Drone-Based Data Collection for Precision Agriculture Applications

Precision agriculture uses advanced technology to enhance farming methods and increase productivity. This study presents an innovative drone-based system integrated with a connected sensor network to autonomously collect data from low-power, wireless underground sensor nodes that monitor essential soil parameters. The system utilizes a drone equipped with an Xbee communication module to gather and store data on an onboard SD card for further analysis. Field tests demonstrated stable flight performance and reliable data transmission over distances up to 100 meters, with the drone maintaining an average speed of 5 meters per second. Sensor nodes were strategically deployed to ensure complete data coverage across the agricultural field. Optimized flight trajectories allowed the drone to cover up to 4500 meters in a 15-minute flight, which effectively monitors areas up to 40,000 square meters (4 hectares) per flight. Power consumption analysis indicated that the drone operates at approximately 100 watts per flight, while sensor nodes consume 0.1 watts due to their energy-efficient sleep mode. The integration of IoT technology in this drone-based system highlights its effectiveness for precision agriculture. This approach provides an autonomous, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution for data collection that enhances agricultural monitoring and management.