Overview
Device Management enables you to configure and monitor all sensors and actuators deployed in greenhouse facilities. Devices are the hardware components that collect environmental data (sensors) and control greenhouse systems (actuators). Proper device configuration is essential for accurate monitoring and automated control.Devices are assigned to sectors (zones within greenhouses) and belong to a specific client. Each device has a category, type, and measurement unit.
Device Categories
There are two main categories of devices:Sensors
Monitoring DevicesCollect environmental data such as:
- Temperature readings
- Humidity levels
- Soil moisture
- Light intensity
- CO₂ concentration
- pH levels
Actuators
Control DevicesControl greenhouse systems:
- Irrigation valves
- Ventilation fans
- Heating systems
- Shade screens
- Lighting systems
- CO₂ injectors
Accessing Device Management
To manage devices:- Navigate to a client detail screen
- Select the “Devices” tab
- View all devices for this client across all greenhouses and sectors
Device Properties
Each device has the following attributes:System Identifiers
- Code: Unique system-generated identifier
- ID: Internal database identifier
- Tenant ID: Client/owner reference
Location and Assignment
- Sector: The greenhouse zone where the device is installed
- Sector Code: Quick reference to the sector
Device Classification
- Category: Sensor or Actuator
- Type: Specific device type (e.g., “Temperature Sensor”, “Irrigation Valve”)
- Unit: Measurement unit for the device (e.g., “°C”, ”%”, “ppm”)
Device Information
- Name: Optional custom name for easy identification
- Status: Active or Inactive
Timestamps
- Created At: When the device was added to the system
- Updated At: Last modification date
Creating a New Device
Follow these steps to add a device to the system:Select Location
Choose the Sector where this device is installed. The dropdown shows all sectors for the current client.
Choose Device Category
Select the device category:
- Sensor (Category ID: 1) - For monitoring devices
- Actuator (Category ID: 2) - For control devices
Select Device Type
Choose the specific device type from the dropdown. The list is filtered based on the selected category:
- For sensors: Temperature, Humidity, Soil Moisture, Light, CO₂, pH, etc.
- For actuators: Valve, Fan, Heater, Shade, Light, Pump, etc.
Device types are predefined in the system catalog and can be managed in the Settings section.
Configure Measurement Unit
Select the appropriate measurement unit:
- Temperature: °C, °F, K
- Humidity: %, g/m³
- Pressure: Pa, bar, psi
- Concentration: ppm, mg/L
- Flow: L/min, m³/h
Add Custom Name (Optional)
Enter a custom name to help identify this specific device, such as:
- “North Wall Temperature”
- “Zone A Irrigation Valve”
- “Main Ventilation Fan”
Set Status
Choose the device status:
- Active: Device is operational and collecting/sending data
- Inactive: Device is offline, disabled, or under maintenance
Viewing Device Information
The devices table displays comprehensive information:| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Code | Unique device identifier |
| Name/Type | Custom name or device type |
| Sector | Zone where device is installed |
| Category | Sensor or Actuator badge |
| Type | Specific device type |
| Unit | Measurement unit symbol |
| Status | Active/Inactive with color indicator |
| Actions | Edit and delete buttons |
Visual Indicators
Category Badges
Category Badges
- Sensor: Displayed with a sensor icon
- Actuator: Displayed with a control/gear icon
Status Colors
Status Colors
- Active (Green): Device is operational
- Inactive (Red): Device is offline or disabled
Editing Device Configuration
To update a device:Modify Settings
Update any of the following:
- Sector assignment (move device to different zone)
- Device category (Sensor ↔ Actuator)
- Device type
- Measurement unit
- Custom name
- Active/Inactive status
Device Status Management
Active Devices
Set devices to Active when:- The device is installed and operational
- You want to collect sensor readings
- Actuators should respond to control commands
- The device is included in monitoring and alerts
Inactive Devices
Set devices to Inactive when:- The device is temporarily removed for maintenance
- Hardware is being repaired or replaced
- You want to exclude the device from active monitoring
- The device is being decommissioned
Inactive devices remain in the system with their historical data but don’t participate in active monitoring or control operations.
Device Types and Units
The system includes a comprehensive catalog of device types and measurement units:Common Sensor Types
- Temperature: Ambient air, soil, water temperature
- Humidity: Relative humidity, absolute humidity
- Light: PAR, lux, PPFD sensors
- Moisture: Soil moisture, substrate moisture
- Air Quality: CO₂, O₂, VOC sensors
- Water Quality: pH, EC, TDS sensors
Common Actuator Types
- Climate Control: Heaters, coolers, fans, vents
- Irrigation: Valves, pumps, drippers
- Lighting: Growth lights, supplemental lighting
- Environmental: Shade screens, misting systems, CO₂ injectors
Measurement Units
- Temperature: °C (Celsius), °F (Fahrenheit), K (Kelvin)
- Humidity: % (percentage), g/m³
- Light: µmol/m²/s, lux, W/m²
- Pressure: Pa, kPa, bar, psi
- Concentration: ppm, ppb, mg/L
- Flow Rate: L/min, L/h, m³/h
- Electrical: mS/cm, dS/m (for EC)
Sector Assignment
Devices must be assigned to a sector (greenhouse zone):- Sectors define location: Each sector belongs to a greenhouse
- Devices inherit context: The device’s greenhouse is determined by its sector
- Logical grouping: Devices in the same sector share location and often control logic
Moving Devices Between Sectors
You can reassign devices to different sectors when:- Reorganizing greenhouse zones
- Moving physical hardware
- Adjusting monitoring coverage
Deleting Devices
To remove a device from the system:Common Workflows
Initial Device Deployment
- Plan the layout: Determine sensor/actuator locations
- Create sectors: Set up greenhouse zones first
- Add devices: Create each device with proper category, type, and unit
- Use descriptive names: Name devices by location (“North Wall Temp”)
- Verify status: Ensure all devices are set to Active
- Test connectivity: Confirm devices are reporting data
Device Maintenance
Before Maintenance:- Set device to Inactive
- Note the device code and configuration
- Perform physical maintenance
- Verify device is functioning
- Set device back to Active
- Monitor for proper readings
Replacing a Failed Device
Option 1: Update Existing- Edit the device record
- Update type/unit if hardware changed
- Note the replacement in custom name
- Set to Active
- Set old device to Inactive
- Create new device record
- Reference old device code in notes
Best Practices
- Consistent Naming: Use a naming convention like “[Location] - [Type]” (e.g., “Zone A - Temp Sensor”)
- Accurate Categories: Choose the correct category (Sensor vs Actuator) from the start
- Proper Units: Select measurement units that match your physical devices
- Status Hygiene: Keep device status current - set to Inactive when not in use
- Logical Grouping: Assign devices to the correct sectors for proper organization
- Documentation: Use custom names to add context and location information
- Regular Audits: Periodically review device list to remove obsolete entries or update inactive devices
Integration with Other Features
Device management integrates with:- Sectors: Devices are assigned to sectors within greenhouses
- Settings: Environmental parameters reference device types and units
- Alerts: Monitoring rules use device readings to trigger notifications
- Dashboard: Device counts and status appear in summary statistics
- Catalogs: Device types, categories, and units are managed in Settings