Chapter 34

Precision Viticulture

Wireless Sensor Networks

Wireless sensor networks (WSN) is a self-configured, infrastructure-less wireless network. A wireless sensor network comprises a group of wireless sensor nodes that communicate wirelessly and are distributed in an ad-hoc manner (randomly) to monitor various conditions, such as light, humidity, air/water temperature, air pressure, sprinkler water flow, soil acidity, and soil moisture parameters in the agricultural domain. In a WSN, each sensor node is a small yet powerful device equipped with a microcontroller, a radio frequency receiver and transceiver, a power source, and memory for wireless communication. These nodes are designed to operate independently, configuring themselves into a network without needing a pre-existing infrastructure or transmission media, such as cables.

WSN Protocols

In the agricultural domain, WSNs collect precise and extensive real-time field data. Various communication protocols, including ZigBee, Wi-Fi, Sigfox, and LoRaWAN, find typical applications in PV. These technologies significantly contribute to sustainable and precision agricultural production by ensuring long-distance coverage, low data packet loss, low power consumption, and effective connectivity.

Applications of WSNs in Precision Viticulture

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are widely used in viticulture because vineyards exhibit significant variability in soil, microclimate, and vine growth. Wireless sensor networks consist of distributed sensor nodes that collect, process, and transmit data (e.g., soil, microclimate, vine conditions) to support precision viticulture decisions.

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