Network Connectivity and Sensor Response of an OpenThread WSN Platform for Crop Monitoring

Wireless sensor networks can be a low-cost and efficient solution for monitoring environmental parameters in agriculture. In this work, we analyze the potentialities of using a network based on a general-purpose Internet of Things protocol such as OpenThread and on low-cost general-purpose physical and chemical sensors. This article aims to test and verify the platform functionalities when monitoring environmental parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, and visible and infrared irradiance in a real environment. We designed wireless sensor nodes and a data collection and visualization dashboard. We tested the sensors' response under controlled settings, conducted connectivity and network topology tests, validated the system functionality via in-field measurements, and discussed the main issues and potential capabilities of these sensors and network architecture.