SCI Plant Monitor: The Smart Way to Track and Analyze Your Plant's Data for Growth
At BETT 2023, DFRobot unveiled their latest product, the SCI DAQ module. This multi-functional data logging module can convert analog signals from sensors and display as physical quantities, providing a convenient and accurate way to observe and collect data in real-time.
The "SCI Plant Monitor" project uses a SCI module, a micro:bit, three sensors, and an LED strip to display real-time data and control output devices, thereby improving the health of plants when environmental conditions are not ideal. For instance, the LED strip automatically turns on when there is insufficient ambient light, and the micro:bit displays a smiley or sad face to indicate the soil moisture level.
1. Power the SCI module from either battery or Type-C port.
2. Connect the soil moisture sensor to the left Port 1.
3. Connect the temperature & humidity sensor and light sensor to the Port 2 and Port 3.
The SCI module can automatically identify IIC sensors connected to Port2 and Port3. However, for digital or analog sensors connected to Port1, manual selection is required.
Press the S button to enter the setting menu.
The cursor stays at the Select SKU by default, press the OK button to enter the sensor selection page.
Use S and R button to select SEN0114 Soil moisture, press OK to confirm.
The data from the sensors will be displayed on the screen in the order of Port1 to Port3. With these settings, you can view or record data without the need for programming.
The SCI DAQ module is equipped with a storage capacity of 16 megabytes, enabling real-time data recording during experiments in CSV format. Press the R button to start recording data. The symbol * will appear at the lower-left corner of the screen next to REC to indicate that the module is currently recording data. The LED indicator will blink in accordance with the data refresh rate.
To stop data recording, press the R key. Connect the module to a computer using a Type-C cable, and a U-disk will appear. (Un-plug and connect again if you are using the Type-C to power the module.) Open the U-disk and copy the CSV file that you need into your computer.
By connecting your plant monitor to a micro-controller, such as a micro:bit, you can create an automatic feedback system to improve the health of your plants when environmental conditions are not ideal.
1. Connect the SCI module from the I2C output port to the I2C port on the micro:bit expansion board.
2. Connect the LED ring lamp to the P2 port on the expansion board.
3. Power the micro:bit and SCI module using the power plug on the expansion board.
4. Connect the micro:bit to your computer using a USB cable to begin programming.
The sample code is written in Mind+, which you can download for free at mindplus.cc.
SCI plant monitor with microbit.zip 
For MakeCode users, load the extension library for the SCI DAQ module: Use the following blocks and enter the name of the physical quantity displayed on the module screen to get their value and unit.
For a better display, you can print out the layout and stick it onto a cardboard. Then, mount the sensors and modules on top of the cardboard.
To access more SCI content, please see the following tutorials:
1. Build a Conductivity Tester
3. Discover Color, Light and Heat
5. Air Quality Tracking and Analysis
