Toward soil smart sensing in v3.0 agriculture: a new original single-shape design for a capacitive moisture and salinity sensor

To rationalise the amount of water needed to irrigate cultivated fields, modern agriculture imposes the need for better knowledge of the soil moisture content. In this context, since current technological solutions do not correspond to criteria of cost or use, this paper presents a design for a new original capacitive bi-functional sensor to measure soil moisture and salinity. In this paper, we outline all the stages of the design, from simulation to finished elements of the optimal design to deployment in the fields, taking into consideration the constraints of mechanical integration necessary for its industrialisation. Measurement electronics have been developed on the basis of an electric model of the sensor in order to obtain double measurement. Then, an on-site (field lot) measurement program was carried out to validate the good performance of the system in real time. Finally, this performance was matched with that of leading industrial sensors on the market. This work clearly demonstrates that, after deployment of the sensors, the overall system makes it possible to obtain a precise image of the hydric condition of cultivated soil, with the best response time.