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Design and Implementation of Solar Powered Automatic Sprinkler Irrigation

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
Available at www.ijsred.com
RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS

Design and Implementation of Solar Powered Automatic Sprinkler

Irrigation System
Isizoh A.N*, Nwankwo P.N**, Onwuzulike D.A***, Chukwuemeka G.F****

*(Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Email: anthonyisizoh@yahoo.com)
** (Department of Computer Engineering; Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria
Email: princetechfoundation@yahoo.com)
***(Department of Computer Engineering; Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, Nigeria
Email: danno4live@yahoo.com)
**** (Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria
Email:chimdichukwuemeka3509@gmail.com)

-------------------------------------************************-------------------------------
Abstract:
In the field of Agriculture, the importance of automatic irrigation control system cannot be
overemphasized. The project presents the design and implementation of “Solar Powered Automatic
Sprinkler Irrigation System” that irrigates a farm by switching a DC water pump based on the set- time
and the time interval programmed into the microcontroller. The designed system replaces the conventional
manual process involved in sprinkler irrigation to automatic process; to conserve energy, time, and water.
The aim of the project is to improve on water management in irrigation process, and minimize the
intervention of human operator in irrigation activities in farms. The system was designed with various
components like; AT89C51 microcontroller, Dc water pump, Relay, LCD and other electronic components.
The whole system was built around the AT89c51 microcontroller. The microcontroller was programmed
using assembly language. When the set time is reached, the microcontroller triggers a 12v relay which
automatically drives the DC water pump for 3 minutes. The irrigation takes place by 7am and 7pm daily to
achieve the desired result. Input is given to the microcontroller in the form of time using the keypad. An
LCD is interfaced with the microcontroller to display the system status. The 12v, 130watts
Monocrystalline solar panel and the 60AH deep cycle (solar) battery attached to the system provides all
the energy requirements of the system. The system has proven to be a reasonable advancement in
irrigation system.

Keywords: Automatic Irrigation System, Microcontroller, Solar Energy, Assembly Language

Programming, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

-------------------------------------************************-------------------------------
assist in the growing of Agricultural crops,
1. INTRODUCTION: maintenance of landscapes, and re-vegetation of
disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of
The continuous increase in food demand inadequate rainfall [1]. Irrigation is the process of
requires a rapid improvement in food production artificial application of water to land to aid crops
technologies. Food insecurity is a major challenge growth. It is mainly used during dry seasons or in
in developing countries. Irrigation has been used to dry areas where rainfall is scarce. An automatic

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
Available at www.ijsred.com
irrigation system presents the most efficient quality, and most importantly conserve water, thus
convenient and cost effective way to irrigate the saving money.
landscape and stimulate lush greenery all around
[2]. Proper designing and maintaining both the C. Objectives of the Project
irrigation system and irrigation valves is important
as more than 60% of wasted water due to poorly The main objective of this project is to keep
designed installed and operated sprinkler systems. measure on food security.
The old method used for irrigation was the use of General objectives;
watering cans, water channels that have to be 1. Recognize the need for water saving in irrigation
opened and closed manually or backpack sprinklers. systems.
In this case, a lot of water is wasted in the process 2. Use microcontroller to switch ON Dc water
[3]. There is need for improvement on the existing pump every 7AM and 7PM for 3 minutes.
or old forms of irrigation. An automated irrigation 3. Reduce the number of workforce in the farm.
system needs to be developed to optimize water use 4. Improve our immediate environment by using
for Agricultural crops. Automatic irrigation is a sustainable energy solution (solar energy).
form of irrigation system that is operated by a
computerized controller. This type of system is
ideal for those who travel frequently and cannot II. METHODOLOGY:
attend to their lawns on a regular basis. It is also
convenient and highly practical for those who have The automatic irrigation system was designed
farms and large landscape areas. As the name to continuously water the soil based on a given
implies; the system is powered by solar energy for time interval (3 minutes) every 7AM and 7PM. The
optimum performance. system responds appropriately by watering the soil
with the required amount of water and then
A. Problem statement switching off the DC water pump automatically by
deactivating the actuator (relay) when the given
Over the last decades, empirical experience has time interval has elapsed.
shown that irrigation increases yield of most crops
by between 100 and 400%. It is expected that, over A. System Block Diagram
the next 20-25 years, 70% of the grain production
will be from irrigated land in the world. The Food The block diagram of the system was first
and Agriculture Organization estimates that achieved, to have a better understanding of the
irrigated land in developing countries will increase overall functionality of the system. Fig. 1 below
by 27%t in the next 20 years, but the amount of shows the block diagram of the system. The solar
water expected to be available for agricultural powered automatic sprinkler irrigation system
production will only increase by a mere 12%. The comprises of different modules interfaced with the
available water resource for irrigation has to be put AT89c51 microcontroller to achieve the desired
to optimal use through appropriate technology. system.

B. Aim of the Project

This project aims at automating irrigation

systems using a micro-controller to improve on
water management. This will minimize the
intervention of human operator in irrigation
activities in farms, increase yields, improve crop

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
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LCD. The LCD is used to display the status of the

system. LCD to microcontroller interface is shown
in fig. 2 below. U1
19 39
XT AL1 P0.0/AD0
38
P0.1/AD1
37
P0.2/AD2
18 36
12V VCC XT AL2 P0.3/AD3
35
P0.4/AD4
34
P0.5/AD5
33
P0.6/AD6
9 32
RST P0.7/AD7

21
P2.0/A8
22
P2.1/A9
23
P2.2/A10
29 24
30
PSEN 89C51 P2.3/A11
25
ALE P2.4/A12
31 26
EA P2.5/A13
27
P2.6/A14
28
P2.7/A15
RV1
1 10
P1.0 P3.0/RXD
2 11
P1.1 P3.1/T XD
3 12
2 X 16 LCD 4
P1.2 P3.2/INT0
13
P1.3 P3.3/INT1
5 14
P1.4 P3.4/T0
6 15
P1.5 P3.5/T1
1k 7 16
P1.6 P3.6/WR
8 17
Fig.1: Block Diagram of the solar powered automatic sprinkler irrigation P1.7 P3.7/RD
E R/W RS
system AT89C51

The system is divided into five units;

• The Display Unit
• The Actuator/ Dc Pump Unit Fig. 2: The Display Unit
C. The Actuator/ Dc Pump Unit
• The key pad unit
• The microcontroller unit The actuator used in this project is the relay. A
• The power supply unit relay is an electrical switch that opens and closes
under control of another electrical circuit. There are
B. The Display Unit
various types of relay but all of them operate in the
same way. When a current flows through the coil,
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen is an
the relay is operated by an electromagnet to open
electronic display module and find a wide range of
or close one or many sets of contacts. Similar to
applications. A 16x2 LCD display is the most
opt-couplers, there is no galvanic connection
common module and is very commonly used in
(electrical contact) between input and output
various devices and circuits. These modules are
circuits. Relays usually demand both higher
preferred over seven segment displays and other
voltage and current to start operation, but there are
multi segment LEDs. The reasons being; LCDs are
also miniature ones which can be activated by a
economical, have no limitation of displaying
low current directly obtained from a
special and even custom characters (unlike in seven
microcontroller pin [5]. Fig. 3 below shows the
segments), animations and so on [4]. A 16x2 LCD
relay in ON, OFF, and the physical structure of the
means it can display 16 characters per line and
relay respectively.
there are 2 such lines. In this LCD each character is
displayed in 5x7 pixel matrix. The LCD has two
registers; Command and Data. The command
register stores the command instructions given to
the LCD. A command is an instruction given to
LCD to do a predefined task like initializing it,
clearing its screen, setting the cursor position,
controlling display etc. The data register stores the
data to be displayed on the LCD. The data is the
ASCII value of the character to be displayed on the

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
Available at www.ijsred.com
Fig. 3: (a) Relay in ON position (b) Relay in OFF position (c) Physical U1
19 39
structure of a Relay XTAL1 P0.0/AD0
38
P0.1/AD1
37
P0.2/AD2
18 36
XTAL2 P0.3/AD3
35
P0.4/AD4
This unit comprises of the biasing resistor R5, P0.5/AD5
P0.6/AD6
34
33

12v relay, Transistor and the DC pump. The 9

RST P0.7/AD7
32

21
P2.0/A8
Resistor R5 limits the current that passes through P2.1/A9
22
23
P2.2/A10
the base of the transistor. When the set time for the 29
30
PSEN
ALE
89C51 P2.3/A11
P2.4/A12
24
25
31 26
irrigation is reached (7AM and 7PM), the EA P2.5/A13
P2.6/A14
27
28 R2 R3 R4
P2.7/A15
microcontroller sends logic 1 (high signal) to p0.0 1
P1.0 P3.0/RXD
10
0R1 0R1 0R1 12V VCC

2 11
and the transistor is forward biased, hence, 3
4
P1.1
P1.2
P3.1/TXD
P3.2/INT0
12
13
P1.3 P3.3/INT1
triggering the relay; which automatically switch 5
6
P1.4
P1.5
P3.4/T0
P3.5/T1
14
15
7 16
ON the DC water pump for the irrigation process. 8
P1.6
P1.7
P3.6/WR
P3.7/RD
17

When the time interval for the irrigation elapses (3- AT 89C51

Fig. 5: The Keypad Unit

minutes), the microcontroller sends logic 0 (low
signal) to p0.0 to deactivate the transistor, causing
the transistor to be reverse biased, thus;
E. The AT89C51 Microcontroller:
deactivating the relay and disconnecting the DC
water pump to stop the irrigation process. The The AT89C51 is a low-power, high-
microcontroller, relay and DC water pump performance CMOS 8-bit microcomputer with 4K
interface are shown in fig. 4 below. bytes of Flash programmable and erasable read
12V VCC
only memory (PEROM). The device is
RL1
QUAZ-SH-112D manufactured using Atmel’s high-density
U1
nonvolatile memory technology and is compatible
19
XTAL1 P0.0/AD0
P0.1/AD1
39
38
with the industry-standard MCS-51 instruction set
37 Q1
18
XTAL2
P0.2/AD2
P0.3/AD3
36
35
R5
2N1711 and pin out. The on-chip Flash allows the program
P0.4/AD4 1k

9
P0.5/AD5
P0.6/AD6
34
33
32
memory to be reprogrammed in-system or by a
RST P0.7/AD7

P2.0/A8
21
conventional nonvolatile memory programmer. By
22

29
P2.1/A9
P2.2/A10
23
24
combining a versatile 8-bit CPU with Flash on a
PSEN 89C51 P2.3/A11
30
31
ALE
EA
P2.4/A12
P2.5/A13
25
26
27
monolithic chip, the Atmel AT89C51 is a powerful
P2.6/A14
P2.7/A15
28
microcomputer which provides a highly-flexible
1 10
2
3
P1.0
P1.1
P1.2
P3.0/RXD
P3.1/TXD
P3.2/INT0
11
12
and cost-effective solution to many embedded
4
5
6
P1.3
P1.4
P3.3/INT1
P3.4/T0
13
14
15
control applications [6]. The CPU of the AT89C52
P1.5 P3.5/T1
7
8
P1.6
P1.7
P3.6/WR
P3.7/RD
16
17
microcontroller comprises of the Arithmetic and
AT89C51 Logic Unit (ALU), the Registers, and the Control
unit. The function of the ALU is to perform all the
Fig.4: The Actuator/ DC Pump Unit
arithmetic and logic expressions from or within the
D. The Keypad Unit CPU. The register part of the CPU is a temporary
memory unit. The Control unit is the most complex
For the keypad, a momentary touched switch part of the CPU. It receives the binary number
was used. The resistors (R2=R3=R4 =1kΩ) are signifying the instruction about to be carried out,
pulled up to positive supply (vcc) to boost the decodes the instruction, and carries it out according
signal at the respective pins of the microcontroller to the steps required [7]. The pin-out configuration
were the switches are connected. The switches are of AT89C51 microcontroller is shown in fig. 6
used to set the time and the time interval for the below.
irrigation. The keypad and the microcontroller
interface is shown in fig. 5 below.

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
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U1
19 39
XTAL1 P0.0/AD0
38
P0.1/AD1
37
P0.2/AD2
18 36
XTAL2 P0.3/AD3
35
P0.4/AD4
34
P0.5/AD5
33
P0.6/AD6
9 32
RST P0.7/AD7
21
P2.0/A8
22
P2.1/A9
23
P2.2/A10
29 24
PSEN P2.3/A11
30 25
ALE P2.4/A12
31 26
EA P2.5/A13
27
P2.6/A14
28
P2.7/A15
1 10
P1.0 P3.0/RXD
2 11
P1.1 P3.1/TXD
3 12
P1.2 P3.2/INT0
4 13 Fig. 7: Solar Power Unit of the System
P1.3 P3.3/INT1
5 14
P1.4 P3.4/T0
6 15
P1.5 P3.5/T1
7 16
P1.6 P3.6/WR
8
P1.7 P3.7/RD
17 G. The Complete Circuit Diagram
AT89C51
The complete circuit diagram of the solar
powered automatic sprinkler irrigation system is
Fig. 6: The AT89C51 Microcontroller shown in fig. 8 below. The AT89c51
F. The Solar Power Unit microcontroller onboard the system is used to store
the entire assembly language program needed for
Light (photons) striking certain compounds, in the system to function appropriately.
12V VCC
particular metals, causes the surface of the material
to emit electrons. Light striking other compounds RL1
QUAZ-SH-112D
C3
causes the material to accept electrons [8]. It is the
U1
combination of these two compounds that can be 30PF
X1 19
XTAL1 P0.0/AD0
39
38
made use of to cause electrons to flow through a C2
CRYSTAL

18
P0.1/AD1
P0.2/AD2
37
36
R5 Q1
XTAL2 P0.3/AD3 2N1711
conductor, and thereby create electricity. This 12V VCC
30PF
P0.4/AD4
P0.5/AD5
35
34
1k

C1
phenomenon is called the photo-electric effect. 9
RST
P0.6/AD6
P0.7/AD7
33
32

Photovoltaic means sunlight converted into a flow 10uF P2.0/A8

21
22
R1 P2.1/A9
of electrons [9]. 10k
29
PSEN 89C51
P2.2/A10
P2.3/A11
23
24
30 25
The Solar charge controller is used to regulate 31
ALE
EA
P2.4/A12
P2.5/A13
26
27
P2.6/A14
the rate at which electric current flows into the RV1 P2.7/A15
28 R2 R3 R4
0R1 0R1 0R1 12V VCC
1 10
battery. It prevents overcharging and protect 2
3
P1.0
P1.1
P3.0/RXD
P3.1/TXD
11
12
2 X 16 LCD P1.2 P3.2/INT0
against over voltage, which can reduce the life span 4
5
P1.3
P1.4
P3.3/INT1
P3.4/T0
13
14

of the battery. 7805v (+5v) regulator is used to 1k

6
7
P1.5
P1.6
P3.5/T1
P3.6/WR
15
16
8 17
regulate the +12v from the battery to +5v suitable E R/W RS
P1.7

AT89C51
P3.7/RD

to power the microcontroller and other electronic 12V VCC

components of the system. The block diagram of

the Solar Power Unit is shown in fig. 7 below. Fig. 8: Circuit Diagram of the Solar Powered Automatic Sprinkler Irrigation
System

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
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Pseudo-code is a detailed yet readable description
H. Working of the System: of what a computer program or algorithm must do,
expressed in a formally-styled natural language
Basically, from our preliminary knowledge in rather than in a programming language. Pseudo-
Agriculture, it is known that irrigation is normally code is sometimes used as a detailed step in the
done in the early hours of the day and in the late process of developing a program. It allows
hours of the night. Hence with this fundamental designers or lead programmers to express the
concept the system was designed such that design in great detail and provides programmers a
irrigation takes place by 7am in the morning and detailed template for the next step of writing code
7pm in the night for optimum performance. When in a specific programming language [10]. Catching
the set time is reached, the microcontroller triggers errors at the pseudo-code stage is less costly than
a 12v relay which automatically drives the DC catching them later in the development process.
water pump for 3-minutes before going off. This The Pseudo-code of the Solar Powered Automatic
process is repeated two times daily (7am and 7pm). Sprinkler Irrigation System is shown below:
Since the solar panel cannot function optimally at
the time chosen, hence a 12v DC battery is The Pseudo-Code of the Designed System:
incorporated in the design to store electric charges.
During the day when the intensity of the sun is Step 1: Start
much, the solar panel charges the battery, which Step 2: Initialize the Ports and Pins of the
can be used at night (7pm) and in the morning Microcontroller
(7am) for the irrigation process. The designed Step 3: Send message 1 “SOLAR IRRIGATION
system replaces the conventional manual work SYSTEM”
involved in sprinkler irrigation to automatic Step 4: Process Message 1
process. Using this system a farmer is protected Step 5: Display Message 1
against adverse inhuman weather conditions. Also Step 6: Send Message 2 “IRRIGATION FARM
the system conserves energy, time, and water. AT 7AM AND 7PM DAILY”
Step 7: Process Message 2
III. SOFTWARE DESIGN Step 8: Display Message 2
Step 9: Send Message 3 “Time”
To be able to control, coordinate, monitor, and Step 10: Process Message 3
manage the whole activities of the system, the Step 11: Display Message 3
microcontroller was used. Assembly language was Step 12: Check if the Required Time is Set?
used to program the microcontroller. The PM-51
• If NO - Set time, Move to Step 13
Macro Assembler was used for this project. The term
PM-51 belongs to an entire family of single-chip
• IF YES – Move to Step 13
microcomputers, all of which have the same Step 13: Increment Time every Second
processor design. They use the same instruction set, Step 14: Is Time 7AM or 7PM?
but differ slightly in Memory mapped special • IF NO - Go back to Step 13
function registers (SFRs) and on-chip ROM and • IF YES – Move to Step 15
RAM. The assembler is a software tool, a program Step 15: Start DC water Pump to Irrigate for 3
designed to simplify the task of writing computer minute, Then Go Back to Step 12
programs. It performs the clerical task of translating Step 16: END
symbolic code into executable object code.

A. Pseudo-code of the System B. Flow Chart of the System

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International Journal of Scientific Research and Engineering Development-– Volume2 Issue 2, Mar –Apr 2019
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A flow chart is a graphical or symbolic
representation of a process. Each step in the
process is represented by a different symbol and STATE
contains a short description of the process step. The
flow chart symbols are linked together with arrows
showing the process flow direction [11].
Initialize Ports & Pins
Common Flowchart Symbols:
Different flow chart symbols have different
meanings. The most common flow chart symbols
are: Send Message 1
• Terminator: An oval flow chart shape
indicating the start or end of the process.
• Process: A rectangular flow chart shape
indicating a normal process flow step. Process Message 1
• Decision: A diamond flow chart shape
indication a branch in the process flow.
• Connector: A small, labelled, circular flow
Display Message 1
chart shape used to indicate a jump in the
process flow.
• Data: A parallelogram that indicates data
input or output (I/O) for a process. Send Message 2
• Document: Used to indicate a document or
report.
The Flow Chart of the Solar Powered
Automatic Sprinkler Irrigation System is shown Process Message 2
in fig. 9 below.

Display Message 2

Send Message 3

Process Message 3

Display Message 3

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can save manpower and water to improve
production and ultimately profit.
B. Recommendations

To improve on the effectiveness and efficiency

of the system the following recommendations can
be put into consideration:
1. SMS/GSM technology can be used such that
whenever the water pump switches ON/OFF
(during and after irrigation) an SMS is sent to the
farm attendant mobile phone.
2. The pump should be controlled via GSM, from
any location within the country.
3. The system can be integrated with temperature
and humidity sensors to monitor the weather
conditions in the farm.

REFERENCES:
[1]. Pavithra D.S, Srinath M.S “GSM based automatic irrigation control
system for efficient use of resources and crop planning by using an Android
mobile” IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering Volume 11,
Issue 4 Ver.1 July-August 2014 p. 49-55.
[2] Archana P, Priya R, “Design and Implementation of Automatic Plant
Watering System”, International Journal of Advanced Engineering and
Global Technology Vol-04, Issue-01, January 2016, ISSN No: 2309-4893.
[3] Abhinav Rajpal, Sumit Jain, Nistha Khare & Anil Kumar Shukla , (2011)
Fig. 9: Complete Flow Chart of the Solar Powered Automatic Sprinkler “Microcontroller-based Automatic Irrigation System with Moisture Sensor”
Irrigation System Proceedings of the International Conference on Science/Engineering .
[4] Nwankwo Nonso Prince, Alumona Theophilus, Nwankwo Vincent,
Nwokeke .O. Albert, (2014), “Design and Implementation of Microcontroller
Based Automatic Fan Speed Regulator (using temperature sensor)”
Proceedings of the International Journal of Engineering Research and
IV. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION Management (IJERM).
[5] Nwankwo, P. N, (2017), 8051/8951 Microcontroller: Instruction formats,
A. Conclusion Assembly Language, and Hardware Interfacing, Awka, Benzero Grapfix, pg
125-126.
[6] Nwankwo, P. N, (2017), “8051/8951 Microcontroller: Instruction formats,
The “Solar Powered Automatic Sprinkler Assembly Language, and Hardware Interfacing”, Awka, Benzero Grapfix, pg
80-83.
Irrigation System” was implemented and found to [7] Isizoh .T, Nzeribe. H.N, Aniedu. A, (2018), “Assembly Language
be feasible and cost effective. It is advantageous Programming: For Embedded Systems and Real – Time Applications”, Awka,
SCOA Heritage Nig. Ltd, pg 27-28.
over manual control as it uses time-based control [8] Merteno R., "Hybrid Thermal Photovoltaic Systems”, (2012),
mechanism. The system was carried out Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conversion Conference (C21), Royal Society, pp.
60-62.
considering some factors which includes; [9] Dixon A.E., Leslie J.D, (2006) “Solar Energy Conversion”, Pergamon
availability of components, economic applications, Press New York, pp. 35-37.
[10] https://www.whatis.techtarget.com/definition/ pseudocode.
controllability, durability, and free energy from the [11] https://www.breezetree.com/articles/what-is-a-flow-chart.
Sun. The system after completion; was tested and it
met the expected design specification and
performance. The project presents a model to
modernize the agriculture industries at a mass scale
with optimum expenditure. Using this system, one

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