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To measure accurately is to really know
For optimum irrigation in the greenhouse, you really need to know what’s happening in the root zone. The wireless CARA MET sensor of SenseNL offers you this insight. It takes better, more accurate and more reliable measurements inside the substrate slab and therefore allows growers to perfect their water management and achieve much higher production and quality.
Exactly what happens in a plant’s root zone is still a mystery to many people. But it’s essential for a grower to know what’s going on in the substrate or soil. Having detailed and reliable data about moisture content, EC and temperature makes it possible to optimise the irrigation and fertigation strategy and raise the standard of the crop. The CARA MET sensor of SenseNL is suitable for all substrates and gives growers a better, more accurate and more reliable insight into the root zone. Because to measure is to know. But to measure accurately is to really know.
The sensors are guaranteed to be reliable, thanks to cutting-edge, advanced technology and also the way they’re used in practice. SenseNL recommends using multiple wireless sensors per hectare, to ensure accurate results. The CARA MET sensor is therefore sold in sets of ten, providing highly detailed data per hectare and hence clear insight into the moisture content, EC and temperature inside the substrate slabs, cubes or soil. This information not only allows hightech growers more precise control over irrigating the crop, but also improves the reliability accuracy of algorithms such as harvest forecasting, so that the data from the wireless CARA MET sensor can result in more accurate forecasts. The developments in the area of autonomous growing in international horticulture make this immensely valuable, as already demonstrated by Wageningen University’s latest Autonomous Greenhouse Challenge.
RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY
The CARA MET sensor measures the moisture content, EC and temperature in the root zone. After many years of research and practical experience, Max Hilhorst found a smart way to resolve the limiting factor of both the Frequency Domain (FD) and the Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) technology in order to calculate the electrical path length of the sensor signal even in the root environment. This also makes it possible to calculate the EC of the substrate’s pore water. The new algorithm and calibration formula developed by Hilhorst was further optimised by SenseNL’s technologists for different types of substrate and soil, and offers unprecedented reliability in the EC range between 4 and 10 EC. With 10 sensors per hectare and measurements in a larger part of the substrate, a unique insight into the substrate is therefore generated.
PLUG & PLAY
The CARA MET sensor is a plug & play application that’s easy to install in the greenhouse and hence can quickly be put into use. A wireless 4G or Ethernet connection is used to send all the collected data to the Cloud via a base station in the greenhouse. A unique algorithm processes the raw data in the Cloud, so that information about moisture content, EC and temperature can be imported by climate computers and data platforms in real-time.
OPTIMUM WIRELESS CONNECTIVITY
The LoRaWAN protocol was optimised by SOWNet – a spinoff from the TNO research institute – for use in greenhouses. With this protocol, the optimisation between energy consumption and data transfer is chosen and two-way communication is possible between the sensor and the Cloud. The CARA MET sensor is suitable for all substrates, and close collaboration with prominent suppliers of climate computers and data platforms means that it can be used worldwide at any location. The collected data can also be used to support the growing processes by means of artificial intelligence. In conjunction with pioneers in the sector, the CARA MET sensor therefore makes a clear contribution to development of autonomous and data-driven growing.
HIGHLY AFFORDABLE
The CARA MET sensor is offered in sets of ten, including a base station, for a competitive price in the market. SenseNL is thus making it affordable to use sensors in horticulture and giving growers the opportunity to widely incorporate this advanced measuring technology within their own operations. The high reliability of the measurements means that the investment can be earned back relatively quickly.
Any questions?
Fill in the form below and we will send you more information about the wireless CARA MET sensor from SenseNL.
State-of-the-art design
The CARA MET sensor of SenseNL has a state-of-the art design. The sleek styling is inspired by the mobile devices that are today’s standard, but is also appropriate for the hightech horticulture sector. The orange colour is naturally a reference to its Dutch origin, while also ensuring that the sensor is clearly visible in the greenhouse and doesn’t attract insects.
CARA MET slab
The CARA MET slab is intended for use in stone wool substrate slabs and can be used for stone wool both in gutters and on the ground with a drip irrigation system. The CARA MET slab has five pins and a measuring range of 45 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
CARA MET slab
The CARA MET slab is intended for use in stone wool substrate slabs and can be used for stone wool both in gutters and on the ground with a drip irrigation system. The CARA MET slab has five pins and a measuring range of 45 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
CARA MET slab
The CARA MET slab is intended for use in stone wool substrate slabs and can be used for stone wool both in gutters and on the ground with a drip irrigation system. The CARA MET slab has five pins and a measuring range of 45 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
CARA MET cube
The CARA MET cube is suitable for stone wool cubes on benches or on a (concrete) floor with an ebb-and-flow type of drip irrigation system. The CARA MET cube has two pins and a measuring range of 100 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
CARA MET cube
The CARA MET cube is suitable for stone wool cubes on benches or on a (concrete) floor with an ebb-and-flow type of drip irrigation system. The CARA MET cube has two pins and a measuring range of 100 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
CARA MET cube
The CARA MET cube is suitable for stone wool cubes on benches or on a (concrete) floor with an ebb-and-flow type of drip irrigation system. The CARA MET cube has two pins and a measuring range of 100 cm3.
- 100% wireless
- High accuracy in EC range from 0-12
- Connected with leading data platforms and climate computers
Cloud platform & Graphical User Interface
All CARA MET sensor data is handled on the AWS cloud platform and visualized by the SenseNL Graphical User Interface (GUI).
Via MySenseNL you can access your data where and when you want.
There are different functionalities on the SenseNL platform like grouping different sensor data, select different parameters, visualize different time periods, download your data to your own data base and more.
It is also possible to connect with the leading climate computer companies or platforms for further monitoring and automation.
For more information contact SenseNL.
About SenseNL
SenseNL is a technology company that produces smart wireless sensors specifically for the agriculture and horticulture sector. The CARA MET sensor, offering highly accurate insight into the plant’s root zone, is actively helping to speed up the process of digitisation within the sector.
SenseNL has developed sensors, under the name CARA MET, for use in stone wool slabs and cubes. Now, soil moisture sensors / EC sensors for use in container-grown crops and open field crops are available as well.
Precision irrigation
Using the CARA MET substrate sensor makes it possible to apply ‘precision irrigation’. Growers can use the data obtained with the sensor to optimise their company’s irrigation and fertigation strategy. By generating more information about water content, EC and temperature in the root zone and using this information for precise control, growers can ultimately achieve higher quality and greater yields. Having a large number of reliable measuring points allows a grower to decide with more certainty, in combination with the expected solar radiation, when the last irrigation dose of the day should take place, for example. SenseNL works closely with prominent market players so that it’s easy to link the collected data to all standard climate computers and leading data platforms.
Exclusive
SenseNL is the exclusive supplier of the CARA MET sensor, to ensure that the lines to growers remain short and feedback can be obtained for improvements. This also keeps the price low, making it possible for more companies to use sensors. SenseNL’s aim for the coming years is to help international agriculture and horticulture to reach an even higher level.
The CARA MET sensor is based on the renowned technology of researcher Dr. Max Hilhorst, who still has close links with SenseNL.
Contact
- SenseNL B.V.
- Ambachtsweg 41F
- 2641 KT Pijnacker
- T: +31 (0)85 876 8909
- info@sensenl.com
Any questions?
Fill in the form below and we will send you more information about the wireless CARA MET sensor from SenseNL.