You can get detailed, live soil data with this combined soil temperature and moisture sensor. Its probes work like a high-capacity sensor, sending a lot of data for seven different metrics. It's one tool to help you understand what your plants need to grow well. Features and Benefits
- Full Soil Analysis - It reads pH, NPK, EC, temperature, moisture, and humidity all at once.
- Corrosion-Resistant Probes - The 316 stainless steel probes won't rust or break down in the soil. This keeps readings accurate over time.
- Quick Data for Smart Systems - The RS485 Modbus output gives you information right away. It's good for connecting with automated watering and fertilizing systems.
- Wide Operating Range - It works in temperatures from -40°C to 80°C. This means you can use this soil sensor in most climates. Applications
- Commercial Landscaping - Check soil conditions over large areas. This helps you keep lawns and decorative gardens healthy efficiently.
- Scientific Research - Gather steady and correct soil data. Use it for environmental studies, soil science, or plant growing experiments.
- Precise Irrigation - Use the soil moisture and temperature sensor to control watering. Apply water only when and where it's needed.
Core Technologies & How They Work
This Optic Agriculture Sensor, designed for precision NPK and temperature measurement, utilises advanced fibre optic principles to provide accurate readings for agriculture soil testing. Fibre optic sensors work by transmitting light through a fibre cable and detecting changes in the light's properties as it interacts with the surrounding environment. These changes, such as intensity, phase, or wavelength, are then correlated with the specific measurement parameters like moisture, temperature, humidity, EC, pH, and NPK. The sensor's high precision is achieved through these optical techniques, offering reliable data for soil analysis.
Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG)
While not explicitly stated as a technology within this specific Optic Agriculture Sensor, Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) is a common method for fibre optic temperature sensors. FBG sensors operate by inscribing a periodic change in the refractive index within the core of an optical fibre. When broadband light passes through this grating, a specific wavelength of light is reflected, while others are transmitted. Changes in temperature cause the grating's period to expand or contract, shifting the reflected wavelength. By monitoring this wavelength shift, precise temperature measurements can be obtained. This method contributes to how fibre optic temperature sensors work with high accuracy.
Fluorescence (Phosphor Decay)
Fluorescence, specifically phosphor decay, is another established technique in fibre optic sensing, particularly for temperature measurement. In this approach, a phosphor material is excited by a light pulse through a fibre cable. The phosphor then emits light (fluoresces) at a different wavelength, and the decay time of this fluorescence is highly dependent on temperature. The Optic Agriculture Sensor, with its temperature measurement capability, may incorporate such principles. The emitted light travels back through the fibre to a detector, and the decay time is analysed to determine the precise temperature, contributing to the sensor's high precision.
Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS)
Distributed Temperature Sensing (DTS) is a technique that allows for continuous temperature profiling along the entire length of a fibre cable. This method typically uses Raman scattering, where a laser pulse is sent down the fibre, and a small portion of the light is scattered back. The intensity ratio of Stokes and anti-Stokes Raman scattering is temperature-dependent. Although this Optic Agriculture Sensor has a fixed 2m cable length and likely provides point measurements, the principles of how fibre optic temperature sensors work often include DTS for larger-scale applications. It provides detailed temperature information over distances, which is a key advantage of fibre optic temperature sensing.
GaAs (Gallium Arsenide) Bandgap
Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) bandgap technology is a method used in some fibre optic sensors, particularly for temperature measurement due to its semiconductor properties. The bandgap energy of GaAs is temperature-dependent, meaning its light absorption characteristics change with temperature. A light source sends light through a fibre cable to a GaAs crystal, and the amount of light transmitted through or reflected from the crystal is then measured. As the temperature changes, the crystal's absorption spectrum shifts, altering the detected light signal. This allows for accurate temperature readings, contributing to the high precision often associated with fibre optic temperature sensors like this Optic Agriculture Sensor.
Material: Plastic. Power Supply: 12-24V DC. Measurement Parameters: Moisture, Temperature, Humidity, EC, pH, NPK. Application: Agriculture Soil Testing. Cable Length: 2m. Operating Temperature: -20°C to 60°C. Output Signal: 4-20mA, 0-5V, RS485 Modbus. Precision: High. Sensor Type: Current Sensor. Dimensions (Sensor Head): 120 mm x 30 mm. Weight: 350 grams. Material: Polymer. Probe Material: Stainless Steel 316L. Humidity Resolution: 0.1% RH. Operating Humidity: 0-95% RH (non-condensing). Temperature Resolution: 0.1°C. Baud Rate: 9600 bps. Calibration: Factory Calibrated, User Recalibratable. Communication Protocol: Modbus RTU. EC Resolution: 0.01 dS/m. Installation Method: Buried or Inserted. Moisture Resolution: 0.1% VWC. NPK Resolution: 1 mg/kg. pH Resolution: 0.01 pH. Product Name: 7 in 1 Soil Sensor Moisture Temperature Humidity EC pH NPK 4-20mA 0-5V RS485 Modbus High Precision Agriculture Soil Tester. Response Time: < 1 second. Sensor Type: Fibre Optic Sensor. Theory: Current Sensor. Q: What kind of output signals can I get from this device? A: It's quite flexible, offering three output options. You can use 4-20mA, 0-5V, or RS485 Modbus, which makes it compatible with most industrial PLCs and data logging systems.. Q: How accurate are the pH and NPK measurements? A: The pH measurement range is 3-9pH with an accuracy of ±0.3pH. For NPK, the range is 0-1999 mg/kg with a measurement accuracy of ±2%, so it's suitable for precision agriculture.. Q: How does this device compare to a fibre optic sensor for monitoring soil? A: This unit uses direct-contact electrodes to measure seven chemical and physical properties of the soil. A fibre optic sensor works differently, typically measuring temperature or physical strain, so they are used for different kinds of data collection.. Q: What's the process for connecting this to my system with the RS485 output? A: You'll connect the sensor's A and B lines to your RS485 converter or data logger. The device follows the standard Modbus RTU protocol, and we provide the communication protocol details to help you integrate it.. Q: What is the power supply needed to run this sensor? A: The sensor needs a DC power supply between 9 and 24 volts. This low power consumption makes it suitable for remote or off-grid installations..