Projects
Examples of Our Projects
Turf – Irrigation Monitoring and Control.
MAC Systems integrated the monitoring of soil moisture on a number of sports fields, combined with the management of their existing irrigation control systems.
The aim of the project was to increase the irrigation efficiency whilst improving turf quality through a number of strategically positioned soil moisture monitoring sites on the Councils main sports fields. After conducting an irrigation system audit, which included sprinkler uniformity tests, soil moisture probes were installed at representative sites on the ovals. Having an existing Lorawan radio network covering the Council areas, the data from the soil moisture probes was recorded and transmitted via Lorawan.
The DN200 4G telemetry boards were connected to their existing irrigation controller sites. Using our plugin relay modules that were wired to the irrigation controller, we were able to link the soil moisture data to the run state of the irrigation controllers. The soil moisture data provided information on optimum moisture ranges within the root zone of the turf. From the data, we established the upper and lower moisture level setpoints for each oval. The upper and lower moisture setpoints were then used to enable or disable the scheduled irrigations in each irrigation controller. The irrigation controllers were programmed with their normal schedules. In simple terms, if the moisture level was above the refill line, the schedule was automatically disabled. When the moisture level dropped below the refill level, the next scheduled irrigation was enabled. If the moisture had not reached the full level following the irrigation, the next irrigation schedule would be enabled. If the moisture level reached the full point, irrigation schedules were disabled until the moisture dropped below the refill level again. Using the data collected, combined with field inspections, the moisture level setpoints and irrigation durations were fine tuned.
The aim was to improve the turf quality whilst reducing water usage. Applying irrigation when required rather than simply applying irrigation on a calendar basis. There is also a labour saving component.
Gate and door position monitoring.
For gates and doors at locations where the monitoring of the gate or door positions is required for either security of management reasons, we have put together a simple system that will provide remote status of the gates and doors as to whether they are open or closed.
These are often used for more remote locations or on work sheds where you need to ensure that the gates or doors are closed at the end of the day, what time of the day they were opened, the period of time they were open and if they are opened in the middle of the night. For locations where security is a high priority, the gate and door position monitoring can be used in conjunction with security cameras.
We have designed the mounting brackets and position of mounting to avoid the problem of “chattering”, which can occur if sensors are fitted between two gates, in the middle or at the end of the gate where it is secured due to the movement of the gate or gates in windy conditions. Communication options for this solution are NBiOT, LoraWAN or WiFi where there is a WiFi network available.
AgTech Farms of the Future
MAC Systems are proud to have been accepted as an AgTech Program Partner for Farms of the Future. For details about the project, regions that the program covers and how to apply, please click on the link below.
Participants must register and complete a training session. The course is a pre-requisite to apply for a Farms of the Future Grant that is being offered to eligible primary producers in January 2023. Please click on the link below