An automatic thermal control for a greenhouse using network remote control system

Abstract

For the purpose of integrating the value of agriculture and lowering the cost of production expenses, a modern farming industry equipped with a remote automatic controlling system via the internet and a web camera is proposed in this study. In this study, the image of a plant will be forwarded to a server using a USB and a Web Cam. That image will be transported to a client using a TCP/IP protocol. Additionally, the green house will be equipped with a thermal detector, a water-spraying unit, a fan, a heating unit and a sunlight-proof unit. The control center will send the command to these units via RS232/RS485 protocol to engage them. The control system will also automatically detect current temperature in the greenhouse. The appropriate service, including sunlight-proof, ventilation and water-spraying, will be performed when the temperature has risen appropriately. The heating unit will also be actuated when the temperature in the greenhouse has fallen. The status of the green house shown on the server will be forwarded to the client via a TCP/IP protocol. The system mentioned above will be used to develop a remote monitoring interface via a TCP/IP protocol. Results reveal that the temperature for a greenhouse can be controlled online at the specified range of temperature using various heating/cooling strategies. Besides, the user will be able to monitor the plant online without going on site. Consequently, the expenses of the plant's production will be effectively lowered while the quality of plant will be greatly improved. © 2010 Asian Network for Scientific Information.