Design and Fabrication of an Automated Mini Portable Sprinkler System

Abstract

This research addresses critical limitations in Pakistan's agricultural sector, where irrigation is essential to sustain productivity for major crops like wheat, cotton, sugarcane, and rice. Current irrigation systems are often inefficient, lack automation, fail to accurately gauge adequate water application, and require significant user input, manual operation, and technical expertise. To overcome these challenges, a novel automated and portable pivotal sprinkler irrigation system is presented. The system's core is controlled by an Arduino Nano microcontroller, enabling fully automated operation. A key feature is the integration of a Bluetooth module, allowing a user to wirelessly control the system's movement right, left, forward, and backward-via a mobile device, effectively eliminating the need for complex, manual water supply connections. The water application depth is made adjustable through interchangeable sprinkler nozzles. Designed to be portable and easily managed, the framework features a fixed central point and a long rotating arm that pivots with the assistance of a sham wheel. This work successfully develops a compact and automated center-pivot system, proving the concept using Arduino Nano. Beyond new installations, the customizable design of this automated system offers a viable solution to upgrade and retrofit existing spraying, drip, and traditional sprinkler irrigation machinery, enhancing efficiency and resolving existing operational constraints across diverse field environments.