Low-power wireless sensor network system for early diagnostic of subacute rumen acidosis in cows

High-yielding cow rations under intensive production conditions contribute to the development of subacute rumen acidosis (SARA), leading to pathologies such as rumenitis, laminitis, reproductive disorders, loss of productivity and reduced longevity. The aim of this work is to develop a reticulo-ruminal long-acting cyber-physical system for monitoring rumen parameters. Three scientific institutions in cooperation with two farmers conduct the research in order to create a prototype of a low-power wireless sensor network system for early diagnostic of subacute rumen acidosis of dairy cows. The new system architecture includes, reticulo-ruminal bolus with pH and temperature sensors, a microcontroller, a radio transmitter and a power supply module. The system includes a base station for data collection from boluses, an MQTT broker, a web server and a database. Data communication solution has been developed and tested in the laboratory, and micro-controllers have been selected and adapted for data processing. In addition, research is under way to create an autonomous long-term power supply system. Work shall be conducted in two directions: (a) stand-alone battery-powered electricity supply system; (b) an autonomous power supply system based on the generation of an electrostatic generator. The results of the initial stage of the research are discussed in this paper.