main Results:

• The developed system costs approximately US$ 72, 18% of commercial options.
• Achieved a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 1.6°C, demonstrating reliability.
• The system allows integration of multiple sensors, surpassing commercial limitations.

Conclusions:

• The open-source data logger network provides a cost-effective and reliable solution for agricultural temperature monitoring.
• The integrated digital tool enhances data accessibility and visualization.
• This approach significantly reduces barriers to comprehensive soil temperature data collection.