Low Power Wireless Networks in Vineyards

The focus of this work is developing an effective and cost-efficient monitoring system that collects spatially-granular data within a vineyard. Many vineyard managers currently rely on limited data paired with past experiences to make key decisions pertaining to frost prediction, pest and disease prediction, and irrigation optimization. Considering that soil conditions and microclimates vary significantly within a single vineyard, this lack of data prevents them from precisely managing their vines.By engaging stakeholders in iterative prototype development, we identified key design features of a low-cost, high-density sensor network for vineyards. Functionally, an ideal system 1) uses Long Range (LoRa) wireless communication technology; and 2) places temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity sensors in relevant areas throughout the vineyard. Additionally, by engaging with industry competitors, we learned that the market lacks low-cost, high-density sensor network implementations.Using LoRa allows for a high density of sensors to be placed in every microclimate throughout a vineyard without relying on cellular coverage. The focus on temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and light intensity targets a low cost, minimally-viable set of metrics that can provide the necessary information for key models and decisions.User input and site visits suggested that the system must endure harsh environmental conditions and relay timely, actionable data without disrupting fieldwork. To prevent damage and extend device lifetime, the sensor housing and connections need to be waterproof and durable. Further, vine growing methods are not standardized across the industry, meaning the product needs to be adaptable to different growing styles. Vineyard managers want a system that informs their decisions by providing data and the results of established prediction models. The research presented here shows that a system incorporating these features and minimizing costs will be valuable in vineyards while also being broadly applicable to a variety of other agricultural applications.