Farming in the Climate Change Era

Web
Python
Arduino
PCB
Hardware
Networking
Spring 2025

The Farming in the Climate Change Era system automates real-time monitoring of irrigation canals for the Quechan Tribe, combining water-velocity(via DN-80 3" water flow sensor with ±10 % accuracy) , depth (via an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor with ±10 % accuracy), and channel-area measurements to compute instantaneous and cumulative water usage. Built around an Arduino MKR NB 1500 with a Soracom 4G SIM, it streams sensor data via HTTP POST so wardens receive alerts whenever flow or depth exceed configurable thresholds. The system is solar-powered, self-contained, and ruggedized for field deployment. Key technologies include a Hall-effect blade-type velocity sensor calibrated in OSU’s flume lab; the HC-SR04 ultrasonic depth sensor noted above; a custom power PCB containing a 4.4V solar panel in parallel with a single cell Li-ion battery whose output is raised to 5V through a step up boost converter; and a Python/Flask web server for data visualization and export. Notable accomplishments this term include a fully calibrated velocity sensor achieving ±10 % accuracy at up to 2 ft/s flow; reliable 4G data transmission over 24 hours of continuous field testing; and a modular PCB design. Main challenges and future work include extending battery storage, exploring pressure-based depth sensing for improved tilt immunity, and adding a mobile app front-end for wardens.

1 Lifts 

Artifacts

Name Description
Project Poster Project Poster for 2025-Sp Expo   Download
Project Document Project Document containing information relating to the entire system such as individual blocks along with the design process.   Download
Executive Summary Summary of the project going over its intended use, this years goals, and future goals.   Download
Project Video Summary Presentation Video of the Project   Link
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