Specifications

The above mentioned approaches are in practice all around the world. For ground-based

systems, using wireless data links is becoming the norm for remote data collection sites.

Cost and installation time concerns drive the d eviation from wired-based communications.

The complexity added by introducing wireless into standing systems, coupled with the need

for potentially adding thousands of network nodes, is quickly pushing current technologies

and methodologies to their limit. The market currently oﬀers no solution that addresses the

challenges associated with large network management and simplifying the implementation

of a scalable, highly spatial measurement sy s tem.

1.3 Desired Equipment Features

Considering the challenges with current approaches to large scale subsurface soil ch ar-

acterization, Acclima Inc. and investor Aquarius Brands decided to probe whether there

would be a need or desire for new instrumentation. They approached produce farmers from

California and Washington and soil and agricultural researchers at Utah State University

and Boise State University. They received encouraging feedback and proceeded to ask w hat

device properties and characteristics they thought lacked in s ome of the currently available

equipment. Acclima then proceeded to present proposals for a new device that would satisfy

these needs.

The results f rom this informal poll illustrated that these two interest groups are looking

for a rugged, simple to use, power-eﬃcient logger that has a built-in intelligent wireless

option. Naturally, they also did not want to pay thousands for one logger because the nature

of their work or research incorporates tens to hundreds of these devices. The following are

key requirements assembled from these discussions.

• Simple to Use - targeted toward producers, not en gineers

• Low Power - able to run on inexpensive batteries for at least one growing season

(i.e., about six to eight months of operation)

• Low Cost - a distributed system with a per-node cost of $800 or less is acceptable