Information-measurement system for the study of a soil galvanic element

Abstract

An information-measurement system based on the Arduino platform has been developed for conducting experimental studies on a soil galvanic element (SGE). It is designed for the development of energy harvesters—power sources for wireless underground soil climate sensors. The experimental information-measurement system is built using an Arduino Uno microcontroller unit and additional equipment with the aim of investigating the dependence of the output electrical characteristics of the SGE on time-varying physical quantities: temperature and moisture of various soil types. An electronic circuit has been designed, comprising: a Cu–Zn galvanic pair, a load resistor, an LM393 soil moisture sensor, and a DS18B20 temperature sensor. The information-measurement system enables dynamic measurement of voltage, current, and calculation of the SGE's internal resistance. The obtained results can be used in the development of autonomous environmental and soil climate monitoring systems to enhance the efficiency of irrigation management and soil fertility systems in agriculture.