Water management on sports fields is a significant challenge. On one hand, the turf must be properly maintained, and on the other, water consumption and operational costs need to be minimized. The goal of this solution was to develop an automated irrigation system that controls irrigation based on actual needs, responds to weather conditions and soil moisture levels, and ensures high resource efficiency.
The system is based on ctrlX CORE, which serves as the central control unit. It continuously receives data from soil moisture sensors connected to the ctrlX I/O system. When the moisture in the soil falls below a predefined threshold, a scheduled irrigation plan is activated to water the field efficiently. Temperature sensors monitor the outdoor temperatures. If the temperatures are too low, the irrigation system is automatically stopped to avoid frost damage. The system also adjusts the amount of water based on high temperatures to optimize water usage and keep the turf in optimal condition.
The pump is controlled by a frequency converter and draws water from the well as long as the water level sensor in the well shows sufficient water levels. If the water level drops too low, the system automatically switches to mains water by opening a valve that accesses the external water supply.
An additional feature is the manual short irrigation program, allowing operators to activate the system before games or events. The system’s control and visualization are done through a user-friendly web interface with ctrlX HMI, which also integrates weather data. The system reads external weather forecasts to adjust irrigation and stop watering if rain is predicted.
Similar Use Cases:
Automated irrigation in greenhouses
Smart irrigation for public parks
Irrigation systems for agriculture and fields
Key Features
Easy programming and integration: The system allows for easy integration of soil moisture sensors and quick adjustments to the irrigation schedule, ensuring fast setup and low installation effort.
Weather data integration: The system uses weather APIs to receive real-time rain forecasts and adjust irrigation accordingly. If rain is predicted, the irrigation is automatically reduced or stopped, preventing unnecessary water use.
Web-based visualization: The ctrlX HMI web interface provides easy remote control and monitoring of the irrigation system. Operators can check current soil moisture levels, track weather data, and adjust the irrigation settings as needed.