Performance Analysis of Different WSN Based Systems in Precision Farming

Development in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) has been a boon to Precision Farming (PF) worldwide. Its immense potential has attracted the attention of researchers in recent years. The sensor nodes, forming the basic blocks of WSNs, along with advanced Wireless Technologies (WTs) help in collecting, storing and sharing various sensed agricultural parameters, thereby enabling control over inputs. It thus helps in resource conservation and is economical. This paper discusses some of the practical challenges facing the precise functioning and implementation of the WSNs. It attempts to give an overview of certain existing WSN systems that utilize different Wireless Technologies (Bluetooth (BT), Wi-Fi, Zigbee and RF) to monitor field parameters such as, irrigation, temperature variation, nutrient and moisture content and pH level of soil for wide and short ranges. The systems are then compared to arrive at an efficient and farmer-friendly system for implementation and also to look at specific areas in the systems that need research to enhance efficiency.