Comparing apples to pears: Sensoterra the all-in-one solution for soil moisture monitoring
Sensoterra soil moisture sensors are in a class of their own. Not E.C. probes, not tensiometers, but an all-in-one solution for reliable precision soil moisture data, that’s calibrated by soil type, and made available at your fingertips.
Global LoRaWAN frequencies
The LoRaWAN definition has different parameters for different regions. The main parameter is different frequencies. This is something technical, and of course the frequencies in other parts of the world should be respected.
Sensoterra sensors support the following global frequencies out-of-the-box:
- EU868 (Europe, UK, Middle East)
- US915 (USA and Canada, parts of South America)
- AU915 (Australia and some countries in Asia)
- AS923 (Asia and Australia)IN865 (India)
- Other regional parameters on request (Japan, China, South-Korea)
Certifications
For international use of RX/TX equipment, strict certification is necessary. Sensoterra sensors comply to the following certifications:
- GDPR
- CE (Europe)
- FCC (US/Canada)
- ACMA (Australia)
Besides these certifications, we already have clearance to be used in many countries, which rely on the above certifications.
Data security
Sensoterra uses ‘elastic’ Cloud hosting services, which scale with the demand/load. The servers are located in Amsterdam and Frankfurt. The following data security applies on the Sensoterra Cloud storage and data flow:
- LoRa communication: end-to-end AES-128 encryption
- Applications & API: TLS/SSL
- Cloud hosting: ISO 27001 & SOC ½ Type II
Measurement interval and maintenance
For measuring soil moisture and steering irrigation, a minimum measurement interval of 1 hour is recommended. Sensoterra sensors have a 1 hour interval, and with this 1 hour interval the life time of the current sensors (Generation 2.5) is 6 to 8 years, and the new generation 3 (to be introduced Q3 2023) has a battery life of 10+ years without the need for changing the battery or charging. This means that the sensors can be buried/hidden, and never have to be taken out of the project for this long period of time. This highly efficient measurement method has been patented.
Installation and maintenance
Sensoterra sensors can be pushed in the ground, or even be hammered in the ground. This functionality is actually patented. The sensors can easily be removed, to be used in another project. Once installed, no further maintenance is required. If the sensors are taken out of the soil, they automatically go into batter-saver mode.
Soil Calibrations
Every soil moisture sensor needs calibration, to interpret the data and give a qualitative interpretation. Sensoterra offers >40 standard calibrations, and has an own soil lab where additional standard calibrations can be done. Sensoterra has created 3 custom calibrations for soils used by ACO. The calibrations are managed centrally, which gives full flexibility in adding new soil types or updating/improving existing soil types. If ACO would receive the raw data, they should make their own calibrations and data interpretation. More information here:
API
Sensoterra offers an API which can be fully integrated with customer platforms. This means that no Sensoterra software needs to be used. The API can be used to retrieve data, but also to register new sensors with the QR code and to change settings of sensors (like for example calibrations). Besides the standard REST API, Sensoterra offers secured HTTP Push functionality, which pushes the calibrated sensor data in real time in the ACOplatform. More information on our API best practices article.
Production volumes and standards
Sensoterra uses manufacturing facilities in Europe (Slovenia and Portugal) and we have set up mass production processes for all our sensor types. Sensoterra is easily able to scale up production to producing >100.000’s sensors per year.
The factory works according to the following (quality management) standards and certifications:
- IATF 16949:2016
- ISO 9001:2015
- ISO 14001:2015
- IQNET SR 10:2015ISO 45001:2018
- The factory is a certified Family Friendly Enterprise
About Sensoterra
Sensoterra develops low-cost, simple, and robust wireless soil moisture sensors, providing actionable insights that enable water management platforms and solutions. Our sensors are built to integrate into any platform with our unique ‘API first’ philosophy – offering freedom and flexibility for data integration. It is our mission to enable water management platforms and solutions worldwide. We help by ‘Making Sense of Water’. We produce simple, robust, and low-cost wireless soil moisture sensors that are easy to deploy and built to integrate. With proven success in the applications of smart city landscaping, environmental monitoring, and precision agriculture, the Sensoterra solution integrates seamlessly in existing water and land management platforms.
Learn more at www.sensoterra.com
Contact for more information, pictures and/or interview requests:
Jessica Nuboer
Marketing & Communications
Sensoterra
Email: [email protected]
