Smart horticulture solution has sensor nodes, IoT gateway, cloud access and mobile applications

Arrow Electronics has introduced a smart horticulture solution. It is based on an evaluation kit said to contain all the hardware and software needed to evaluate and implement a complete indoor horticulture solution.

According to Markets and Markets, “the overall horticulture lighting market is expected to grow from US$2.43 billion (€2.24 billion) in 2018 to $6.21 billion (€5.73 billion) by 2023” *. Without the advancement of smart horticulture practices in greenhouses and vertical farming enterprises, the retail and domestic growers will not be able to maximise crop yields and shorten growing time by optimising environmental conditions. In addition, these industries will miss out on the energy and water-saving opportunities that enhance sustainability.

End users often struggle to combine sensors, actuators, wireless communications, LED lighting control and mobile applications to gather the right data, analyse it quickly, generate the appropriate response, and act upon it. Even those who are technologically proficient to implement a system, find that existing product offerings make it challenging to deploy a scalable, low-power, reliable system, cost effectively and securely. With the Arrow horticultural evaluation kit, these problems have been solved, allowing customers to get to market more quickly.

Through collaboration with Analog Devices, Silicon Labs, Osram, Amphenol and Arrow’s engineering capabilities, all sensing, power, signal conditioning, lighting control, and wireless communication challenges have been pre-solved, allowing for quicker time to market.

The horticultural solution includes a soil-monitor node using leading edge technologies from Analog Devices, which include power and analogue solutions to create a highly accurate measurement of the soil’s pH and moisture level to maximise crop yield. Also integrated is an Internet of Things (IoT) gateway based on a Qualcomm 96Boards platform and LED node featuring the ability to control the colour, UV spectrum and intensity of a custom light engine.

Custom control of the soil and LED nodes is accomplished through the IoT Gateway with the implementation of pre-certified ZigBee modules from Silicon Labs. iOS and Android based mobile applications are available for configuration and control of the Soil and LED nodes as well. Lastly, the design files of a light engine containing Osram OSLON Square high-power LEDs can be provided for further customisation.

 “Arrow has taken advantage of its unique position, not only to bring together influential component and module suppliers but also to engineer hardware and software optimally to meet the needs of this expanding market,” says Aiden Mitchell, IoT global vice president at Arrow Electronics. “By reducing the risks of developing smart horticulture solutions, we are helping technology businesses develop new opportunities and contribute to supporting the world’s growing population sustainably.”

Comment on this article below or via Twitter: @IoTNow_OR @jcIoTnow

RECENT ARTICLES

Semtech enhances global connectivity with NTN support in HL78 modules

Posted on: March 29, 2024

Semtech Corporation has announced the integration of non-terrestrial network (NTN) support into its HL series LPWA modules, specifically the HL7810 and HL7812. This significant advancement showcases a leap forward in enabling uninterrupted global connectivity even amidst the most challenging conditions.

Read more

Enhance EV charging performance with cellular connectivity

Posted on: March 28, 2024

Electric vehicles (EVs) are steadily growing their market share at the expense of internal combustion engine vehicles. The growth is fuelled by several factors. Perhaps most importantly, prices for EVs have started to drop as competition in the industry is intensifying. New players and models are emerging, prompting several established EV makers to lower their

Read more
FEATURED IoT STORIES

What is IoT? A Beginner’s Guide

Posted on: April 5, 2023

What is IoT? IoT, or the Internet of Things, refers to the connection of everyday objects, or “things,” to the internet, allowing them to collect, transmit, and share data. This interconnected network of devices transforms previously “dumb” objects, such as toasters or security cameras, into smart devices that can interact with each other and their

Read more

The IoT Adoption Boom – Everything You Need to Know

Posted on: September 28, 2022

In an age when we seem to go through technology boom after technology boom, it’s hard to imagine one sticking out. However, IoT adoption, or the Internet of Things adoption, is leading the charge to dominate the next decade’s discussion around business IT. Below, we’ll discuss the current boom, what’s driving it, where it’s going,

Read more

9 IoT applications that will change everything

Posted on: September 1, 2021

Whether you are a future-minded CEO, tech-driven CEO or IT leader, you’ve come across the term IoT before. It’s often used alongside superlatives regarding how it will revolutionize the way you work, play, and live. But is it just another buzzword, or is it the as-promised technological holy grail? The truth is that Internet of

Read more

Which IoT Platform 2021? IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide

Posted on: August 30, 2021

There are several different parts in a complete IoT solution, all of which must work together to get the result needed, write IoT Now Enterprise Buyers’ Guide – Which IoT Platform 2021? authors Robin Duke-Woolley, the CEO and Bill Ingle, a senior analyst, at Beecham Research. Figure 1 shows these parts and, although not all

Read more

CAT-M1 vs NB-IoT – examining the real differences

Posted on: June 21, 2021

As industry players look to provide the next generation of IoT connectivity, two different standards have emerged under release 13 of 3GPP – CAT-M1 and NB-IoT.

Read more

IoT and home automation: What does the future hold?

Posted on: June 10, 2020

Once a dream, home automation using iot is slowly but steadily becoming a part of daily lives around the world. In fact, it is believed that the global market for smart home automation will reach $40 billion by 2020.

Read more

5 challenges still facing the Internet of Things

Posted on: June 3, 2020

The Internet of Things (IoT) has quickly become a huge part of how people live, communicate and do business. All around the world, web-enabled devices are turning our world into a more switched-on place to live.

Read more