Final Technical Paper

· What standards were used in your design?  How did the standards impact your design?

Water irrigation system requires specific standards to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in water engineering. I used IIABC, ASTM, and IEEE engineering standards in my design to positively impact my water irrigation system. The IIABC design enabled me to incorporate sprinklers, piping, water pump, Arduino Uno, water hose to control the water velocity, pressure and flow zoning requirements, and the entire system design. The standards played an essential role in completing my water irrigation project.

Another standard I incorporated in my smart water irrigation project are the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers standards (IEEE). IEEE industry standards compel organizations and individuals to adhere to protocols that maximize product functionality and compatibility, facilitate interoperability of products and services and support consumer safety and public health (Monebhurrun, 2020). IEEE’s list of standards impacted my project design in a significant way.

My choice of materials to adopt was influenced by IEEE standards of compatibility, optimal functionality, interoperability etc. For instance, my project adopted an Arduino uno because of its versatility in application in addition to easy-to-apply technology and low cost. Arduino based plant watering systems has been recognized to be effective and not wasteful of water during irrigation. Also, my pick of LCD display was one with features of simple structure, small size and good power management to make it suitable for operation in accordance with IEEE standards.

· What are some of the societal, global, legal, ethical, and environmental impacts associated with your product?  This needs to be a specific and well-thought out response as it will be placed in the final report you create.  Were any of these given consideration in the requirements definition?

Some of the societal and global impacts associated with my project include irrigation modernization, investment limitation, water-saving irrigation methods and economic and agricultural transformation. Global and societal standards have sought to technical upgrading of irrigation schemes with an objective of improving resource utilization. There has been limited investment in irrigation globally while there have been heightened campaigns for society to enhance irrigation water use and efficiency (“Document Card| FAO” n.d).

My project has adhered to societal and global standards for irrigation schemes by designing a low-cost, irrigation project that utilizes modern technological equipment and its design has been impacted by local needs and conditions. My product has the objective to also reduce water losses through runoff and seepage.

Legal impacts associated with my smart water irrigation project include requirements such as licensing and patents. The assembling of my irrigation project is my intellectual property and patenting could be a legal consideration to ensure my invention is legally protected. On the other hand, licensing is a legal impact that could mean ceding control of my project to other parties. There are many ethical considerations as well associated with my product such as safety of users and multiple use of water systems. I have taken into consideration ethical considerations by making engineering decisions consistent with the health, safety and welfare of the users, disclosing any downsides from my project and maximizing the benefits of the irrigation system.

Environmental impacts associated with my project include climate smart agriculture and climate change impacts. Climate smart agriculture has the aim of sustainably increasing agricultural productivity and reducing greenhouse gas emissions where possible (“Document Card| FAO” n.d). My project has, where possible, taken into consideration forecasted impacts of climate change and adhered to climate smart agriculture by using green equipment and a smart design.

References

Document card | FAO | Food and agriculture organization of the United Nations. (n.d.). Home | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. https://www.fao.org/documents/card/en/c/CA2608EN/

Monebhurrun, V. (2020). 2019 IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) International Award. IEEE Antennas and Propagation Magazine, 62(1), 113-113.