Automation
From dictionary.reference.com:
au·to·ma·tion [aw-tuh-mey-shuhn] noun 1. the technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum.
In mycological studies of past (over four years ago) times, the idea was concieved of having a computer control appliances such as heaters and humidifiers on a timer basis. It was also thought to be good to monitor the temperature and humidity of a terrarium, and perhaps tie the two together for automated control. Applications range from horticulture and mycology to full terrariums / ecosystems, can include controlling heaters, humidifiers, air exchange fans, even co2 solenoid valves, and can widely range in complexity. The devices described have mostly been geared towards low-cost solutions for part-time cultivators.
A good automation system ought to be cheap, and not depend on a computer 100% for its operation. Nowadays microcontrollers are cheap enough that a solution can be relatively independent of the computer. It is also possible to make the system wireless. For example, although it does add some cost, bluetooth integrates with this application well.
Regardless of interface, the most basic microcontroller has enough memory to store a small logfile and programming. This allows the device to monitor the sensors, store their readings, and control appliances based on the programming set by the user.
Through the computer, sensor data can be viewed, and a program be set. The software on the PC compliments the hardware, in that the device can run independent of a computer, but the computer can be used to dynamically change the settings and store log information for extended periods of time.
The first prototype. See below for capabilities.
The new log viewer on 5/4/06.
I took some pictures of the current build, on March 6th, 2007:
This shows the Arduino BT, transformer, and support electronics.
Here’s the lid for the enclosure, which has four outlets and four relays (two 20A mechanical, two 2A solid-state), and fuses for each outlet.
Finished hardware:
Two 2A solid-state relays, two 20A electromechanical relays; Fused outlets.
Two SHT15 digital humidity/temperature sensors
One internal thermistor, three extra external thermistors.
Arduino BT board, using a bluegiga bluetooth 2 modem.
PC software
(under development)
An example setting window. These settings determine how the framistat will perform.