Precision Viticulture Using a Wireless Sensor Network

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) represent nowadays one of the most exciting technologies and can be successfully used for agricultural purposes. Data acquisition of environmental parameters by processing satellite images in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and image analysis software is a time consuming process. The use of WSN currently promises to shorten time to acceptable margins. This paper shows the results of a research project carried out in a vineyard of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, where an experimental WSN was set up, consisting of 12 nodes with up to four different sensors measuring ambient temperature and humidity, soil moisture (water content and potential), soil temperature and solar radiation. Data transmission followed the wireless ZigBee standard, due to its low power need and simple networking configuration. The nodes can communicate with a gateway unit, which can transmit the information to other computers via LAN, WLAN or Internet. The results achieved in this project could help farmers to use this technology in modern grapevine growing. One key milestone was the development of a computer-based information system adapted to the grapevine grower requirements enabling easy data analysis. A better choice of grapes, leading to better wines, is the first step that wine-producers should consider.