Plant Doctor: Batteryless Backscatter Radio Sensors for Plants and Agriculture

Team: Tyler Dalpe^UG, Ryan Sukhai^UG, Taha Touil^UG

Advisors: Aggelos Bletsas and Richard Howard

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Project Description & Goals:
The project focuses on very precise measurement of changes in plant temperature in the order of 0.01 degrees Celsius, the highest resolution sensor devised. The goal of the project is to be able to measure changes in temperature of one plant while another is being stressed in order to study plant communication. The temperature sensor should be able to expand multiple leaves of the plant, with the possibility of wireless technology being implemented to track data.

Technologies: MSP430, Raspberry Pi, Electrical Lab Equipment (Power Supply, Function Generator, etc.)

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Week 1:

Slides: ​Weekly Presentation

Progress: Familiarizing ourselves with the technology we will be using and reading current literature pertaining to backscatter radio and sensors -

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Week 2:

Slides:​Weekly Presentation

Progress: Worked on 3 different microncontroller projects to learn how to use the MSP430, focusing on blinking lights, analog-digital conversion, and UART communication.

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Week 3:

Slides: ​Weekly Presentation

Progress: Worked on a fourth programming assignment (Interrupts), created manuals for the hardware, and started automating the water pumping system designed to stress the plant. - - -

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Week 4: