Project: IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs)

1. Project: IEEE P802.15 Working Group for Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs) Submission Title:[Soil Monitoring Application] Date Submitted: [May 2010] Source:[Peter Ellegaard] Company [AquaSpy, Inc.] Address [Santa Ana, CA USA] Voice:[+1 714 966 1975], FAX:[], E-Mail [pellegaard@aquaspy.com], Web [http://www.aquaspy.com] Abstract: [This presentation describes a potential application for LECIM] Purpose: [For information] Notice: This document has been prepared to assist the IEEE P802.15. It is offered as a basis for discussion and is not binding on the contributing individual(s) or organization(s). The material in this document is subject to change in form and content after further study. The contributor(s) reserve(s) the right to add, amend or withdraw material contained herein. Release: The contributor acknowledges and accepts that this contribution becomes the property of IEEE and may be made publicly available by P802.15. Peter Ellegaard

2. Summary • Motivation • Ability to create low operational cost soil moisture sensors where low volume data is transmitted several times a day. • Objective • Reliable low energy, low data rate communication up to 20 miles • Fault tolerant communication that re-engages in case of a break-down • Ability to overcome bio-mass obstructions Peter Ellegaard

3. Opportunity • 75% of fresh water in US is used to irrigate farmland. • Water tables are dropping fast and water conservation is becoming necessary • By knowing the moisture level in the soil the grower can optimize irrigations, lower pumping cost and increase yield • Data is very dynamic and need to be made available with short intervals.

4. Application challenges • Sensors need to be installed in the soil once the crop is planted and removed at the end of the season • The solar power and antenna need to extend above the bio mass • Farmland may or may not have cellular connectivity Peter Ellegaard

5. About Irrigation • Knowledge of moisture levels at different soil depths will tell greatly assist the grower Peter Ellegaard

6. Currently used monitoring technologies (in order of current deployment volume) • Cellular communication • Advantage: reliable service • Disadvantage: medium high cost, continued operational cost, need to support multiple protocols to achieve necessary coverage • 900 MHz FHSS • Advantage: reasonable range in open air especially in mesh configuration • Disadvantage: medium cost, not approved for use worldwide, requires significant configuration, limited peer quantity • Satellite communication • Advantage: ubiquitous coverage • Disadvantage: expensive even at low data volumes, service levels relatively low Peter Ellegaard

7. Application requirements • Real Time Seamless Monitoring • Good coverage – 10 miles or better • Low infrastructure cost • Low operational cost • Ability to install node inside measurement probe. Same node used worldwide to ensure single product design • Low power consumption • Access point connected to wired or wireless internet connection • Very high up-times with self recovery in case of break downs. No technical staff nearby.

8. Conclusions • Soil monitoring part of LECIM • Substantial commercial opportunity with great ecological benefits • Need a good low cost solution for world wide deployment • Need a standard Peter Ellegaard