Wireless Temperature Monitoring for Agriculture
Abstract
This thesis focuses on the development a circuit board-based data processing unit with NFC and Bluetooth communication, aimed at advancing animal welfare in agriculture. The primary goal of this system is to retrieve temperature data from an external device and subsequently communicate this information via Bluetooth to monitor the health of sheep.
The system designed in this project serves as a proof of concept. where the final design is intended to fit inside an ear tag already used on sheep. This integration aims to minimize any impact on the sheep, thereby preserving their welfare.
To achieve this objective, comprehensive research was conducted into component selection, circuit layout optimization, and signal integrity considerations. The methodology involved prototyping and rigorous testing to validate the design. Key aspects of the design included strategic component placement to minimize interference, efficient routing for signal integrity, and the implementation of power-saving measures.
While successful pairing and communication were achieved between the NFC module and other NFC devices, a significant limitation was identified: the microcontroller chosen for this project could only function as a tag reader and not as an active NFC device. Consequently, the system was intended to receive and forward temperature data. Despite this limitation, the project demonstrates the feasibility of integrating such systems into agricultural practices, providing valuable insights for future development. This work underscores the potential for advanced monitoring systems to enhance animal welfare in agriculture, paving the way for future innovations.