This is a prototype for an automatic herb incubator which monitors the plant's environment and actively supports its growth. The incubator measures the moisture content of the soil and the ambient light to automatically irrigate and provide artificial light when needed. Pressing the status button presents the soil moisture content and ambient light as percentages on the display.The ambient light is measured using an LDR, the analogue voltage is mapped to a PWM signal sent to an LED strip which varies instantly and continuously with changing light conditions. All the automatic functions and monitoring are handled in an interrupt service routine using Timer_0. This allows the PIC to carry out overlapping functions, for example continuing to update the LEDs as light conditions vary while the status is being displayed on screen or the motor is running the irrigation.
Process Photos
