DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MICRO:BIT

AUTOMATED LAWN SPRINKLER

Experimental Research
Submitted to the Faculty of the
Laboratory Science High School, College of Education
Cavite State University
Indang, Cavite

In partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the subject
CSRS14- Research Capstone

MARGHERITA ANNE T. LOPEZ

ZAVIER ALAN C. RUFO
EARL CLARENCE S. SAN DIEGO
June 2022
 Republic of the Philippines
CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
Don Severino de las Alas Campus
Indang, Cavite

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Laboratory Science High School

Authors: MARGHERITA ANNE T. LOPEZ

ZAVIER ALAN C. RUFO
EARL CLARENCE S. SAN DIEGO

Title: DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF

MICRO:BIT AUTOMATED LAWN SPRINKLER

A P P R O V E D:

JOWIE G. ESPALDON _________ JEFFERSON A. HUBILLA ________

Research Adviser Date Technical Critic Date

RUFRIEL S. MESA _________ JAKE RAYMUND F. FABREGAR, DEM ____

Department Chair Date College Research Coordinator Date

AMMIE P. FERRER, PhD __________

Dean Date
 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Margherita Anne T. Lopez lives in 028 Magdalo St. Buna Lejos II Indang,

Cavite. She was born on June 12, 2003, in Philippine – Korean Friendship Hospital in

Trece Martirez, Cavite to her parents, Randy P. Lopez and Marlene T. Lopez. She has

a younger sister named Nina Sophia T. Lopez.

She studied at Cavite State University – Child Development Center in Bancod

Indang, Cavite for 6 years as an elementary student, where she graduated with Best

in Computer in April 2016. She won first place in their school’s science quiz bees from

2012 to 2015 and attended regional science quiz bees from 2013 to 2014. She also

received an award for winning first place in the University of the Philippines – Diliman

campus’ MATHSCIAKA On-the-spot workshop competition last 2014. She is currently

enrolled in Cavite State University – Laboratory Science High School as a Grade 12

student under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

strand.
 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Zavier Alan C. Rufo was born on April 03, 2004 in General Trias, Cavite. He is

the second child among the four children of Mr. Alan E Rufo and Mrs. Maylene C. Rufo.

He is currently residing at Phase 1B, Javalera, General Trias City, Cavite.

He obtained his elementary education as Best in English and Science at Javalera

Elementary School, General Trias, Cavite in 2016. He graduated from Amadeo

National High School with honors in 2020. There he joined different clubs such as Yes-

O Science Club, Robotics Club, and Papyrus Library Club. He was also introduced to

the world of robotics in his 8th grade and managed to win 1st place in the Lego Ev3

Sumobot Category at the Division Festival of Talents in Science-2017. He further

pursued robotics together with his fellow robotics club members and joined many

competitions, namely RoboRave Philippines 2018 and 2019, where his team won 3rd

place in Sumobot Lego 3kg, Robocon 2019, and 2019 Innovative Students and

Robotics Inter-School Competition.

He is currently enrolled in Cavite State University – Laboratory Science High

School as a Grade 12 student under the Science, Technology, and Mathematics

(STEM) strand.
 BIOGRAPHICAL DATA

Earl Clarence S. San Diego is currently residing at Purok 1, Bilog, Alfonso,

Cavite. He was born on September 10, 2004, in Bilog, Alfonso, Cavite to his parents,

Enrico M. San Diego and Sallie S. San Diego. He has two younger sisters named Erica

Shane S. San Diego and Elaiza Mae S. San Diego.

He finished his elementary education as a valedictorian in Bilog Elementary

School, Bilog, Alfonso, Cavite in 2016. While in elementary, he garnered various

awards and recognitions by joining academic contests. Garnering the position of

second place in the 2015 Regional Metrobank-MTAP-DepEd Math Challenge held in

Sta. Cruz Laguna is one of the merits worth to be mentioned. Moreover, he also

received the Dangal ng Bayan award in the municipality of Alfonso.

In 2020, he completed junior high school with high honors at Kaytitinga

Integrated High School, Kaytitinga 1, Alfonso, Cavite. While in junior high school, he

joined competitions mainly concerned with Mathematics and Science. One notable

recognition is that his team won first place in the investigatory project contest at the

2018 Division Festival of Talents in Science.

At the present, he is enrolled at Cavite State University- Laboratory Science

High School as a Grade 12 student under the Science, Technology, Engineering, and

Mathematics (STEM) strand.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The authors would like to share this study’s success and express their

gratefulness to the following individuals who helped to complete this study:

Mr. Jowie G. Espaldon, thesis adviser, for sharing his utmost knowledge to aid

the group in accomplishing the study with efficiency and mastery;

Mr. Jefferson A. Hubilla, technical critic, for giving his sound advice regarding

our research paper, being critical of it from its technical aspects to suggestions and

recommendations that benefit the study;

Ms. Marina P. Caudilla, research coordinator of the high school department, for

fulfilling her duties in aiding the group to complete the manuscript and present it in the

final defense;

Mr. Rufriel S. Mesa, department chairman, for his support in the conduct of the

study especially in allowing the group to perform the data collection on the

department’s grounds;

Dr. Jake Raymund F. Fabregar, college research coordinator, for his support

in conducting and finishing the study;

Dr. Ammie P. Ferrer, dean of the College of Education, for her encouragement

in pursuing the study;

Engr. Marvin Parayno, electrical engineer, for assisting the group in the

assembly and programming of the robot and suggesting possible inputs for the

improvement of the study;

Above all, they would like to express their gratitude to the ALMIGHTY GOD, for

the guidance and provision of knowledge, strength, and skills to the group to complete

the study until its very end.

MARGHERITA ANNE T. LOPEZ

ZAVIER ALAN C. RUFO

EARL CLARENCE S. SAN DIEGO

 PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author would like to express her gratitude to the following persons who

made contributions to accomplish this study:

Her fellow group mates, Zavier Rufo, for introducing their group to robotics by

continuing previous research from their school, attending to her as they conduct their

research, and most especially, inviting his friend, Engr. Marvin Parayno to help assist

them in building the technical parts of the research, and Earl San Diego, for giving her

the initiative to work early and efficiently every time they conduct their study while

maintaining a friendly atmosphere for their group. Collectively, she wants to thank them

both for conducting this research alongside her, from sharing their collective ideas to

make this research feasible, giving their efforts to be able to complete this study, and

creating a friendship beyond working together for this research;

Her closest friends, Michelle Grana and Daniela Quirap, for sharing their

experiences in conducting their research even if they are not in the same team as she

is. Their company is very well appreciated as it reminds her how important rest is to

improve the quality of any work;

Her friend group, Travelers of Teyvat, and her classmates for keeping her

company when she is conducting her research as well as her other school works and

acquiring details for the activities the whole class is to submit for their individual

research;

Lastly, her parents, for allowing and accompanying her to go to various places

to conduct her research, giving her input for her study’s completion, and for supporting

her to do her best in whatever she does. Without them, she will not be able to complete

the study with utmost efficiency while maintaining a colorful character.

MARGHERITA ANNE T. LOPEZ

 PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

There are many wonderful people behind the success of this study and the

author would like to express his gratitude to the following persons who helped and

inspired the author to complete this study:

His thesis mates: Earl Clarence San Diego and Margherita Anne Lopez for

keeping the group productive, the study enjoyable, and for being responsible for the

quality of the paper;

Their former thesis adviser, Sir Mark Joseph Lorenzo for teaching the authors

how to keep the integrity of the study and guiding them in the first stages of their study’s

journey;

His Grade 10 thesis mates: Gayle Ashley Cortez, Dalemark Angcaya, Angel

Jan Arcilla, and Ranzel James Villanueva for allowing the authors to continue the study

they conducted in Junior High School;

His Grade 10 teacher, Ma’am Rose for believing in his capabilities despite his

failures;

Ange for her love, help, support, encouragement, and for being an inspiration

in finishing this study;

Ortiz Family, especially Kuya Lito for his advice regarding the technicalities of

this study and about life, and for making the casing of the author’s project;

Lastly, his supportive parents, Mr. Alan Rufo and Mrs. Maylene Rufo, and his

sister and brothers, Ate Zandra, Habeng, and Gab, for their care, trust, love, and moral

support.

ZAVIER ALAN C. RUFO

 PERSONAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author would like to thank the following individuals for giving significant

contributions to the fulfillment of the study:

His fellow group mates, Zavier Alan C. Rufo and Margherita Anne T. Lopez, for

exerting their utmost effort, participation, and knowledge to create the foundation of

the research and accomplish its objectives in the end. The relationship built within the

group became absolute, going far beyond just the aim of finishing the study;

Their former research adviser, Mr. Mark Joseph A. Lorenzo, for providing inputs

in the initial stage of the study that became crucial in its progressive development;

His closest friend, Angelo, for providing accompaniment and encouragement

to complete the study in the best way possible;

His friend group for extending their support by raising his morale and dedication

to accomplish the study wholeheartedly and proficiently;

His classmates for giving their aid whenever needed and sharing their

understanding in terms of the details concerning the subject where the study is

included;

His parents and sisters, for their effort in expressing their concern in the study

through various means such as providing financial assistance, allowing him to conduct

the study at the place prescribed, giving him feedback in terms of some facets of the

manuscript, and believing in his ability to accomplish the study with mastery and

accuracy;

Above all, the ALMIGHTY GOD, for being the source of wisdom, ability, and

passion to pursue the research and accomplish it until the end.

EARL CLARENCE S. SAN DIEGO

 ABSTRACT

LOPEZ, MARGHERITA ANNE T., RUFO, ZAVIER ALAN C., SAN DIEGO, EARL
CLARENCE S. Design, Development, and Performance Evaluation of Micro:bit
Automated Lawn Sprinkler. Undergraduate Thesis. Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics. Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite. June 2022.
Adviser: Mr. Jowie G. Espaldon

The study was conducted from March to May 2022 at Cavite State University-

Laboratory Science High School located at Bancod, Indang, Cavite to design, develop,

and evaluate the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. Specifically,

the study aimed to: 1. determine the result of the design and development of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler; 2. determine the elapsed time for water

application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler; and 3. compare the

performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler and the timed lawn sprinkler

in terms of the amount of water consumption in a given area. An experimental research

design was used for the study since the study involved various variables to come up

with the desired output. The study initially focused on the design and development of

the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, and then proceed with its performance

evaluation using a timed lawn sprinkler for comparison.

In terms of the design of the product, illustrations and diagrams were made to

serve as guides on how it will be established. The overall setup of the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler was also configured in this part. Moreover, the automated

sprinkler was successfully developed by following the established design and was

working properly according to the program set by the researchers. After the design and

development, the performance evaluation was performed concerning two parameters:

the elapsed time and amount of water consumption of the sprinkler. The product was

estimated to operate within the range of 10.32 min to 15.08 min based on the trials.

Also, it is found that it consumed lesser water in the range of 165.277 L to 271.123 L

when compared to a timed lawn sprinkler traditionally used among households.

 The study lead to the conclusion that the developed Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler was operating in adherence to the design previously established by the

researchers. It worked with the program solely dependent on the soil moisture level of

the lawn where it is placed. Concerning the performance of the product, the elapsed

time for water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler is less than the

operating time of a timed lawn sprinkler, revealing that it saves time in applying

sufficient water in the lawn. In addition, it is also proven that the product saved a

significantly great amount of water in supplying necessary irrigation in the lawn.

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA iii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT vi

ABSTRACT x

LIST OF TABLES xiii

LIST OF FIGURES xiv

LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES xv

LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES xvi

LIST OF APPENDICES xvii

INTRODUCTION 1

Statement of the Problem 4

Objectives of the Study 5

Conceptual Framework 5

Significance of the Study 6

Time and Place of the Study 7

Scope and Limitation of the Study 7

Definition of Terms 8

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE 10

METHODOLOGY 19

Materials 19

Methods 21

Experimental Design 21

Experimental Treatments 21

Experimental Layout 22

Data gathered 24

Analysis and Statistical Treatment of Data 25

 Research Process 27

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 31

Design of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 31

Development of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 33

Performance Evaluation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 34

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATIONS 38

Summary 38

Conclusion 39

Recommendations 40

REFERENCES 41

APPENDICES 43
 LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Soil moisture values categorized by level 11

2 Cost computation of the materials needed in the study 20

3 Schedule of trials performed for the timed lawn sprinkler 23

4 Schedule of trials performed for the Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler 24

5 Summary of the Elapsed Time of Water Application of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 35

6 Summary of the data collected in the trials for the water consumption
of the two sprinklers 36

7 Summary of the paired t-test on the amount of water consumption of

the two types of sprinkler 36
 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1 Input-Process-Output Model for the Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler 5

2 Automatic plant watering system using a Micro:Bit

(Instructables Circuits, 2021) 15

3 Research conduct layout 22

4 Research method processes performed 30

5 Design of the robotic interface of the Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler 31

6 Design of the setup of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 32

7 Connections incorporated in the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler 33

8 Developed Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler used in

the trials 33
 LIST OF APPENDIX TABLES

Appendix
Table Page

1 Summary of the trials concerning the time consumed by

the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in its
water application 47

2 Summary of the trials concerning the water consumption of the

timed lawn sprinkler and the Micro:bit Automated
Lawn Sprinkler 47
 LIST OF APPENDIX FIGURES

Appendix
Figure Page

1 Program used in the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler 48

2 Design of the casing and the components included 48

3 Place where the study is conducted 49

4 Sample image on the conduct of trials for the timed lawn

sprinkler 49

5 Sample image on the conduct of trials for the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler 50
 LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix Page

1 Data sheets 43

2 Letter request for the conduct of the study 45

3 Timetable of activities 46
 1

DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MICRO:BIT

AUTOMATED LAWN SPRINKLER

Margherita Anne T. Lopez

Zavier Alan C. Rufo
Earl Clarence S. San Diego

An experimental research submitted to the faculty of the Laboratory Science High School
Department, College of Education, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for CSRS14- Research Capstone. Prepared under the
supervision of Mr. Jowie G. Espaldon.

INTRODUCTION

For the past centuries, the advancement of modernization had reached a pace that

mankind has never seen. From the imprisonment of stars in the bulb, little figures of man

shown on a screen, into spaceflight, something that humans thought impossible for

centuries, and to the invention of the personal computer, internet, and the technology as

we know it now. Whenever something like this is invented, it always sparks a new candle

to improve every society, making every human life oftentimes dependent on technology.

Robotics, one branch of our technology that has risen to popularity, has been heavily

inclined with the mass production in factories, automation of our works, and assistance of

the pilots in maneuvering airplanes and spacecraft. It is where we build robots for

specialized functions, whereas further manipulation and programming have been

executed for them to perform certain jobs for us. As robotics evolved into an indispensable

field of technology in modernized times, it has been continuously attributed to the

progression of various environmental strategies to combat the depletion of various limited

natural resources.
 2

As technological advancement continues unabated, it is undeniable that

necessities such as food, water, clothing, and shelter from which the system and human

way of life are rooted to remain. Regarding water concerns, as growth continues, the

population increases, and the need to supply necessities constantly raises, it cannot be

hidden that we have a problem facing irrigation. As the millennium enters, there are La

Niña and El Niño phenomena.

In the Philippines, the complications brought by insufficient water supply have been

significantly normal as time goes by. According to the World Health Organization (2019),

one out of ten Filipinos still does not have access to improved water sources, mostly those

who were situated in rural communities. The recent water shortage in Metro Manila also

depicts the fluctuations of water availability even in the nation’s capital. Consequently, the

occurrence of the El Niño phenomenon and climate change could further worsen the

declination of the water supply in the country by constantly ascending surface

temperatures in various water resources.

To date with the water supply depletion in the country, several human activities

had been identified as the roots of the conflict. As stated by Ferguson and Maxwell (2012),

the impact of irrigation on groundwater storage and stream fall can be quantified as a

decrease in water supply attributed to a 2.5°C temperature rise. Furthermore, as the onset

of the increasing world population implies emerging food demand, irrigation effects are

expected to ascend constantly (Tilman et al., 2011). Another relevant factor contributing

to continuous irrigation practices is the worsening of global warming aftermaths (Hanasaki

et al., 2013; Wada et al., 2013; & Leng et al., 2015). As irrigation oftentimes suggests a

controlled distribution of water in a large area like fields of crops, it must be noted that it

can also apply in small-scale sections such as irrigations of lawns in the mode of home

gardening.
 3

As for urban areas, water has been used in numerous activities to support quality

of life and economic activities. Urban irrigation consumes water mainly for social and

ecological services, and as time passes by, home gardening within residential areas has

been a part of the urban lifestyle to such an extent that it poses an undeniable impact on

water consumption outside households (Cook et al., 2012). A study conducted by

Maheshwari (2016) revealed that 2 percent to 84 percent of the total water used by a

household is attributed to outdoor water use, mainly on home irrigation of sprinkler

systems, during the study period. Consequently, it depicts the importance of integrating

water conservation measures into a homeowner’s irrigation activity. Considering these

statements, the researchers focused on the creation of a product that could improve water

sprinkler irrigation in lawns within residential lots.

A study conducted by Kiran et al. in 2020 explored the potential of using a soil

moisture sensor to create automatic irrigation systems. The research was conducted in a

large agricultural area, with the usage of an Arduino board as a microcontroller to regulate

the water pump and supply water to plants through a rotating platform sprinkler. Relatively

high amounts of water were generated for the field with the use of a submersible motor

pump and a low power supply from 2.5 V to 6 V. With that, the researchers want to address

the gap in developing an alternative automated sprinkler using a new robotic device,

specifically the Micro:bit, that suited with smaller land portions not requiring large-scale

irrigation such as lawns in residential areas.

The concept of the research originated from the previous study of Amadeo

National High School (ANHS) students in 2019. Their study focused on building an

automatic soil moisture detector with the use of Lego Mindstorms EV3 and a Micro:bit,

and tested its accuracy which is good when compared to a trusted pH and soil moisture

level reader from the market. They recommended in their research paper its application in
 4

gardening, and that has ignited the idea of incorporating a soil moisture detector into an

average lawn sprinkler.

The main aim of this study was to design and develop a Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler and evaluate its performance in terms of elapsed time of water application and

amount of water consumption. The product was constructed by including a soil moisture

sensor operated by a Micro:bit in a typical lawn sprinkler. The robot was guided with

designated parameters to measure the moisture level of the soil, and hence, operated

automatically when the soil’s moisture level drops to a certain low level. With the inclusion

of robotic programming, the sprinkler could run with minimal human intervention in varying

moisture measurements. In addition, a solar power bank was used as the source of

electricity for the operation of the Micro:bit, to pave the way for the utilization of sunlight

as a natural energy resource.

The Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler brought significant improvements in the

consumption of water services in gardening. The product reduced the incidence of

unnecessary water usage, as the sprinkler operated at regular intervals in the appropriate

periods. In a large-scale overview, the product could contribute to the preservation and

conservation of limited water sources, hence, firmly manifesting the role of robotics in the

advancement of environmental resource protection.

Statement of the Problem

Generally, this study dealt with the design, development, and performance

evaluation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler.

Specifically, the study aimed to answer the following questions:

1. What is the result of the design and development of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler?

2. What is the elapsed time for water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler?
 5

3. What is the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in comparison with

the timed lawn sprinkler in terms of the amount of water consumption in a given area?

Objectives of the Study

Generally, this study dealt with the design, development, and performance

evaluation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler.

Specifically, the study aimed to:

1. determine the result of the design and development of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler.

2. determine the elapsed time for water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler.

3. compare the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler and the timed

lawn sprinkler in terms of the amount of water consumption in a given area.

Conceptual Framework

Input Process Output

 Micro:bit Automated
Lawn Sprinkler
 Lawn sprinkler  Preparation of
 Water meter materials
 Building of the
 Micro:bit
sprinkler’s hardware  Evaluation of the
 Solar power bank  Calibration design, development,
 Moisture level of the soil  Programming and performance of
 Capacitive soil moisture  Testing and the Micro:bit
Comparison Automated Lawn
sensor
 Elapsed time of water Sprinkler.
 Solenoid valve application of the
 Micro:bit breakout board Micro:bit Automated
Lawn Sprinkler
 Relay module with
 Amount of water
optocoupler consumption of the
Micro:bit Automated
Lawn Sprinkler

Figure 1. Input-Process-Output Model for the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

 6

The study utilized the Input-Process-Output (IPO) Model as a visual diagram to

represent the conceptual framework as shown in Figure 1.

Inputs included the key materials that are utilized for the construction and

evaluation of the development of parameters for the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler.

The process comprised the research methods conducted in the study to come up with the

product and compare it with controlled groups to arrive at an output concerning the

evaluation of its design, development, and performance.

Significance of the Study

The researchers mainly addressed the remodeling of a standardized lawn sprinkler

into an automated one. Consequently, the study brought various benefits as stipulated

below.

For the field of engineering. The study contributed to the integration of robotics

as a field formulated by different branches of engineering. By creating a product fitted with

the technology present nowadays, a clear picture of how engineering is applied in various

aspects could be seen. The concept of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler could be

utilized as an inspiration for further inventions and creations potentially formed in the

discipline.

For government agencies. The outcomes of the study can be integrated by

government agencies specifically concerned with the promotion of the conservation of

natural resources. Even though the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler is primarily built

for small-scale water conservation among lawns in residential areas, the research can be

further developed for other areas where cases of water misuse are evident.

For water sprinkler manufacturing companies. The proposed Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler is feasibly manufactured as an innovative product in the

market, mainly posing higher tendencies of attracting customers who are lawn owners.

The Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler will be patented as an invention created by the
 7

researchers, which can also be contracted by water sprinkler industries for future design,

innovation, manufacturing, and marketing.

For lawn owners. The product introduced an automated system of applying home

irrigation among lawns through the aid of robotic programming. It is more convenient for

lawn owners to supply the necessary amount of water to sustain ideal soil moisture levels

in their lawns, as the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler operated whenever the moisture

level reaches a significantly low level. Moreover, the water consumption for outdoor

irrigation is optimized as unessential cases of water usage are reduced.

For future researchers. The study left recommendations and suggestions for

possible configurations of the product. Future researchers could attempt searching for

other means of electrical energy for the Micro:bit, mainly those with a relatively different

voltage output from the solar power bank. Additionally, they can venture on applying the

sprinkler in other areas such as in vegetative fields or gardens. In this case, variations in

moisture level parameters are expected to occur.

Time and Place of the Study

This study is conducted at the Cavite State University- Laboratory Science High

School in Barangay Bancod, Indang, Cavite from March to May 2022.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

The study focused only on the design, development, and performance evaluation

of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. The product’s accuracy was assessed using a

soil moisture level tester, while its performance was compared to the timed lawn sprinkler.

The soil moisture was set at 70 for the low level and 88 for the ideal level, whereas the

parameters included in the program were based solely on the corresponding soil moisture

level of the soil type where the study was conducted. Moreover, measurements made in

terms of water consumption were expressed in terms of liters.

 8

The operation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler mainly focused on the

soil’s moisture level in a typical environment and was not concerned with fluctuations in

terms of weather conditions. The product is observed in a lawn as the site for irrigation

and did not involve other forms of agricultural lands such as gardens and vegetative fields.

Definition of Terms

The terms used in the experimental research about Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler were defined both conceptually and operationally for a clearer scope of

understanding of the study.

Alligator clips are used for creating electrical connections. In the study, the

researchers connected it to a wire that holds either the moisture sensor or the motor and

a port in the Micro:bit.

Breakout Board is an extension of the robot that provides access to more pins for

sensors and robots. The researchers used it to connect the Micro:bit to the soil moisture

sensor and the solenoid valve.

Chip is the brain of the robot. In this study, it is used as the CPU that receives the

data from the moisture sensor and tells what the robot would do based on the data

received.

Lawn Sprinkler is an irrigation device that shoots water at a certain duration of

time set by the owner. In this study, it is used to compare the volume of water used by the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. It also served as the main function of the robot which

is watering the lawn grass.

Microsoft MakeCode refers to a programming platform created by the

collaboration of Microsoft Research and Visual Studio that contributes to a rich computer

science utilization. In the study, the researchers used Blocks in coding with the soil

moisture variable and motor bit.

 9

Micro:bit is a hardware where the program is installed. In the study, this held the

chip and contained the USB port for the power supply.

Power Bank is a portable device used to store electrical energy for later use. In

the study, it is used as a source to supply electricity for the Micro:bit.

Robotic is concerned with the nature of robots. In the study, a robotic interface is

incorporated with a typical lawn sprinkler for it to be mechanical and automated.

Soil Moisture Level Tester is a standard soil moisture level detector on the

market that farmers and gardeners typically use. In this study, the researchers used it to

test the accuracy of the soil moisture sensor.

Soil Moisture Sensor is a two-probe metal that is used to measure the volumetric

water content of the soil. In this study, the researchers inserted it into the soil inside the

range of the water sprinkler.

Solar Energy is a type of energy released by the Sun’s radiation. In this study, it

served as the source of energy for the electricity needed by the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler.

Solenoid Valve is an electrically-operated valve. It is used to turn release/shut off

the water supply when the optimum soil moisture reading is reached.

Relay Module with Optocoupler served as the indirect connection of two unlike

grounds (analog and digital) and prevents the occurrence of short circuits. In this study, it

is used to amplify the voltage output of the Micro:bit for the solenoid valve to operate, and

at the same time, protect the microcontroller from higher voltages.

 10

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

This chapter worked with the essential related literature and studies from foreign

and local origins which are presented in the succeeding paragraphs. It is composed of a

review of the literature related to this study which covers the very understanding of the

use of Micro:bit as a soil moisture detector and background information about a timed lawn

sprinkler, automated sprinkler system, and extent of water consumption.

Micro:bit as a Soil Moisture Detector

A recent study has identified the use of Micro:bit as a soil moisture detector. It

includes another robot named Lego Mindstorms EV3, they used it to put the moisture

sensor into the soil and identify its moisture, which is displayed by the Micro:bit.

Micro:bit. Micro:bit is a pocket-sized computer that was developed by the British

Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and used primarily for computer education in the United

Kingdom in the year 2015. Some of its features include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) light

display, buttons, sensors, and numerous other outputs that make a user delve into the

programming world. Nowadays, it is widely used to invent things and preserve nature

through its projects, Healthy Oceans, Saving Sea Creatures, and Protecting Animals on

Land. The company has a motto, “Get creative, get connected, get coding! The pocket-

sized computer transforming the world.”

Soil moisture detector. As the name of the device suggests, a soil moisture

detector can measure and sense the soil moisture content, further having a mechanism

to supply appropriate irrigation water to the soil depending on its moisture content. With

the aid of an automated irrigation system, it can either allow or stop the flow of water in

plants (Gowd et al., 2020). As soil moisture sensors have brought convenience, this form

of technology has emerged in all parts of the world. Consequently, varied studies have

attempted to bring changes to the controller in its preexisting components (Harper, 2017).
 11

Adding such a technology to the science of a sprinkler did not only reduce the consumption

of water used by a sprinkler but also helped conserve our limited natural resources as it

automatically stops after sensing that the soil has already met its threshold moisture.

Micro:bit as a Soil Moisture Detector. The researchers from ANHS conducted a

study about the accuracy of the soil moisture sensor using Micro:bit in detecting the soil’s

moisture level. They have concluded that Micro:bit can accurately read the moisture level

of the soil by comparing its data to a trusted pH and soil moisture level reader from the

market. They categorized the soil moisture level of the soil into low, mid, and high based

on the electrical resistance of the soil, read using voltage ranging from 0-1023. The value

for low moisture level is 683-1023, the mid moisture is 342-682, and the high moisture

level is 0-1023 (Angcaya et al. 2019). The summary of the findings is presented in Table

1.

Table 1. Soil moisture values categorized by level

MICRO:BIT SOIL MOISTURE SENSOR

SOIL MOISTURE LEVEL (0-100)
(electrical resistance/voltage: 0-1023)

0-341 67-100 (High)

342-682 34-66 (Mid)

683-1023 0-33 (Low)

Soil Moisture. Soil moisture has been commonly used nowadays as an indicator

for the level of irrigation demand, further having particular importance in irrigation water

management. In recent times due to the increase in population, demand for freshwater in

all competing sectors has been a reserve for irrigation that raises the need to optimize the

utilization of irrigation water with its high efficiency (Behera et al., 2021).

Soil Type. The soil type in Indang is said to be clay loam. In composition, it is

described to be 26.20 percent sand, 41 percent silt, and 30.80 percent clay based on the
 12

soil sample taken in Brgy. Buna Lejos I (Bueno et al., 2019). Moreover, a test employed

by Laurenzi (2018) using a soil moisture meter revealed that a soil moisture level of 88

and above is ideal for clay loam soil type and irrigation must be applied whenever the soil

moisture level reached 70 and below.

Timed Lawn Sprinkler

A timed lawn sprinkler is a manually operated sprinkler that is set at a particular

time to water the lawn, for example, 30 min or an hour. In a simpler sense, it is a major

requirement for it to be directed with human intervention.

Sprinkler. Sprinklers are used as irrigation devices used to simulate rain either on

a lawn, garden, or agricultural land. It has various types depending on the area that is

being watered, from manual to automatic, nozzle types, pop-up types, and many more.

In set systems, the sprinklers are stationary while irrigating, whereas sprinklers move

in either a straight or circular path while irrigating in the case of continuous-move systems.

The set-move or solid set system is subdivided into portable and periodic-move systems.

The portable systems are either hand-moved or tractor-moved. In these systems, the

sprinkler laterals are moved manually or mechanically between irrigation sets (Osei,

2009).

Timed Lawn Sprinkler. The timed lawn sprinkler has been an important

improvement in the field of conventional surface irrigation. Within set time intervals and

required quantities, it distributes water uniformly along the land surface, typically

manifesting a sort of natural rainfall. In this sprinkler system, the infiltration rate of the soil

is considered to avoid surface erosion from irrigation. Typically, the use of this sprinkler is

appropriate for irrigation systems where the uniform application of water is necessary,

such as in undulating lands, sandy, or shallow soils (Patel & Prajapati, 2020).

In connection to lawn irrigation, it is ideal to water lawns with approximately an inch

of water per week. On average, letting a sprinkler run for 20 minutes will supply one-third
 13

inch of water to the lawn, hence requiring three days weekly to achieve the standard lawn

irrigation. In addition, the best time to water is between 6 am to 10 am as watering in the

middle of the day results in wasteful evaporation while watering at night makes water

droplets cling to the grass overnight, leading to an increased risk of lawn diseases

(Murphy, 2019).

According to Orlando Sprinkler Pros (2021), watering through the aid of a typical

sprinkler has standard flow rates ranging from 4 gal/minute to 11 gal/minute. Considering

this rate, an ideal lawn sprinkler operated to run in 20 min will use 80 gal to 220 gal of

water, or similarly, 303 L to 833 L of water.

Automated Sprinkler System

The integration of innovative practices in agricultural processes posed ways on

how to conserve water, which was evidently misused in various traditional gardening

systems. One such example is the use of automated sprinkler systems that introduced

more sustainable irrigation methods.

Robotic Sprinkler System. In the modern context, the most commonly used

device in constructing automatic sprinkler irrigation systems is Arduino Uno. The

equipment served as the microcontroller to control the configured system, which is based

on soil moisture level detection to automate watering in plants. The water supply is

typically directed by a motor or water pump switched on or off by the system, depending

on the moisture level sensed by the soil moisture sensor.

A study by Ghosh et al. (2016) explored the use of Arduino Uno as a

microcontroller to construct a web-based sprinkler system. Through an application, the

soil moisture reading of the moisture sensor in a farm can be sent remotely and be

transported to the microcontroller which will direct if water will be applied or not. Basically,

this system is a smart drip irrigation interface that utilized cloud computing and data

mining.
 14

Moreover, Barbade et al. (2021) constructed a smaller sprinkler irrigation system

that can be used in farm divisions. The Arduino Uno, relay module, water pump, and

moisture sensor were primarily included to come up with the automation. Whenever the

soil moisture level is found to be dry upon the program set, the Arduino Uno sent the signal

to the water pump to open, which then supplied water for the plants. The water pump only

stopped after the soil moisture sensor detected that sufficient water has been supplied to

the soil.

Plant Watering System using Micro:bit. Concerning the Micro:bit used in this

study, several studies attempted to construct simple automated watering systems using

the device. A project proposed by a site named Robotique Tech in 2021 used the Micro:bit

to create an automatic irrigation system applicable for a single plant or on a small

plantation. The components used to design and develop the device included a Micro:bit

board, a soil moisture sensor, a 5V water pump, a relay module, and a water tank. By

utilizing the analog signal from the sensor, the microcontroller had the ability to activate

the water pump when the soil needed irrigation.

In another project in Instructables Circuits in 2021, the same hardware

components are utilized to create an automated plant watering system. The programming

was made through the use of block coding in TinkerCAD, where functions were created

on how the device would operate. When the capacitive soil moisture sensor detected that

the moisture level is below the threshold set in the program, the DC pump opened to

supply water to the soil. The system automatically stopped after reaching the ideal level

desired. The product is shown in Figure 2.

 15

Figure 2. Automatic plant watering system using a Micro:Bit (Instructables Circuits,

2021)

Water Consumption

On a mid-summer day, the average lawn uses 125 gal of water per 1,000 ft2.

Conversely, 10 gal of water are attributed to be consumed by the same lawn on a cool

and cloudy day. On a typical hot day, a mature tree can consume 15 gal of water on an

hourly basis. Any plant exposed to hot sun, low humidity, and strong winds will evaporate

large amounts of water that must be displaced from the soil or it will die. Grass is

particularly sensitive since 85 percent of its bulk is water (Lowe’s, 2021).

Water Misuse. Oftentimes, irrigation methods and their effects are interdependent

with each other. As the method of flood irrigation distributes a great amount of water

volume in short time intervals, it largely contributes to water runoff and table compared to

that drip and sprinkler irrigation. For the key to approximating water use efficiency in water

irrigation, it is crucial for establishing differences between irrigation water source and

method, and the idea of how terrestrial water balances are altered by irrigation (Huang,

2017).

Global Water Crisis. March 2020, 25,000 homes in London experienced a major

water shortage due to frequent washing of hands amid the rising fear of COVID-19
 16

transmission. People in Mexico get a water supply once a month. In Cape Town, South

Africa, it is illegal to wash your car with tap water due to a decline in rainfall, because of

that it holds the record of being the world’s first major city that ran out of drinkable water.

These examples show how serious the global water crisis is. Part of the problem is

people’s attitude towards the subject, they use water as if it is never-ending. But it is, 97

percent of the world’s hydrosphere is salt water, 3 percent freshwater, and only about 23

percent of it is accessible for human use. This just shows that it is possible to run out of

drinkable water and how little our resources are. There must be more respect for how we

use our water daily. (Hare, 2020).

Synthesis. The advancement of technology can be traced to agricultural origins.

Taking this as a reference, the need to incline with environmental protection and

conservation must still flourish in the progression of modernization. Conversely,

technology has been attributed to expend natural resources constantly and it has been

considered one of the main threats to environmental degradation. As the risk progresses,

water resources have been also affected by technological advancements that pose a

global water crisis. This study dealt with the problem by introducing a Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler to regulate water consumption in lawns within residential areas.

A recent study has identified the use of Micro:bit as a soil moisture detector.

Micro:bit is a small, card-like computer that was created by the BBC to teach computer

education in the United Kingdom in 2015. Some of its features include a LED light display,

buttons, sensors, and numerous other outputs that make a user delve into the

programming world.

A soil moisture sensor is a device developed to automatically sense the moisture

level of the soil and can be used as a reliable indicator of inappropriate water irrigation of

an area based on specific moisture content. To measure the accuracy of the soil moisture
 17

sensor, researchers from ANHS conducted a study about it using a Micro:bit to detect the

soil’s moisture level.

On the other hand, a lawn sprinkler is a sprinkler that requires human intervention

to operate within a designated time interval. Timers set within workplaces had been an

effective implication in various work purposes to encourage time management and

productivity among employees. A sprinkler is considered nowadays as an irrigation device

due to its ability to distribute water either on a garden, lawn, or agricultural land. Numerous

forms of it emerge as time goes by, including manual or automatic, nozzle or pop-up types,

and the like.

Soil moisture is now widely used as a proxy for the extent of irrigation demand,

and it plays a crucial role in irrigation water management. Because of the recent rise in

population, demand for freshwater has become a reserve for irrigation in all competitive

industries, necessitating the need to maximize irrigation water use with its high

performance.

The study considered previous studies and projects that focused on creating

automatic irrigation systems in various agricultural fields. It is identified that aside from the

Micro:bit, the Arduino Uno is commonly used for sprinkler systems as the microcontroller

to control the electronic components included. Moreover, the possible use of web-based

automation is also explored by integrating cloud computing and data mining in the smart

drip irrigation interface. In terms of studies concerning the Micro:bit, the plant watering

systems were built on relatively small lands, such as just in soil containing a single plant

or a small plantation. Water pumps are principally employed as components to be

controlled by the microcontroller, which will then result in the automation of the water

supply to be delivered to plants.

Lawns situated in environments with varied weather conditions reveal differences

in their water consumption. On a mid-summer day, an average lawn is attributed to the

 18

consumption of 125 gal of water for every 1,000 ft2. On a cool and cloudy day, a similar

lawn consumes 10 gal of water. As the variations suggest, plants exposed to hot

temperatures, accompanied by low humidity and strong winds, are expected to need more

amounts of water. It must also be noted that grasses are particularly sensitive to water, as

it composes 85 percent of their bulks.

As the main consideration of the study is to determine the soil moisture level of the

soil to construct a Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, it was a must to determine the soil

type of the lawn. The soil type in Indang is specified as clay loam, having main

compositions of 26.20 percent sand, 41 percent silt, and 30.80 percent clay according to

a soil sample obtained from Buna Lejos I, Indang, Cavite. Furthermore, a test employed

using a soil moisture meter revealed that a soil moisture level of 88 and above is ideal for

clay loam soil type and irrigation must be applied whenever the soil moisture level reaches

70 and below.

Irrigation strategies and their results are mutually related. As opposed to drip and

sprinkler irrigation, flood irrigation adds significantly to water drainage and table since it

distributes a substantial volume of water in short periods. It is critical to create distinctions

between irrigation water supply and system, as well as the concept of how irrigation affects

terrestrial water balances, to approximate water usage efficiency in water irrigation.

The aforementioned literature and studies served as the basis for the researchers

to conduct the study. With the consideration of the background of the materials and

variables needed for the research, the researchers had an overview to assess and

establish the research objectives and procedures.

 19

METHODOLOGY

This particular chapter dealt with the procedures conducted by the researchers.

This section also included the research design, instruments, and methods that were

utilized to adhere to the research objectives in the manner of experimentation, data

collection, and data analysis.

Materials

Various devices and tools are utilized to construct the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler and to evaluate the product’s design, development, and performance. Detailed

descriptions of the materials used and their corresponding functions in the study are

discussed as follows.

 one unit of capacitive soil moisture sensor for assessing the soil moisture

 solenoid valve for shutting off the water supply when the highest level of soil

moisture is obtained

 breadboard for testing the circuit design

 one unit of Sparkfun Micro:bit Breakout for the expansion of the robot’s capabilities

by providing access to pins that enabled the robot to connect to more sensors and

motors

 one unit of Micro:bit v2: Nordic nRF52833, 64 MHz ARM Cortex-M4 core, 512 KB

Flash, 128 KB RAM as its CPU for analyzing the data collected by the soil moisture

sensor and executing the program

 timed lawn sprinkler to compare the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler in terms of its amount of water consumption

 two digital water meters for measuring the water expenditure of both sprinklers

 2 ½ m by 15 m watering hose for connecting the sprinkler to the water supply

 20

 waterproof 20000 mAh solar power bank with dual 5V USB output to supply energy

for the electrical devices

 relay module with optocoupler to enable the Micro:bit to connect to the solenoid

valve

 water-resistant USB cable to charge the Micro:bit

 soil moisture meter for testing the accuracy of the capacitive soil moisture sensor

 other electronic tools and equipment for the assembly of the materials for the

experiment

Table 2. Cost computation of the materials needed in the study

QUANTITY DESCRIPTION UNIT PRICE COST

1 piece Micro:bit Chip ₱2500.00 ₱2500.00

2 pieces Lawn Water Sprinkler 200.00 400.00

1 piece Breadboard Set 780.00 780.00

2 pieces Water Meter 210.00 420.00

30 meters Medium-sized Water Hose 618.00 618.00

1 piece Capacitive Soil Moisture Sensor 80.00 80.00

1 piece Relay Module with Optocoupler 60.00 60.00

1 piece Solar Power Bank 600.00 600.00

1 piece Solenoid Valve 300.00 300.00

2 piece Water Hose Fittings 190.00 380.00

TOTAL ₱6138.00
 21

Methods

Experimental Design

The study used the experimental research design to create the

independent and dependent variables involved in the research. According to

Mitchell (2015), the experimental research design is chiefly inclined with

establishing research focused on validating the internal validity of specified

variables. The precision of statements depicting causal or comparative

relationships between two or more variables is of great concern.

Specifically, a comparative experimental research design was

administered to test the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in stipulated

parameters. The performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in terms

of the amount of water consumption is assessed by comparing it with the timed

lawn sprinkler.

Experimental Treatments

The operation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler was dependent

on the soil moisture level of the soil, as the parameters set in its program are based

on the soil moisture values designated to the type of soil it is situated in. Hence,

the soil moisture level was considered the independent variable, while the amount

of water and time consumed by the sprinkler in its water application were the

dependent variables.

In the study, the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler was considered as

the experimental group. The timed lawn sprinkler was employed as the control

group to evaluate the performance of the product in terms of the amount of water

consumption.
 22

Experimental Layout

For the first two weeks of the study, the researchers prepared the materials

used in the study. In the third week, the researchers constructed the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler with the aid of necessary materials. The calibration of

the product in detecting the moisture level of the soil was also facilitated this week

with the use of a soil moisture level tester. In the fourth week, the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler and the timed lawn sprinkler were set up in areas with

similar soil moisture levels. This period served as the time for the conduct of five

trials for the elapsed time for water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler and five trials for the water consumption of the two sprinklers. In the fifth

to sixth week, the researchers organized the data gathered from the

experimentation process and analyzed them through specified statistical

treatments to arrive at validated results and conclusions. The summary of the

experimental layout of the study is shown in Figure 3.

Weeks 1-2 Week 3 Week 4

2. Building of the 4. Setting up the
Micro:bit Micro:bit
1. Preparation of Automated Lawn Automated Lawn
materials for the Sprinkler. Sprinkler and
study. 3. Calibration of the timed lawn
accuracy of the sprinkler.
Micro:bit 5. Performing the
Automated Lawn trials for the two
Sprinkler. sprinklers.

Weeks 5-6

6. Organizing the
data from the
trials.
7. Data treatment
and analysis.

Figure 3. Research conduct layout

 23

Figure 3 shows the layout of how the study is conducted in steps of the

research process. The time allotted for specific methods fulfilled in adherence to

the research objectives is included to present how the study ran to come up with

the necessary outcomes and generalizations.

Table 3 shows the schedule of the five trials executed for the timed lawn

sprinkler. A week was utilized for the trials, with the trials conducted on Tuesday

and Thursday.

Table 3. Schedule of trials performed for the timed lawn sprinkler

TRIAL WEEK DAY

1A 4 Tuesday

2A 4 Tuesday

3A 4 Tuesday

4A 4 Thursday

5A 4 Thursday

In every trial, the water consumption (in liters) of the sprinkler was

measured to further be subjected to statistical analysis. The time subjected to the

operation of the timed lawn sprinkler was based on the normal practice

incorporated into it.

Table 4 shows the schedule of trials made for the operation of the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler. Five trials were performed in one week, which was

done simultaneously with the trials of the timed lawn sprinkler.

 24

Table 4. Schedule of trials performed for the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler
TRIAL WEEK DAY

1B 4 Tuesday

2B 4 Tuesday

3B 4 Tuesday

4B 4 Thursday

5B 4 Thursday

The volume of water (in liters) consumed by the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler was recorded for every trial. In addition, the time for the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler to operate was also determined as part of the

performance evaluation of the product.

The trials were conducted on the lawn present in the place where the study

is conducted. Land portions with a constant area of 33 ft2 are measured to serve

as sites where the two sprinklers will be tested. In every trial, it is ensured that the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler is located in the soil with the same soil

moisture level where the timed lawn sprinkler is placed.

Data gathered

To evaluate the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler,

the specific data needed that were gathered in the study are described as follows.

Elapsed Time for Water Application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler

With the aid of a timer, the time it took for the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler to operate in reaching the ideal soil moisture level was measured. This

was measured in five trials, done together with the conduct of trials for the amount
 25

of water consumption of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. The mean of the

data collected is calculated to stand as the value for this parameter.

Amount of Water Consumption of the Timed Lawn Sprinkler

The researchers recorded the volume of water (in liters) consumed by a

timed lawn sprinkler by utilizing a digital water meter. Five trials were made which

are conducted in one week on Tuesday and Thursday. The amount of water

consumption by the sprinkler for every trial stood as the data used in the paired t-

test for comparative analysis.

Amount of Water Consumption of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler

With the use of a digital water meter, the researchers recorded the water

consumption (in liters) of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. Five trials are

also performed for one week on Tuesday and Thursday. The data collected served

as the samples used in the paired t-test to statistically determine if there is a

difference in the water consumption of the product and the timed lawn sprinkler.

Analysis and Statistical Treatment of Data

To evaluate the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in

terms of the amount of its water consumption and elapsed time for water

application, the data that were gathered from the study is subjected to specified

statistical treatment for analysis as stated below.

Mean. As the study involved five trials in measuring the elapsed time for

water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the mean must be

computed to stand as the single value for the parameter. This implied the average

time consumed by the sprinkler in reaching the ideal soil moisture level of 88 from

an initial soil moisture level of 70. The formula used in calculating the mean is

shown below.
 26

∑𝑥
𝑥̅ =
𝑁

Where:

x̅- mean or average

∑ 𝑥- summation of data values

𝑁- number of data values

Paired t-test. As a statistical procedure, the paired t-test is employed to

compare two population means by using pairs of data in the samples recorded. It

can be used to determine if there is a significant difference between two treatments

or methods that measures a specific variable. In the study, the paired t-test is

administered to assess if there is a difference in the water consumption of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler and a timed lawn sprinkler. The presence of

difference in the measurements in the actual population implied that the product

has a positive performance in terms of water consumption and conservation.

The formula used to obtain the t-score in the paired t-test is provided by the

formula below.

𝑑̅√𝑛
𝑡=
𝑠𝑑

Where:

𝑡- t-statistic for the paired t-test

𝑑̅- sample mean difference

𝑛- sample size

𝑠𝑑 - standard deviation of the differences

 27

Research Process

Preparation of materials. The researchers bought the needed materials

online such as the Micro:bit chip, solenoid valve, lawn sprinkler, water meter,

capacitive soil moisture sensor, solar power bank, and relay module with

optocoupler. The type of soil where the researchers set up the robotic sprinkler

was clay loam based on the findings of existing studies. For the water preparation,

the researchers connected the sprinkler’s water supply to a private property water

pipe which used solenoid valve as the mode of turning the sprinkler on and off.

Building the hardware for the robot. To start the construction of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the researchers built a casing for the Micro:bit

and solar power bank. The researchers connected the solar power bank to the

Micro:bit using a USB cable which constantly supplied it with electrical energy. As

for the connection of the capacitive soil moisture sensor to the Micro:bit, the

researchers utilized the breadboard kit which contains jumper wires and the

breakout board for Micro:bit. Another connection is made between the solenoid

valve to the Micro:bit using the relay module with optocoupler and jumper wires.

The said compartment is placed beside the source of water. As for the soil moisture

sensor, the researchers also used jumper wires to connect it to the Micro:bit. The

researchers inserted the soil moisture sensor covering the metal probe, at about

half the maximum distance that the water from the sprinkler can reach for the

sensor to accurately get the soil moisture level of the soil.

Program. The researchers used Microsoft MakeCode for Micro:bit as the

programming software. The Micro:bit followed the program stated:

If the sensor detects that the soil moisture level is below 70 or if the soil

around the area of the water sprinkler is dry, the solenoid valve incorporated into
 28

the Micro:bit turns on, enabling the water to flow and turn off the water supply if the

soil moisture reaches the ideal minimum level of 88.

Calibration of the product’s sensor. To find out if the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler detected the soil moisture level properly, it is subjected

to a test with the use of a soil moisture level tester. The readings of the soil

moisture level of the two are compared to determine the accuracy of the

measurements made by the product.

The Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler and the soil moisture level tester

were placed in a similar spot at the site where the test was conducted. The

moisture level readings from the two devices were recorded for comparison. When

the two readings werre similar or approximately equal to each other, the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler is accurate. Additional calibration is administered to

further ensure accuracy.

Since the Micro:bit displayed the soil moisture level in terms of its electrical

resistance while the tester directly showed the moisture level, there was a need to

express the measurement into comparable quantities. The formula derived from

the study of Angcaya et al. (2019) shown below is used to convert the reading of

the Micro:bit into the equivalent moisture level value of the soil.

3𝑅
𝑠 = 100 − ⌈ ⌉
31

Where:

𝑠- soil moisture level

𝑅- electrical resistance of the soil

Conduct of trials for the two sprinklers. The researchers set up the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler and timed lawn sprinkler in areas with a similar

soil moisture level. The trials were administered simultaneously to attain a total of
 29

five trials which were conducted in the fourth week on Tuesday and Thursday. The

water consumption of the two sprinklers were recorded for every trial, and variables

that may affect the parameter being focused on were controlled. In addition to the

water consumption of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the researchers

also recorded the time it took the sprinkler to apply irrigation for attaining the ideal

moisture level of the soil. The data collected served as the basis for assessing the

performance of the product in the specified parameters.

Data gathering. After every trial concerning the timed lawn sprinkler and

the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the researchers gathered the data

obtained and recorded it in the prepared datasheets. The collected data is further

subjected to statistical analysis to come up with a comparative analysis among the

variables being studied concerning the two types of sprinklers.

Data analysis. The data that was gathered by the researchers were further

subjected to statistical treatments to arrive at valid conclusions. After the five trials

that are conducted for the two sprinklers: the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

and a timed lawn sprinkler, the data gathered in terms of their water consumption

is subjected to a paired t-test to perform comparative analysis.

 30
Gathering of materials

Test

Setup A: Timed lawn sprinkler

Building of hardware Building of software

Creating a casing for the robot Connection of sensors and

solenoid valve to the Micro:bit

Programming

Calibration/ Testing of Accuracy

Setup B: Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler

Data gathering

Comparison

Conclusion

Figure 4. Research method processes performed

Figure 4 sums up all of the methods conducted in the study to arrive at

the findings inclined with the research objectives. It also includes the process of

how the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler was constructed as the proposed

product created by the researchers.

 31

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter dealt with the findings obtained from the experimentation process,

and the corresponding discussion of the implications brought by the results concerning

the objectives of the study. The analysis and interpretation of data obtained from the trials

are also included to serve as references for the generation of the study outcomes.

Design of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

Figure 5. Design of the robotic interface of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

The layout of the devices to be included in the automated sprinkler system is

shown in Figure 5. The power bank, Micro:bit, solenoid valve, and capacitive soil moisture

sensor can be seen in the diagram. Establishing electrical connections among the

materials paved way for the direct transmission of soil moisture level readings from the

capacitive soil moisture sensor to the Micro:bit, whose responsible for sending signals if

the solenoid valve will open or close. Moreover, the power bank is also connected to serve

as the source of power supply for the system.

The study made use of the solenoid valve in replacement to the water pump utilized

in previous studies concerned with building an automatic sprinkler system. The capacitive
 32

soil moisture sensor is retained as the device used to send signals for the direction of the

Micro:bit, similar to what is done by Instructibles Circuits (2021).

Figure 6. Design of the setup of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

Figure 6 shows the configuration of all materials incorporated to build the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler. The manner in which the robotic interface is integrated into

the hose and faucet connected to the lawn sprinkler can be viewed from the illustration.

This served as the general setup to be followed whenever the trials are conducted

involving the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler.

In terms of the hardware components included, there is a need for more electrical

connections in this case as a significantly larger field was desired to be irrigated. When

compared to the project of Robotique Tech (2021) which focused on small plantations, the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler needed other additional electrical components such

as a solar power bank to generate a sufficient power supply for the product.
 33

Development of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

Figure 7. Connections incorporated in the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

The overall appearance of the robotic and electronic features involved in the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler can be viewed in Figure 7. Electrical wirings were

carefully connected in the corresponding terminals of the materials to establish channels

for electronic signals to travel among them. The Micro:bit chip, power bank, and

optocoupler were placed inside the casing so that the devices did not get in contact with

water whenever the sprinkler operates. Moreover, the capacitive soil moisture sensor is

placed in the area watered, while the solenoid valve is included in the hose for the control

of the water supply.

Figure 8. Developed Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler used in the trials

 34

Figure 8 shows the developed Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. The solenoid

valve is inserted between the hoses that are connected to the faucet and to the lawn

sprinkler. The capacitive soil moisture sensor inserted beneath the soil sent signals to the

Micro:bit if the valve will open or close. Whenever the soil moisture level does not reach

the standard value of 88, the solenoid valve is directed to open for a particular duration.

For the operation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the faucet was left

open by the researchers. With that, the robotic interface incorporated into the system is

solely responsible for controlling the water flow in the sprinkler system. When the trials

were executed, it was found that the robotic programming placed in the Micro:bit was

working as planned. A sufficient power supply made the automation work whenever

needed.

The developed product worked similarly to previous automated sprinkler systems

that used Arduino Uno as the microcontroller in replacement to the Micro:bit. Similar to the

findings of Barbade et al. (2021), it is found that integrating a soil moisture sensing system

in the process is efficient for arriving at an output that can automate irrigation among fields.

In terms of the area covered by the device in its water application, it could sustain ideal

soil moisture levels on lawns significantly larger than small plantations that were irrigated

by the outputs of Robotique Tech (2021) and Instructibles Circuits (2021).

Performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

Elapsed Time of Water Application

Table 5 shows the results of the trials performed concerning the time covered by

the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in water application. It must be noted that all of

the measurements made are lesser than 20 min, which is the standard amount of time

attributed to a manually-operated lawn sprinkler.

 35

Table 5. Summary of the elapsed time of water application of the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler
Micro:bit Mean Standard 95% Confidence Interval
Automated Lawn Error Lower Interval Upper Interval
Sprinkler
Time Elapsed 12.70 0.858 10.32 15.08

After the consolidation of the data for the five trials, a mean of 12.7 min with a

standard error of 0.858 min was calculated to serve as a single parameter for this test of

the sprinkler’s performance. On average, using a 95 percent confidence interval, the

elapsed time of water application of the sprinkler is estimated to range from 10.32 min to

15.08 min.

This finding generated an understanding of how the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler consumed significantly lesser time than a timed lawn sprinkler which is

traditionally used. This assessment is supported by Murphy (2019) by stating that the

average time attributed to a timed lawn sprinkler is 20 minutes in its daily operation. With

that, by direct comparison, since the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler operates in a

range of 10.32 min to 15.08 min, it can be deduced that it saves time in applying the

necessary amount of water in maintaining the ideal soil moisture level of the lawn.

Amount of Water Consumption

Table 6 contains the result of the trials performed for the comparative analysis of

the water consumption of the timed lawn sprinkler and the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler. Note that the trials where the data were collected were performed

simultaneously, considering that the sprinklers watered lawn portions with constant areas

of 33 ft2. After the data gathering, a two-tailed paired t-test is administered to statistically

validate if the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler consumed a significantly different

amount of water compared to the timed lawn sprinkler.

 36

Table 6. Summary of the data collected in the trials for the water consumption of
the two sprinklers
Type of Sprinkler Mean N Standard Standard
Deviation Error
Timed Lawn 612.80 5 104.958 46.939
Sprinkler

Micro: Bit 394.60 5 115.080 51.465

Automated Lawn
Sprinkler

Note that the trials where the data were collected were performed simultaneously,

considering that the sprinklers watered lawn portions with constant areas of 33 ft 2. After

the data gathering, a two-tailed paired t-test is administered to statistically validate if the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler consumed a significantly different amount of water

compared to the timed lawn sprinkler.

Table 7 shows the results of the two-tailed t-test administered to compare the

amount of water consumption of the two sprinklers. In this case, the t-test considered the

alternative hypothesis that the difference between the two sets of paired samples is not

equal to 0. The corresponding p-value of the t-test statistic 11.447 was 0.000, which

implied that the results were highly significant.

Table 7. Summary of the paired t-test on the amount of water consumption of the
two types of sprinkler
Paired Mean Standard 95% Confidence t- P- Remarks
Differences Error Interval statistic value
Lower Upper
Interval Interval
Timed- 218.200 19.061 165.277 271.123 11.447 0.000 Highly
Micro:bit Significant
Automated

Since the obtained p-value is less than the alpha value of 0.05, the alternative

hypothesis is accepted. Hence, it can be said that the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

consumed a lesser amount of water than the timed lawn sprinkler, approximately an

amount of 218.2 L based on the trials. Applying a 95% confidence interval, the Micro:bit
 37

Automated Lawn Sprinkler is estimated to consume lesser water ranging from 165.277 L

to 271.123 L than the timed lawn sprinkler.

This finding is inclined with what is stated by the Massachusetts Institute of

Technology (2017). The traditional systems incorporated in various agricultural practices

become the major causes of water misuse, thus requiring the application of technological

advancements to create more sustainable irrigation systems. The Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler could be an alternative for a timed lawn sprinkler that is proven to spend

excess water than what is needed by the lawn.

 38

SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

This chapter dealt with the summary of the overall content of the study, and the

presentation of the conclusions generated from the findings obtained through various trials

and statistical tests. Moreover, the researchers’ recommendations about further

modifications and improvements possible in the study are included in this part.

Summary

This study generally dealt with the evaluation of the design, development, and

performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler. The sprinkler is designed to

automatically operate in designated soil moisture parameters through the incorporation of

a robotic interface in its system. To evaluate if the design fitted with the developed product,

testing was conducted to verify if the sprinkler will work with the set programs. In terms of

the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the specified parameters

being focused on were its elapsed time of water consumption and its amount of water

consumption.

To build the product, the major parts included were the Micro:bit, relay module with

an optocoupler, capacitive soil moisture sensor, solenoid valve, and a typical lawn

sprinkler. The sensor was utilized as the device for sending signals to the Micro:bit chip,

the brain of the device, for directing the flow of water in the sprinkler system. After the

hardware of the product is made, the product is tested to validate if it will work. It is found

that the sprinkler worked as the output desired by the researchers.

Afterward, the conduct of trials for the evaluation of the performance of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler are administered. To evaluate the performance of the

product, two tests were performed. The first test involved the measurement of the time

covered by the sprinkler in its single operation of maintaining the standard moisture level.

The average of the data collected after five trials were calculated to come up with the
 39

mean elapsed time of water application of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler.

Subsequently, the second test concerning the water consumption of the product was

administered. A timed lawn sprinkler is employed as the device used for the comparative

analysis. After five trials conducted simultaneously in the two sprinklers, a paired t-test

was conducted to determine if there is any significant difference in their amount of water

consumption.

After the consolidation of the data collected from the trials, statistical analysis and

interpretation is conducted. It is found that the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

covered a mean time of 12.7 min in its water application. When applied with a 95 percent

confidence interval, it is approximated that the true time value is in the range of 10.32 min

to 15.08 min. In terms of its water consumption, it is proven to be highly significant that

the product spent less amount of water than a timed lawn sprinkler, estimated to be within

the range of 165.277 L to 271.123 L.

Conclusion

Through the analysis and interpretation of the data collected from the study, certain

conclusions have been derived in adherence to the objectives of the study. In response to

the evaluation of the design and development of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler,

the diagrams made in terms of how the product will be made were applied to create the

developed product. The robotic sprinkler is tested to determine if the program and

hardware are designed and developed accurately. Later on, it is found that the Micro:bit

Automated Lawn Sprinkler can operate with the set robotic interface whenever the energy

coming from the power bank is sufficient enough.

In terms of the evaluation of the performance of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn

Sprinkler, statistical tests are employed to come up with the desired parameters. The

elapsed time of water application of the product is found to be in the range of 10.32 min

to 15.08 min, which is significantly less than the operating time of 20 min attributed to a
 40

timed lawn sprinkler. In a 33 square feet lawn portion, this suggested the time of a single

operation of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler to reach the standard moisture level

of 88 from an initial level of 70.

Moreover, in the comparative analysis performed between the product and a timed

lawn sprinkler, the paired t-test verified that the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler saved

water in the range of 165.277 L to 271.123 L, when compared to the water consumption

of the timed lawn sprinkler. This proved the claim that the product gave way to a more

sustainable and water-saving outdoor irrigation system.

Recommendations

Given the conclusion drawn from the results obtained in the study, the researchers

suggest various recommendations for the development of the research. Since the study

only involved doing trials to test the design and development of the Micro:bit Automated

Lawn Sprinkler, future researchers may develop the product and ask lawn owners to use

it for a specific duration. With that, the target beneficiaries of the study could have a chance

to try the device and make evaluations afterward.

Since the study focused only on a lawn to measure specified parameters of the

Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler, the researchers recommend testing the device on

other agricultural lands, such as in fields containing distinctive crops. With this, other

possible agricultural applications of the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler can be

studied, tested, and validated for probable practice. In such cases, it is expected that the

recorded elapsed time for application and amount of water consumption of the sprinkler

will have variations.

 41

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%20day.
 43

APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Data sheets

SOIL MOISTURE
SOIL MOISTURE MICRO:BIT
TRIAL LEVEL TESTER
LEVEL READING
READING

Low 2

Medium 2

High 2

AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMPTION (IN LITERS)

TRIAL
OF THE TIMED LAWN SPRINKLER

1A

2A

3A

4A

5A
 44

TRIAL AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMPTION ELAPSED TIME FOR

(IN LITERS) OF THE MICRO:BIT WATER APPLICATION
AUTOMATED LAWN SPRINKLER

1B

2B

3B

4B

5B
 45

Appendix 2. Letter request for the conduct of the study

Republic of the Philippines

CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY
College of Education
LABORATORYSCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL

May 2, 2022

DR. HERNANDO D. ROBLES

President
This University

Dear Dr. Robles:

Greetings.

In our desire to complete our study for CSRS 14 Research Capstone entitled DESIGN,
DEVELOPMENT, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF MICRO:BIT AUTOMATED
LAWN SPRINKLER in which a part of it needs to be conducted in school, we, the members
of Group 8 of 12-Matatag wish to ask permission from your good office to be allowed entry
to the university and be able to use the laboratories in the Science Department of the
College of Arts/Research Center/CAFENR for the conduct of the experiment. Our
experiments will be performed under the supervision of the laboratory personnel and our
Research Adviser Mr. Jowie G. Espaldon.

Attached herewith are the copies of the health requirements that would support our
request and proposed schedule of the data gathering. Please rest assured that we are
going to abide by all the policies of the university in the entire duration of our data gathering

Thank you very much in anticipation of your favorable response and kindest consideration.

Very truly yours,

MARGHERITA ANNE T. LOPEZ

Member, Group 8

ZAVIER ALAN C. RUFO

Member, Group 8

EARL CLARENCE S. SAN DIEGO

Member, Group 8
 46

Appendix 3. Timetable of activities

June 2021 February 2022 March 2022 April 2022 May 2022 June 2022

2nd Week

2nd Week

2nd Week

2nd Week

2nd Week

2nd Week
1st Week

3rd Week

3rd Week

3rd Week

3rd Week

3rd Week

3rd Week
4th Week

4th Week

4th Week

4th Week

4th Week

4th Week
1st Week

1st Week

1st Week

1st Week
1st Week
Title Proposal

Submission of
the first draft

Submission of
the second draft

Revision and
submission of
the proposal
manuscript

Oral
Consultation

Revision of the
manuscript for
the proposal
defense

Proposal
Defense

Submission of
the post-
defense
manuscript copy

Submission of
request letter for
the conduct of
the study

Conduct of the
Study

Statistical
analysis and
interpretation

Research final
defense/
presentation

Submission of
the completed
final manuscript
 47

APPENDIX TABLES

Appendix Table 1. Summary of the trials concerning the time consumed by the
Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler in its water application

ELAPSED TIME OF WATER APPLICATION OF THE

TRIAL
MICRO:BIT AUTOMATED LAWN SPRINKLER (min)

1 10.71

2 11.39

3 15.52

4 12.24

5 13.64

Mean 12.7

Appendix Table 2. Summary of the trials concerning the water consumption of

the timed lawn sprinkler and the Micro:bit Automated Lawn
Sprinkler

AMOUNT OF WATER CONSUMPTION (L)

TRIAL
MICRO:BIT AUTOMATED LAWN
TIMED LAWN SPRINKLER
SPRINKLER

1 503 269

2 573 326

3 649 504

4 563 345

5 776 529
 48

APPENDIX FIGURES

Appendix Figure 1. Program used in the Micro:bit Automated Lawn Sprinkler

Appendix Figure 2. Design of the casing and the components included

 49

Appendix Figure 3. Place where the study is conducted

Appendix Figure 4. Sample image on the conduct of trials for the timed lawn sprinkler
 50

Appendix Figure 5. Sample image on the conduct of trials for the Micro:bit Automated Lawn
Sprinkler