Moisture soil probe system
A moisture soil probe system includes a probe having a solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached around the outer circumference of the rod in close proximity to the soil being measured, covered by a waterproof coating. A wireless transmitter unit receives a precision GPS timing signal which is propagated to logic and control circuitry associated with each sensor for use in calculating a volumetric moisture content of the soil in proximity to the sensor. The calculated moisture content is transmitted back to the wireless control unit which further transmits the data to a central station.
1. A moisture soil probe system for measuring moisture content in soil, a probe comprising:
an elongated solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached along an outer surface of the rod, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine a moisture content of soil in proximity to each of the plurality of sensors; and
a wireless transmitter in communication with the plurality of sensors, the wireless transmitter operable to receive a GPS timing signal and to propagate a precise timing signal to each of the plurality of sensors.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises flex circuitry attached to micro circuit boards housing logic and control circuitry.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the flex circuitry comprises adjacent tabs, and wherein the adjacent tabs form the plates of a capacitive element of the logic and control circuitry.
4. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a coating covering substantially the entirety of the probe and encasing the plurality of sensors.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a cap attached to an upper end, the cap comprising internal threading allowing attachment of a slide hammer for installation and removal of the probe.
6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a battery pack in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter and/or the plurality of sensors.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the battery pack and wireless transmitter are magnetically coupled.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises oscillator circuitry and logic and control circuitry, and wherein the logic and control circuitry comprises a microprocessor programmed to:
count pulses generated by the oscillator circuitry over a predetermined period of time and determine the frequency of the oscillator therefrom;
calculate a volumetric moisture content based on the determined frequency; and
transmit the calculated volumetric moisture content to the wireless transmitter unit for access by a remote device.
9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the oscillator operates at a nominal frequency of approximately 200 MHz or greater.
10. A method for measuring moisture content in soil, comprising:
providing a probe comprising an elongated solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached along an outer surface of the rod, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine a moisture content of soil in proximity to each of the plurality of sensors;
inserting the probe into soil in which the moisture content is to be measured;
positioning a wireless transmitter in communication with the plurality of sensors, the wireless transmitter operable to receive a GPS timing signal and to propagate a precise timing signal to each of the plurality of sensors.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises flex circuitry attached to micro circuit boards housing logic and control circuitry.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the flex circuitry comprises adjacent tabs, and wherein the adjacent tabs form the plates of a capacitive element of the logic and control circuitry.
13. The system of claim 10 , further comprising a coating covering substantially the entirety of the probe and encasing the plurality of sensors.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the probe comprises a cap attached to an upper end, the cap comprising internal threading allowing attachment of a slide hammer for installation and removal of the probe.
15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising a battery pack in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter and/or the plurality of sensors.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the battery pack and wireless transmitter are magnetically coupled.
17. The method of claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises oscillator circuitry and logic and control circuitry, and wherein the logic and control circuitry comprises a microprocessor programmed to:
count pulses generated by the oscillator circuitry over a predetermined period of time and determine the frequency of the oscillator therefrom;
calculate a volumetric moisture content based on the determined frequency;
and
transmit the calculated volumetric moisture content to the wireless transmitter unit for access by a remote device.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the oscillator operates at a nominal frequency of approximately 200 MHz or greater.