Specifications

1
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter contains a brief introd uction to the rationale and design behind the devel-
opment of the Acclima DataManager. Supporting background in wireless data acquisition,
along with a discussion of current issues existing in agriculture and environmental moni-
toring is also presented. The Acclima DataManager aims to resolve these issues presented
and provide a low-power cost-effective platform to further intelligent resource management
and control.
1.1 Background
In the agricultural and environmental work of today, critical biological and physical
processes are monitored and recorded using sophisticated measuring equipment. Common
measurements referred to by these interest groups include, but are not limited to, s oil
water content, soil and air temperature, relative humidity, soil CO
2
, soil O
2
, soil pH, soil
electrical conductivity, and rain water. Of these characterizations, subsurface processes
have traditionally been more elusive to observe. The corrosive nature of soil and its varying
properties of composition have made it difficult to feasible obtain accurate measurements
(less than fi ve percent) of any properties in this m ed ium for years and one location. Some
in these fields have also been interested in long term acquisition of soil characteristics for
the purpose of closed-loop management of property and conservation of natural resources.
Acclima Incorporated is an irrigation control company that specializes in precise water
management. One of Acclima’s market interests includes agricultural and environmental
research markets. Therefore, Acclima undertook to fund a large portion of this work.
Another key contributer was Aquarius Brands. Large-scale agricultural producers have
expressed to Acclima and Aquarius Brands the desire to not only have automatic equipment