Published May 16, 2025

Integration of the RAK12035 Sensor

This document outlines the complete process for adding and activating the RAK12035 sensor (a capacitive soil moisture sensor)

BeginnerWork in progress3 hours87

Things used in this project

Hardware components

RAKwireless WisBlock Base Board RAK5005-O

rak12035

rak11300

rak19007

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE

The Things Industries The Things Stack

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Multitool, Screwdriver

Story

Integration of the RAK12035 Sensor into the Existing IoT System for Hydroponic Monitoring with LoRaWAN

Introduction

This document outlines the complete process for adding and activating the RAK12035 sensor (a capacitive soil moisture sensor) in the existing IoT system based on WisBlock and LoRaWAN, which currently monitors environmental variables in a hydroponic setup. The new sensor allows for the direct monitoring of water levels or moisture in the substrates used.Components Used

RAK12035: Capacitive soil moisture sensor.
RAK11300: WisBlock Core used as the central controller.
RAK19007-O: WisBlock baseboard, allowing modular connections.
TTN Platform: Public LoRaWAN network used for managing and visualizing data.

📷Assembly and Connection of the RAK12035

Physical connection of the sensor:
Insert the RAK12035 into one of the available analog connectors (labeled as “ADC”) on the WisBlock baseboard (RAK19007-O).
Make sure to secure it properly using the included screws to ensure stability.

2. Electrical Verification:

Use a multimeter to check continuity and correct voltages in the connection.

Configuration in Arduino IDE:

1. Prepare the Environment:

Make sure that the Arduino IDE has the WisBlock-API library installed to manage analog inputs.

2. Integration into the Existing Code:Add this section to the code:

Verification and Commissioning

Upload the updated code to your RAK11300 node.
Open the serial monitor to verify correct readings and transmissions.
Check in TTN the received data to confirm that the soil humidity is being recorded correctly.

Conclusion

The RAK12035 sensor effectively complements the existing IoT system, providing valuable data on substrate humidity, further optimizing the performance of the hydroponic cultivation system through precise and efficient water resource management.

cpp
CopiarEditar
#define SOIL_SENSOR_PIN WB_A0 // Define the analog pin for the sensor

float readSoilHumidity() {
  int analogValue = analogRead(SOIL_SENSOR_PIN);
  float humidityPercentage = map(analogValue, 2600, 1300, 0, 100);
  humidityPercentage = constrain(humidityPercentage, 0, 100);
  return humidityPercentage;
}
cpp
CopiarEditar
void loop() {
  if (!bme.performReading()) {
    Serial.println("Error reading BME680 sensor data");
    return;
  }

  float temp = bme.temperature;
  float hum = bme.humidity;
  float pres = bme.pressure / 100.0;
  float iaq = bme.gas_resistance / 1000.0;
  float soilHumidity = readSoilHumidity();
  Serial.printf("T: %.2f°C, H: %.2f%%, P: %.2f hPa, IAQ: %.2f kΩ, Soil: %.2f%%\n", temp, hum, pres, iaq, soilHumidity);

  uint8_t payload[10];
  memcpy(payload, &temp, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 2, &hum, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 4, &pres, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 6, &iaq, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 8, &soilHumidity, 2);

  api.lorawan.send(payload, sizeof(payload), 2, false);

  delay(300000); // 5 minutes between readings
}

cpp
CopiarEditar
void loop() {
  if (!bme.performReading()) {
    Serial.println("Error reading BME680 sensor data");
    return;
  }

  float temp = bme.temperature;
  float hum = bme.humidity;
  float pres = bme.pressure / 100.0;
  float iaq = bme.gas_resistance / 1000.0;
  float soilHumidity = readSoilHumidity();

  Serial.printf("T: %.2f°C, H: %.2f%%, P: %.2f hPa, IAQ: %.2f kΩ, Soil: %.2f%%\n", temp, hum, pres, iaq, soilHumidity);

  uint8_t payload[10];
  memcpy(payload, &temp, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 2, &hum, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 4, &pres, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 6, &iaq, 2);
  memcpy(payload + 8, &soilHumidity, 2);

  api.lorawan.send(payload, sizeof(payload), 2, false);

  delay(300000); // 5 minutes between readings
}

Credits

Miguel Montiel Vega

11 projects • 9 followers

Teacher at Maude Studio & Erasmus+ project member: "Developing Solutions to Sustainability Using IoT" (2022-1-PT01-KA220-VET-000090202)

Integration of the RAK12035 Sensor

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Introduction

2. Electrical Verification:

Configuration in Arduino IDE:

1. Prepare the Environment:

Verification and Commissioning

Conclusion

Code

2. Integration into the Existing Code:

3. Update the Loop to Include Humidity:

Registration and Configuration in TTN:

Credits

Miguel Montiel Vega

Comments

Embed the widget on your own site

Integration of the RAK12035 Sensor

Integration of the RAK12035 Sensor

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Software apps and online services

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Story

Introduction

2. Electrical Verification:

Configuration in Arduino IDE:

1. Prepare the Environment:

Verification and Commissioning

Conclusion

Code

2. Integration into the Existing Code:

3. Update the Loop to Include Humidity:

Registration and Configuration in TTN:

Credits

Miguel Montiel Vega

Comments

Related channels and tags