In two previous posts, we explained how to display real-time data from multiple sensors on a webpage using Node-RED and how to display wireless sensor data on a webpage using Node-RED and Raspberry Pi. In those projects, sensors were connected to PC or Raspberry Pi using USB sensor adapters or wireless sensor nodes. We strongly recommend reading the posts, especially if you are into DIY and would like to have full control over your project.
In this article (application note), We're going to explain in detail how you can set up a wireless sensor network and collect wireless sensor data using DurUntash Lab wireless monitoring system. The main components of the system are the SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless application, ISHKUR gateway and wireless sensor nodes. The system has a wide range of features and allows for remote access to sensor data (if used with the G-IT model of the ISHKUR gateway) plotting real-time data, recording in 'CSV' format, generating reports and notifications, sending emails to the user, among others.
This system is great for professional growers who prefer a system that is all figured out, and can be reliably used for monitoring [soil or soilless media] moisture, EC, TDS, temperature, etc in a grow room, greenhouse, nursery, or orchard.
Set Up Wireless Sensor Network
The process of setting up a wireless sensor network using DurUntash Lab products, is as easy as placing your wireless sensor nodes in the field and turn them on. The ISHKUR gateway can automatically detect any active DurUntash Lab wireless sensor nodes. No configurations required and it can be operated out of the box with its default settings. This means you can have an up and running wireless sensor network (star topology) in minutes and start collecting data.
As long as the sensors are installed correctly and [we must emphasize] that is almost everything in a monitoring system, the rest is pretty straightforward. There are potential issues that may arise during or after installation such as interference and bugs. We can always work together to resolve these issues quickly. Communication is the key here, so please feel free to reach out with questions! In the following paragraphs, we have explained how you can setup and operate a private wireless sensor network that relies on the ISHKUR gateway and other DurUntash Lab products.
Required Hardware and Software
You can combine the ISHKUR gateway with DurUntash Lab wireless sensor nodes and DurUntash Lab sensors to set up a long range private wireless sensor network in star topology for your field, greenhouse or grow room. For this purpose, you will need at least one wireless sensor node and the SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless Windows application. We have two types of wireless sensor nodes: single-channel (ISHTAR 1P-LR) and 4-channel (SHINAK 4P-LR or SHINAK 4P-LRD). You may use a combination of single- and 4-channel wireless sensor nodes in your network.
As mentioned, you can setup your network with only one wireless sensor node (single- or 4-channel) and add more sensor nodes over time. The gateway automatically detects new wireless sensor nodes that are added to the network, have the correct configuration (gateway number) and are on. Every new node must be given a unique device number (between 0 and 255) and a gateway number (between 0 and 255). With s sensor measurement interval of 60 min, it is possible to have about 100 sensors in the same network. This is a safe number to avoid data loss, and theoretically more sensor channels can be supported. By increasing the sensor measurement intervals you will be able to increase the number of sensors.
The main limitation with the 4-channel sensor nodes is that all four sensors connected to their ports need to be installed in the vicinity of the node. Our sensors have three cable options (1.8 m, 3.3 m and 4.5 m) and longer cables can be helpful when used with 4-channel sensor node. We also carry sensor extension cables, but don't necessary recommend using them (using long wires defeats the purpose of using wireless sensor nodes). Wherever long cables used, you need to avoid running them in wet trays or anywhere that might increase the chance of getting damaged by your daily operations.
As an example, you can combine the following hardware and software to create a wireless substrate moisture monitoring system:
ISHKUR G-xx gateway
ISHTAR 1P-LR single-channel wireless sensor node
SHINAK 4P-LR 4-channel wireless sensor node
APAS T1 moisture sensors
SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless Windows application
Remote Access to Sensor Data (IoT-enabled Mode)
The ISHKUR gateway comes in two models of G-WF (basic) and G-IT (IoT-enabled). The ISHKUR G-WF sends data to a local computer over WiFi. The SHUSHAN CVI is a free software and your wireless sensor network will not incur any subscription fees if you're using the ISHKUR G-WF gateway. The ISHKUR G-IT, on the other hand, is IoT-enabled and connects your wireless monitoring system to the Internet (over WiFi). The ISHKUR G-IT aggregates and stores wireless sensor data in a cloud-based data storage.
You can use the SHUSHAN CVI to connect to the database and download historical data that are available and also monitor near real-time data as they become available. The ISHKUR G-IT comes with free three-month remote access to sensor data, which can be extended by purchasing additional data plans. Sensor data is also available through a REST API gateway for integrations into third-party or custom-designed platforms.
Please read this article if you are interested in remote access to your sensor data using a "satellite" IoT-enabled gateway.
Configuring Wireless Sensor Network
To set up your wireless monitoring system, you first need to configure your gateway and sensor nodes. The configuration becomes more important if you have several sensor nodes and are planning to setup more than one wireless sensor network in the same space. The configuration is carried out using the SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless application for Windows, so we strongly recommend that you download (Software > SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless) and install its latest version, and read its user manual before getting started with this section.
Please take the following steps to prepare your wireless sensor nodes and gateway:
Configure ISHKUR Gateway
Connect the antenna to your gateway. Note: do not turn your gateway on before connecting the antenna. Using the gateway without the external antenna can lead to damage of the device and is therefore not recommended.
Follow instructions provided here to connect to your gateway gateway over USB, use the provided micro-USB cable and powered USB hub. Note: connecting the gateway directly to your computer is not recommended.
Find gateway IP address (or assign a static IP address) and serial number by clicking on “Device Information” from the “Help” menu. Follow instructions provided here to configure your gateway with network settings (network SSID and password) and an appropriate working mode. If you have a stable Internet, we recommend that you choose the "Connected to WiFi" working mode. Otherwise, you can use the gateway as a USB device or WiFi hotspot. Note: If you have purchased the ISHKUR G-IT model and are interested in having remote access to your sensor data, choose the "IoT-enabled" working mode. The IoT-enabled mode allows for directly connecting to your gateway over WiFi.
Connect to your gateway over WiFi or USB, depending on the previous steps. To do so, click the "Connect" the corresponding button in the Main tab of the SHUSHAN CVI software.
Radio settings (SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless > Tools menu > Device Configuration Utility > Wireless tab). The default radio settings guarantee a range 1.2 mi (line of sight). We recommend that you keep these settings. In case, you decided to change the settings make sure to reconfigure your sensor nodes so they have the exact same settings.
The default gateway device number is "255". This number can be set to any number between 0 and 255. We recommend changing this number only if you have more than one gateway in your network. Please also note that all wireless sensor nodes must be given the same gateway device number. By default, all DurUntash wireless sensor nodes are programmed with number "255", which matches the default gateway device number. To change the number, go to the Tools menu, click on the Device Configurations Utility and navigate to the General Device Settings (Device Number).
Important Note: Sensor nodes are also programmed with a Device Number that is different than the gateway number in the "General Device Settings" tab. To configure your wireless sensor nodes with the same gateway number, you need to go to the "Wireless" tab (Gateway Number).
Configure Wireless Sensor Nodes
In case you’re not planning to use a solar charger or USB power bank with your sensor node, please fully charge your sensor nodes before deploying in the field. DurUntash 4-channel sensor nodes might require 60+ hours (more or less depending on their initial state) to fully recharge, and single-channel sensor nodes might need about 5 hours.
Turn the wireless node on, and connect it to computer.
Give each sensor node a unique device number (Tools menu > Device Configuration Utility > General Device Settings tab).
Configure your sensor node with the gateway number (Tools menu > Device Configuration Utility > Wireless tab). This number is used by the gateway to identify nodes that are sending data within the same wireless network.
Set sensor “measurement intervals” (Tools menu > Device Configuration Utility > General device settings). The default measurement interval is 15 min. Increasing the measurement interval will increase the battery life of your node. In most applications (moisture or EC monitoring), a measurement interval of 60 min is more than enough. The sampling interval in DurUntash dataloggers and wireless long range sensor nodes is 1/3 of logging interval. This means the reported value is the average of two sensor readings.
Radio settings (SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless > Tools menu > Device Configuration Utility > Wireless tab). The default radio settings guarantee a range 1.2 mi (line of sight). We recommend that you keep these settings. In case, you decided to change the settings make sure to reconfigure your gateway as well so it has the exact same settings.
Disconnect your node from computer and restart (turn off and on) before leaving it in the field as standalone datalogger or sensor node. The reset will ensure that the node will enter into a power saving mode.
Dry Threshold and Notifications
If your wireless sensor network is setup to monitor moisture (soil or soilless media), you can take advantage of a key feature of the SHUSHAN CVI-Wireless application. You may set a dry threshold (Tools menu > Settings > Notifications) and enable notifications and emailing. The software will automatically compare real-time sensor readings with this threshold and generate notifications/alerts. You will receive an aggregated report via email at the specified time of day.
Considerations
Initial Delay after Connecting to the Gateway
All wireless sensor nodes come with a default logging interval of 15 min. This means they send sensor data to the gateway only once every 15 minutes. After connecting to the gateway using the SHUSHAN CVI application, please allow the system to work for some time (> logging interval) and collect some sensor data. The first data may arrive as late as the logging interval or more if there are any data packet losses. Incoming sensor data will automatically populate corresponding boxes in the main tab area and will be plotted in the Charts tab.
WiFi Connection
The gateway gives the user about 60 s to connect over USB every time it is turned on. If no USB connection is present, the gateway enters the operating mode that is saved in its memory.
In the “Connect to WiFi” mode, the gateway connects to WiFi and also allows for communication over USB.
If the WiFi connection is lost, the gateway automatically tries to reconnect. The same effort starts on the SHUSHAN CVI software if there hasn't been a response from the gateway in 25 s.
Alternative to SHUSHAN CVI
Considering the fact that the ISHKUR gateway has a transparent communication protocol, you can use the wireless network with your own software. As explained in my other posts, an alternative to using the SHUSHAN application is Node-RED, which requires additional work (mostly programming) by the user and I have a few blog posts about it.
Compatibility with PLC-based Control & Monitoring Systems
Can we combine DurUntash long range wireless sensor nodes with a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) based monitoring system? The answer is yes. The architecture of our wireless monitoring system allows for easy communication with some commercial PLCs (e.g. Opto 22). You can access sensor data from the wireless network using UDP messaging and parse using Node-RED. If your control and monitoring system relies on a PLC, you'll be able to plug the wireless monitoring system into it and access sensor data just by doing some additional programming.
Power Considerations
The wireless sensor nodes come with small embedded rechargeable batteries that last for months. 4-channel sensor nodes have larger battery packs that can power the unit up to a year. Single-channel sensor nodes, on the other hand, might need to be recharged after 3-4 months of working. To extend the battery life you can connect external source of power such as standard USB power bank or solar charger to your nodes. We have tested Renogy products (example from Amazon) and they work great with our sensor nodes. They’re also very affordable.
Network Range
The range of the wireless sensor network is greatly affected by the installation height and obstacles (walls, plants, etc). As a simple rule, install both the sensor nodes and gateway higher than your plants and in each other's line of sight. Try to minimize any form of obstacles. We recommend that you go as high as you can with the gateway, and make sure the gateway is installed higher than all sensor nodes. The gateway [in WiFi mode] can as far as 100 m from your computer. Depending on obstacles, the range might be more or less, but it should provide some flexibility in terms of installation.
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