Agriculture

Agriculture
5th
5th IFAC Conference
IFAC14-17,
August Conference on
on Sensing,
Sensing,
2016. Seattle, Control and
and Automation
Control USA
Washington, Automation for
for
August
5th IFAC14-17, 2016. Seattle,
Conference
Agriculture Washington,
on Sensing, Control USA
and Automation for
Agriculture Available online at www.sciencedirect.com
Agriculture
August
August 14-17,
14-17, 2016.
2016. Seattle,
Seattle, Washington,
Washington, USA
USA
August 14-17, 2016. Seattle, Washington, USA
ScienceDirect
Rice
Rice Cultivation Support
IFAC-PapersOnLine
Cultivation System
49-16 (2016)
Support 143–148 Equipped
System Equipped with with
Rice
Rice Water-level
Cultivation Support Sensor
System System
Equipped with
Rice Cultivation
Cultivation Support
Water-level
Support
Water-level
System
Sensor
System
Sensor
Equipped
System
Equipped
System
with
with
Yuta Kawakami, TakashiWater-level
Hideto Sensor
Water-level Sensor System
Furuta, Nakagawa, System
Taichi Kitamura, Kiyokazu Kurosawa,
Yuta Kawakami, Takashi Furuta, Hideto Nakagawa, Taichi Kitamura, Kiyokazu Kurosawa,
Kazuma
Kazuma Kogami,
Kogami, Naoto
Naoto Tajino,
Tajino, Mikiko
Mikiko Sode Tanaka
Yuta
Yuta Kawakami,
Kawakami, Takashi Takashi Furuta,
Furuta, Hideto
Hideto Nakagawa,
Nakagawa,
 Taichi Sode
Taichi Kitamura,
Kitamura, Tanaka Kiyokazu
Kiyokazu Kurosawa, Kurosawa,
Yuta Kawakami, Takashi Kazuma Furuta,
Kogami, Hideto
Naoto  Tajino, Mikiko
Nakagawa, Taichi Sode Kitamura, Tanaka Kiyokazu Kurosawa,
Kazuma Kogami, Naoto Tajino, Mikiko Sode Tanaka
Kazuma Kogami, Naoto Tajino, Mikiko Sode Tanaka
Kanazawa
Kanazawa Institute Institute of of Technology,

Technology, Nonoichi,
Nonoichi, Ishikawa Ishikawa
Japan (Tel:
Japan (Tel: 076-248-1100;
076-248-1100;
Kanazawa e-mail:
e-mail: b1595145@planet.kanazawa-it.ac.jp).
b1595145@planet.kanazawa-it.ac.jp).
Kanazawa Institute of Technology, Nonoichi, Ishikawa
Institute of Technology, Nonoichi, Ishikawa
Japan Kanazawa Institutee-mail: of Technology, Nonoichi, Ishikawa
Japan (Tel: 076-248-1100;
(Tel: 076-248-1100; e-mail: b1595145@planet.kanazawa-it.ac.jp).
b1595145@planet.kanazawa-it.ac.jp).
Abstract: Japan (Tel: 076-248-1100; e-mail: b1595145@planet.kanazawa-it.ac.jp).
Abstract: FarmersFarmers are are aging
aging in in Japan.
Japan. TheyThey mustmust pass pass along
along their their wisdom
wisdom to to the
the future
future generations
generations to to
protect
protect
Abstract: the
the safety
safety
Farmers of
of own
own
are aging food.
food. in Currently,
Currently,
Japan. Theyresearch
research
must on
on
passthe
the cultivation
cultivation
along their management
management
wisdom to the of
of using
using
future a field
a field server
generations server
to
Abstract:
has beenbeen Farmers
made are aging
widely in Japan.
conducted. They must
Traditions thatpass along the
leverage theirdata wisdom to thefrom
obtained future generations to
Abstract:
has
protect
protect the Farmers
themade
safety
safety ofare
widely
own aging
ownconducted.
of effective food.
food.
in Currently,
Japan.
Currently,
They
Traditions must
research
research that pass
on along
leverage
the
onthat
theirdata
the
cultivation
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to thefrom
obtained offuture
of using
usingaa field
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aa fieldserver
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considered the to be
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the rice to the web server automatically. Therefore, we have created a web page which
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Keywords:
operation ofagriculture;
the rice short-range
the rice cultivation
operation ofagriculture;
Keywords: short-range communication;
support
support system.
system.
communication; rice field; field server; sensor network reserved.
rice Hosting
field by Elsevier
sensor Ltd. All
network rights
operation of the rice cultivation support system.
Keywords: agriculture;
Keywords: agriculture; short-range
short-range communication;
communication;  rice
rice field;
field; field
field server;
server; sensor
sensor network
network
Keywords: agriculture; short-range communication;  rice field; field server; sensor network
1. 
1. INTRODUCTION
INTRODUCTION 
1.
In
1. INTRODUCTION
Japan, aging
INTRODUCTION of farmers has progressed. The average age of
In
1. Japan, aging
INTRODUCTION of farmers has progressed. The average age of
the
the agricultural
agricultural working population was 66.8 years
years old in
In
In
2014
Japan,
Japan, aging
aging of
(Ministry ofworking
farmers
farmersWe
2011).
population
has
has progressed.
progressed.
need to
was The 66.8average
The
pass average
on the
old
age
age of
skilled
in
of
In
2014
the Japan, aging
(Ministry
agricultural of farmers
2011).
working Wehas progressed.
need
population towas The
pass66.8 average
on the
years age
skilled
old of
in
the agricultural
technology of working population was 66.8 toyears oldthe in
the
2014agricultural
technology
2014 of farmers
(Ministry
(Ministry 2011).to
working
farmers
2011).
the
the
We next
need generations
population
to We next
need towas
generations
to pass
pass
66.8
on
protect
ontoyears
protect
the
the
oldthe
skilled
skilled
in
safety
2014
safety of eating
(Ministry
of eating habits.
2011).
habits.to Currently,
We need research
to pass on
on agricultural
the skilled
technology
technology
management
of
ofoffarmers
farmers
utilizing toaCurrently,
the
the
field
next
next
server
research to
generations
generations
has to agricultural
protect
protect the
the
technology
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of
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habits.
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The
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field of
of skill
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skill
server are and
that
and wisdom
support data
wisdom
considered can
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that
be an visualized
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fromThe
performing
technology. the
field
data server
mining are
and considered
machine to be
learning. an effective technology. The
field
data server
mining
of are
skillandand considered
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effective technology.
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visualized by users,
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it
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machineagriculture. For inexperienced users, it
data
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to performand machine
efficient learning.
agriculture. For inexperienced users, it
is important
important to
to be be supported
supported with
with reference
reference to to the
the visualized
visualized
In
is
data Japan,
important
to the
thetocultivation
be supported of staple
of with food
food of
staplereference rice
of to theis thriving.
isvisualized
In to perform
dataJapan, perform efficient
efficient agriculture.
cultivation agriculture. rice thriving.
However,
data
In to
However,
Japan, the
perform
the
the introduction
efficient
introduction
cultivation of of
agriculture.
of
staplea
a field
field
food server
server
of rice system
system
is has
has Fig. 1. Overall Configuration of conventional field server
In Japan, the
progressed in cultivation
mainly of staple
tangerine foodand
fields of rice
tea is thriving.
thriving.
plantations. Fig. 1. Overall Configuration of conventional field server
In Japan,
progressed
However, the
in
the cultivation
mainly
introduction of
tangerine staple
of a food
fields
field andof rice
tea
server is thriving.
plantations.
system has
However,
Their the
introduction introduction
in of a field server system has
in rice fields of has not
fieldprogressed much.
much. The has Fig.
However, the introduction afields server system Fig. 1.
1. Overall
OverallitConfiguration
Configuration of
of conventional
conventional field
field server
server
Their introduction
progressed
progressed in
in mainly
mainly rice fields
tangerine
tangerine has not
fields progressed
and
and ateatea The
plantations.
plantations. Therefore,
Therefore, is
is difficult
Fig. 1. OverallitConfiguration difficult to
to perform
of conventionalperform large
large investment.
field server investment.
reason
progressed is because
in that
mainly rice fields
tangerine do not
fields have
and teapower supply.
plantations. PaddyWatch (Vegetalia 2015) and e-kakashi (Norio 2011)
reason
Their
Their
It is
is because
introduction
introduction
difficult to
that
in
in
install
rice
rice
rice
a
fields
fields
fields
power
has
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supply,
not
not
not have a
progressed
progressed
because
power
of
much.
much.
cost.
supply.
The
The PaddyWatch
Therefore,
Therefore, it(Vegetalia
is
it isThey 2015)
difficult
difficult to and e-kakashi
perform
tobyperform (Norio
large
large 2011) do
investment.
investment. do
Their
It is
reason introduction
difficult to in
install rice
a fields
power has
supply, not progressed
because of much.
cost. The not need power. operate battery cell. However, they
reason is is because
because that that rice
rice fields
fields do do not not have
have aa power
power supply.
supply. PaddyWatchTherefore,
not need
PaddyWatch power.it(Vegetalia
isThey
(Vegetalia
difficult
operate
2015) toand
by
2015)reduction.
perform
battery
e-kakashi
and e-kakashi
large
cell. investment.
However,
(Norio
(Noriothe 2011)
2011)they
do
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reason
It
In is is because
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it is that arice
install
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power
to dosolar
supply,
install notbecause
have
panels a of
power
cost.
because supply.
solar have only
PaddyWatch sensors for
(Vegetalia power
2015) and Therefore,
e-kakashi (Norio system
2011) do
It
In is difficult
addition, to
it isinstall a
difficult power
to supply,
install solar because
panels of cost.
because solar have
not
not only
need
need sensors
power.
power. for
They
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by battery
battery Therefore,
cell.
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However,
However, system
they
they
It is difficult
panels are bigto and
installgetain power
the supply,
way of because of
farming. Forcost.
examples, cannot
not need transmit
power. rice
They field images.
operate by The
battery growing
cell. management
However, they
panels are big cannot
have transmit
only sensors ricefor field
power images.
reduction. The growing
Therefore, management
the system
In
In addition,
addition, it isand
it is get in to
difficult
difficult theinstall
to way of
install solar
solarfarming.
panels
panels For examples,
because
because solar
solar have
of only sensorstofor power reduction. Therefore, the system
Fujitsu's
In areAkisai
addition,
Fujitsu's
panels it isand
Akisai
big (Fujitsu
difficult
(Fujitsu
get in 2015)
in to
the wayrequires
install
2015) solar
requires
of power
panels
farming.power to
because
For the rice
the solar
toexamples,
examples, rice and of rice
have
riceonly
cannot
cannot
is
is linked
sensors
linked
transmit
transmit tofor
rice
rice
the
the leaf
power
field
field
color
leafimages.
color
images.
and
reduction.
and The
The
the height
height of
Therefore,
thegrowing
growing of rice
the
management
management
plants
ricesystem
plants
panels
fields, are
and big
the and get
installation thefeewayis of
high. farming.
Management For of rice cannot is assessed
transmit through
rice fieldimage
images. analysis,The but
growingthat is difficult
management to
panels
fields, are
and
Fujitsu's Akisaibig
the and get
installation
Akisai (Fujitsu in
(Fujitsu 2015)thefeewayis
2015) requires of
high. farming.
Management
requires power For
power to examples,
to the of rice
the rice manage and
of riceis assessed
is
of rice isonly linked through
to
linkedbytothe the image
leaf
the sensor. color
leaf color analysis,
and
and the but
the heightthat
height is
of difficult
rice
of rice Akisai to
plants
plants
Fujitsu's
fields is often done by individual farmers. of rice is linked to the leaf color In andaddition,
the Fujistsu’s
height of rice plants
Fujitsu's
fields
fields, is Akisai
often
and the done (Fujitsu
by 2015)
individual
installation fee is requires
farmers.
high. power to the
Management of rice manage
rice and
and is
is only by
assessed
assessed the sensor.
through
through image
image In addition,
analysis,
analysis, but
but Fujistsu’s
that
that is
is Akisai
difficult
difficult to
to
fields, and the installation fee is high. Management of rice (Fujitsu 2015) and e-kakashi
image(Norio 2011) are
fields,isand
fields thedone
often installation
by high. Management of rice (Fujitsu
fee isfarmers.
individual and is assessed
manage
manage 2015)
only
only by
through
and
by e-kakashi
the
the sensor.
sensor.
analysis,
(Norio
In
In 2011)
addition,
addition, are not
but that not
Fujistsu’s
Fujistsu’s
equipped
is difficult
equippedto
Akisai
Akisai
fields is often done by individual farmers. manage only by the sensor. In addition, Fujistsu’s Akisai
fields is often done by individual farmers. (Fujitsu 2015) and e-kakashi (Norio 2011) are not equipped
Copyright © 2016 IFAC 143 (Fujitsu 2015) and e-kakashi (Norio 2011) are not equipped
Copyright © 2016 IFAC 143 (Fujitsu 2015) and e-kakashi (Norio 2011) are not equipped
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Copyright
Peer review©
Copyright 2016
©under IFAC
2016 responsibility
IFAC 143
143Control.
of International Federation of Automatic
Copyright © 2016 IFAC
10.1016/j.ifacol.2016.10.027 143
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with a water-level sensor that is used in rice field
management because these are multipurpose agricultural
management system. The water-level is the vital part of rice
field management. Thus it must be adjusted carefully.
Therefore, they are a system which cannot be made to reduce
the cost of the patrolling rice field. In addition, the sensor
data are transmitted by 3G network. For this reason,
operating costs (communication cost) are high, and has made
the introduction of these systems difficult. Fig. 1 shows the
image of the overall view of the conventional field server.
Therefore, we made a rice cultivation support system for rice
field utilizing field servers which work with mobile battery,
have the camera and use free local networks. Because a big
field server become a hindrance to the farm work, we have
created a movable field server. In addition, we made water-
level sensor system which works directly with the field server.
The proposed system provides the homepage as a first step of
management of the rice. Therefore, the proposed system is
excellent in the point of cheap operational cost and the
introduction cost. The proposed system is also easy-to-use
system and the field server can easily be moved. We installed
the field server outdoors and did field tests. Also we tested
the rice cultivation support system. In the results, we could
confirm the operation.
In section 2, we explain the overall configuration of the rice
cultivation support system. Especially, we explain the child
device subsystem, the parent device subsystem, the repeater
subsystem, the cloud subsystem and the smart device
subsystem. In section 3, we explain the child device system.
In section 4, we explain the configuration of the water-level
sensor system. In section 5, we show the operation
experimental result of the rice cultivation support system. In
section 6, we show the comparison result with the existing
systems. In section 7, we describe our conclusions.
2. OVERALL CONFIGURATION OF RICE
CULTIVATION SUPORT SYSTEM
We explain the overall configuration of the proposed rice
cultivation support system. Fig. 2 shows the overall structure
of the rice cultivation support system. This system is
constructed of the following six subsystems. The free local
wireless network is used in the child device subsystem, the
parent device subsystem and the repeater subsystem. In many
cases, the farmer already has a network connection which
needs an access fee. The network is used for the upload to the
cloud and the confirmation of the data.
 Child device subsystem
This system is the field server which is placed in the rice
field for data collection. The available data are air
temperature, air humidity, the soil temperature, soil
moisture, the water-level, and the rice field images.
 Parent device subsystem
This system is the subsystem that receives the data sent
from the child device, and is be uploaded to the Cloud
server. The subsystem is placed in the home or the work
place.
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 Repeater subsystem
This subsystem is for the prolonged communication over
distances. It is not possible to perform the data
communication when the distance between the parent
device and the child device is too far. By placing the
repeaters between the parent device and the child device,
data can be transferred further away.
 Cloud subsystem
This subsystem saves the sensor data and the image data
of the rice fields and performs the analysis. The analysis
results are converted to the homepage format
automatically. Therefore, it has become a mechanism that
allowing the latest results to be checked at all times from
any location.
 Smart device subsystem
This subsystem is for viewing the acquired data outdoors.
It can see the data from the homepage by using the
personal computer or a smart phone at any time and from
anywhere.
 Water-level sensor subsystem
This system is for measuring the water-level and
transmitting the value to the field server. The system
consists of several subsystems. In addition, the system
calculates the average water-level by using several
subsystems. The system is placed in rice field.
Fig. 2. Overall configuration of rice cultivation support system
2.1 Child device subsystem configuration
We will explain the child device subsystem configuration.
Fig. 3 shows the structure of the child device subsystem. The
child device subsystem is equipped with three types of
sensors and camera system. The device is equipped with a
power on-off circuit for turning on only the power supply at
the time of transmitting the data. Table 1 shows a list of
sensors that were installed in the child device subsystem.
Sensors can be added as needed. The air temperature and the
air humidity are measured by the temperature humidity
sensor (hereinafter referred to as T & H sensor). The soil
temperature is measured by the soil temperature sensor, and
the soil moisture content is measured by the soil moisture
sensor. Also, the rice field image is obtained by the camera.
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From the above, we mounted a camera to get the rice field

image in this study.

2.2 Parent device subsystem configuration

We will explain the parent device subsystem configuration.

Fig. 4 shows the structure of the parent device subsystem.
The Raspberry Pi of the parent device system receives the
data transmitted from the child device subsystem using the
ToCoStick. After that, the Raspberry Pi uploads the received
data to the Cloud server by using the internet.

2.3 Repeater subsystem configuration

Fig. 3. Configuration of child device subsystem
We will describe the repeater subsystem configuration. Fig. 5
Acquired data from the sensor and the camera is sent to the shows the structure of the repeater subsystem. Many rice
parent device subsystem through the path shown with the fields in the Hokuriku region are farmers of private
dashed arrow in Fig. 3. The data measured by T & H sensor, management, and the rice fields are near the homes. Because
the soil temperature sensor, and the soil moisture sensors are the houses are dotted throughout the rice fields, the outlook is
temporarily stored in the internal ROM of the Arduino good. Therefore, we adopted the short-range wireless
(Aruduino 2016), and is sent at regular time intervals to the communication system in this study on the premise that the
Raspberry Pi (Raspberry 2015). Also, the camera gets the rice distance from the house to the rice field is short and outlook
field image and sends it to the Raspberry Pi at regular is good. In the 2.4GHz wireless network, it is not possible to
intervals. The Raspberry Pi is prepared one by one by the perform the data communication when the distance between
sensor and the camera. When each Raspberry Pi receives the the parent device and the child device is far. By placing the
data, each Raspberry Pi sends the data to the parent device repeater between the parent device and the child device, the
subsystems by using the ToCoStick (Mono 2015) which is communication distance can be increased. In this system, it
are short-range wireless system. can increase communication distance by about 350m for each
repeater.
Table 1. List of mounted sensors on child device
subsystem
Sensor Name Implementer Values
Air temperature
T & H sensor Seed Studio
Air humidity
Soil temperatur sensor Maxim interated Soil temperature
Soil water sensor Seed Studio Soil moisture
Camera ELECOM Picture of rice field

The accumulated air temperature is known to be a reasonable

way to manage rice fields and as a reasonable way to manage
countermeasure pest insect (Morie 1990). In addition, air
humidity is known to have a strong effect on the time rice Fig. 4. Configuration of parent device subsystem
blossoms (Tsutomu 1997). Hence, we mounted the T & H
sensor which measures the air temperature and the air
humidity on our field server. The soil temperature is known
to have strong effect on specialization of growth points
(Ichiro 1963). Also, it is possible to reduce milky white
kernels, base immature grain, and body split grains by
managing the soil moisture after emergence, and it is possible
to improve the ratio of perfect grains (Yoshifumi 2010).
Therefore, we mounted the soil temperature sensor and the
soil water sensor on our field server.
In the cultivation of rice, we are able to make high quality Fig. 5. Configuration of repeater subsystem
rice by managing the nitrogen nutritional status in an optimal
way. Also, we can prevent polluting water through over- To confirm the state of the rice field in remote areas, it is
fertilizing. Until now, farmers had used the color scale which necessary to transmit a data from the child device subsystem
evaluates leaf color in order to estimate the nitrogen content. to the parent device subsystem. However, in order to not
The nutrition diagnosis which judges the demand of disturb agricultural work, we can’t use cables such as LAN.
additional fertilization based on nitrogen nutritional status are Moreover, farmers can’t use a wireless system such as the
regarded as important technology for agriculture (O 2011). costly 3G network, because the connection fee is high. To

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overcome these problems, we built a system that doesn’t need

the cables and communication expenses by using free short-
range wireless communication. Data is sent to the terminal in
the home from the rice field by using short-range wireless
communication. At home, there is internet, and the data can
be confirmed from the outside through the internet (mobile
terminal or the like). Herewith, even if the child device
subsystem was placed in a plurality of the rice fields, a
contract of 3G network isn’t needed, that is, a connection fee
like 3G network is not required need in each rice field. As a
result, costs can be reduced.

2.4 Cloud subsystem configuration

The cloud subsystem is the subsystem in which the sensor

data and the image data of the rice fields are saved and those
data are analysed. Through this system, we are able to view
the data of rice fields from anywhere. In the future, the field
image data collected is analysed for leaf color scaling using
image processing techniques. Fig. 6. Work progress confirmation screen

2.5 Smart device subsystem configuration

In this system, we actualized the managing progress and

created a farm work diary based on the general process of
rice field work. The administrators enter a general farm work
schedule to the calendar. Thus, workers can perform farm
work smoothly under the schedule. This system operates on
the web. The administrator can manage the work with a
household personal computer or a smart device. Fig. 6 shows
the screen of a smart device subsystem. This screen shows
the general working contents on the calendar. Workers can
confirm working contents of today readily. In addition, we
created a feature that can add schedule by worker oneself,
because schedule should be changed and should be added
depending on weather and so on. Color of markers on the
calendar shows the contents of work. Green markers means
general process of the rice field work. In addition, blue
marker means the plans ware created by the workers.
Therefore, the administrator can manage the progress easily. Fig. 7. Work detail confirmation screen
As a result, it is expected that oversight of farm work is
reduced. 3. CHILD DEVICE SYSTEM OVERVIEW
Fig. 7 is displayed by clicking on the day displayed in the Reducing the number of patrols of rice fields is an effective
calendar of Fig. 6. This screen can view the details of the method to reduce the burden of the farmer. In addition,
created schedule. Farmers can fill in the details of the work management of the leaf color is known to be effective when
for each task. Also, workers can view the image and the performing growth management. Therefore, we decided to
sensor data that are getting from subsystem. In addition, place the camera on the child device subsystem to allow
workers can confirm the weather in detail that got from Japan confirmation of the state of the rice field in remote areas.
Meteorological Agency. In order to manage progress, we put However, the camera is difficult to place on the field server
checkboxes. In doing so, the workers can report the progress in the rice field because it consumed power is large.
to the administrator easily. Furthermore, we put farm work Therefore, in order to place the camera in the rice field
diary at the bottom. The workers can create a diary while without the power source, solar panels or a large capacity
confirming the overall informs. In order to analyze the diary battery is required. However, since they must be placed so as
later and extract the wisdom of the farmers, we put the pull not to obstruct the growth of rice, installation location is
down menu to divide to each work contents. The created limited. The child device subsystem must be moved when
diary can be see by clicking on the link in this screen. We large equipment such as mowing machines enter the rice field.
thought that this system can support to extract of the For these reasons, we created a power-saving system to work
knowledge of the skilled person by displaying the details of by battery that is compact and lightweight.
the work and environmental data on a single screen.

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Fig. 8 shows how to install the child device subsystem and
the water-level sensor subsystems. The height of the child
device subsystem is fixed at about 1.5m, considering the
height of the rice. In addition, because sensors are placed
outdoors, they are subjected to waterproof measures.
Fig. 8. Structure of child device subsystem
4. WATER-LEVEL SENSOR SYSTEM OVERVIEW
It is known that management of water-level is important
when performing rice field management. For example, after
the rice is planted, the farmer must keep high the water-level
in order to protect the weak roots and stems. Also, when the
lowering of the temperature is presaged, the farmer must
keep the water-level high in order to maintain the temperature
of the roots. Therefore, we created the water-level sensor
system. In this system, several subsystems which measure the
water-level are placed in the rice field and measure the water-
level. The data is accumulated on a field server at constant
hourly intervals automatically. The reason for an installation
of several subsystems is to measure the average data because
rice fields are not always flat.
Fig. 9. Structure of water-level sensor
Fig. 9 shows the configuration diagram of the subsystem.
This subsystem mainly consists of the ultrasonic sensor, the
PVC pipe and the data logger. Table 2 shows the detail of the
ultrasonic sensor of this system. The water-level is calculated
from the following steps. First, the height of the PVC pipe is
measured in advance. Second, after installation, the distance
from the top of the pipe to the surface of the water is
measured with an ultrasonic sensor. Finally, the height from
the top of the pipe to the surface of the water from the height
of the PVC pipe. The data is accumulated at field server by
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data logger. The communication method uses the same
technique as the transfer of the above-mentioned field server.
The data that are accumulated in the field server are
transmitted to the web server together with other sensor data.
By introducing this system, we think that management
techniques that are specific to rice fields can be carried out.
Table 2. Detail of mounted sensor to the system
Sensor Name Implementer Values
Ultrasonic Ranger SainSmart Distance
5. PRACTICAL OPERATION RESULTS
We installed the child device subsystem outdoors and did
field test. In the results, we could confirm the operations. Fig.
10 shows the data of air temperature and soil temperature
over one week of measurements. The vertical axis on the left
side shows air temperature and soil temperature, and
horizontal axis shows the date and time of observation. Solid
line shows the data of air temperature, and the dashed line
shows the data of soil temperature. Fig.11 shows the
measurements of data of soil moisture and air humidity over
one week. The vertical axis on the left side shows the soil
moisture, and the vertical axis of right shows the humidity.
The horizontal axis shows the date and time of observation.
The Solid line shows the data of soil moisture, and the dashed
line shows the data of air humidity. The first line of the Fig.
10 and Fig. 11 shows the weather on the day that has
acquired the data.
Fig. 10. Measurement results of air temperature and soil temperature
Fig. 11. Measurement results of air humidity and soil moisture
From data of air temperature of Fig. 10, air temperature was a
low between the 15th and the 17th. Those days had snowed.
Air temperature became higher between the 18th and 19th.
Those days were sunny. Air temperature on the 20th became
lower than before day because the day was rainy. In a similar
way, soil temperature was low between the 15th and 17th.
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Soil temperature rose between the 18th and 19th. Soil
temperature on the 20th became lower, however, the
variation is small. From the 15th to 17th, it has snow.
Therefore the air humidity high, and soil humidity is low.
The 18th and 19th were sunny days. Therefore the snow
melted, soil humidity is rose. We consider that measurement
had been carried out correctly.
6. COMPARISION RESULTS WITH EXISTING
SYSTEMS
We will make a comparison of the proposed system with the
existing system. Table 3 shows the comparison results. We
made a comparison at five points that is whether easy to
move, whether with a camera, whether to work with the
battery, the type of network to be used and whether with a
water-level sensor.
Table 3. Comparison result with existing systems
Fujitsu
eLAB
Proposed experience PS Solutions
(Fujitsu
system (Vegetalia (Norio 2011)
2015)
2015)
Camera ◯ ◯ × ×
Small
battery ◯ × ◯ ◯
Network ◯ △ △ △
Easy to
move ◯ × ◯ ◯
Water-
level ◯ × ◯ ×
sensor
Fujitsu products (Fujitsu 2015) are equipped with a camera in
the field server, but it requires a large battery, and it is not
equipped with a water-level sensor. Moreover, it is difficult
to move since it is a fixed type, and it uses the costly 3G
network. eLAB experience products (Vegetalia 2015) do not
required large battery but the camera isn't equipped on the
field server. It is equipped with a water-level sensor. It also
uses the costly 3G network. PS Solutions products (Norio
2011) is easy to move because it doesn't require a large
battery, but the camera and water-level sensor are not
equipped, again it uses the costly 3G network. On the other
hand, the proposed system is equipped with a camera, a
water-level sensor, and a power saving device. Therefore, the
proposed system doesn't require a large power source.
Moreover, connection fee is not occurring because we are
using the free local network rather than 3G network. The
proposed system is easy to move. That is to say, the proposed
system is superior to other systems at five points.
7. CONCLUSION
We made a rice cultivation support system utilizing the field
servers which work with a mobile battery, equip a camera,
and use free local networks. Moreover, we made water-level
sensor system which works directly with the field server.
Because large field servers become a hindrance to the farmer,
we created a movable field server. The field server is
equipped with sensors for temperature, humidity, soil
temperature, and soil moisture. In addition, the field server is
also equipped with a camera and water-level sensor system.
The proposed system operates in power saving mode, and is
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equipped with a short-range communication system that does
not require a network usage fee. In order to not interfere with
the farm work, the field server strut height is changeable,
weight is light and removal is simple. We installed the field
server outdoors and did field tests. Also we tested the rice
cultivation support system. In the results, we could confirm
operation. We made a comparison of the proposed system
with the existing system. The proposed system is superior to
other systems on five points. The first point is the proposed
system is easy to move. The second point is it has a camera.
The third point is it works with the mobile battery. The fourth
point is it uses free local network and last point is able to
measure the value of water-level. The proposed rice
cultivation support system is an excellent system in the points
of easy operation and the installation.
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