Utilization of LED Grow Lights for Optical Wireless Communication-Based RF-Free Smart-Farming System

Abstract

Indoor smart-farming based on artificial grow lights has gained attention in the past few years. In modern agricultural technology, the growth status is generally monitored and controlled by radio-frequency communication networks. However, it is reported that the radio frequency (RF) could negatively impact the growth rate and the health condition of the vegetables. This work proposes an energy-efficient solution replacing or augmenting the current RF system by utilizing light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the grow lights and adopting visible light communications and optical camera communication for the smart-farming systems. In particular, in the proposed system, communication data is modulated via a 24% additional green grow LED light that is also known to be beneficial for the growth of the vegetables. Optical cameras capture the modulated green light reflected from the vegetables for the uplink connection. A combination of white ceiling LEDs and photodetectors provides the downlink, enabling an RF-free communication network as a whole. In the proposed architecture, the smart-farming units are modularized, leading to flexible mobility. Following theoretical analysis and simulations, a proof-of-concept demonstration presents the feasibility of the proposed architecture by successfully demonstrating the maximum data rates of 840 b/s (uplink) and 20 Mb/s (downlink).

A Top-Down Survey on Optical Wireless Communications for the Internet of Things

“…Indeed, combining the two opens up a new perspective on OWC research that has not yet been fully explored. To the best of our knowledge, OWC-IoTT-based smart farming has been only considered in [51], [52], and [53]. In [51], Javed et al exploit VLC and OCC technology to create a smart farm where white ceiling LEDs provide both downlink signaling and grow lights needed for photosynthesis, while optical cameras capture the modulated green light reflected by the vegetables in the uplink.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, OWC-IoTT-based smart farming has been only considered in [51], [52], and [53]. In [51], Javed et al exploit VLC and OCC technology to create a smart farm where white ceiling LEDs provide both downlink signaling and grow lights needed for photosynthesis, while optical cameras capture the modulated green light reflected by the vegetables in the uplink. Although the authors demonstrate a very appealing and complete OWC-IoTT system that integrates VLC and OCC technologies in an indoor smart farming scenario, they do not harness the true potential of LEDs and cameras by reaping the aforementioned benefits.…”

A Top-Down Survey on Optical Wireless Communications for the Internet of Things

“…Indeed, combining the two opens up a new perspective on OWC research that has not yet been fully explored. To the best of our knowledge, OWC-IoTT-based smart farming has been only considered in [37], [38], and [39]. In [37], Javed et al exploit VLC and OCC technology to create a smart farm where white ceiling LEDs provide both downlink signaling and grow lights needed for photosynthesis, while optical cameras capture the modulated green light reflected by the vegetables in the uplink.…”

“…To the best of our knowledge, OWC-IoTT-based smart farming has been only considered in [37], [38], and [39]. In [37], Javed et al exploit VLC and OCC technology to create a smart farm where white ceiling LEDs provide both downlink signaling and grow lights needed for photosynthesis, while optical cameras capture the modulated green light reflected by the vegetables in the uplink. Although the authors demonstrate a very appealing and complete OWC-IoTT system that integrates VLC and OCC technologies in an indoor smart farming scenario, they do not harness the true potential of LEDs and cameras by reaping the aforementioned benefits.…”