# Sensor question

**URL:** <https://farmos.discourse.group/t/sensor-question/2063>\
**Category:** Using farmOS\
**Created:** [June 28, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://farmos.discourse.group/t/sensor-question/2063 "2024-06-28T18:37:52Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mlewis91](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a698b9/32.png) [@Mlewis91](https://farmos.discourse.group/u/Mlewis91)\
**Post date:** [June 28, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://farmos.discourse.group/t/sensor-question/2063/1 "2024-06-28T18:37:52Z")

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Okay, I am shopping around for sensors. I am new to setting up a wireless network in the field literally. Can I get some help with this please?  
“Hello Michael,

To connect the sensors you mentioned to an open source farm management software, such as FarmOS or OpenAgri, you have several options:

1. Direct Integration via API or Plugins:

2. Using Industrial Routers or DTU (Data Transfer Units):

3. Protocol Support:

4. Custom Development:

For the specific sensors you mentioned:  
-Niubol All-in-One Ultrasonic Weather Station.

- Niubol 8-in-1 Soil Integrated Sensor.

This sensor outputs data that can be collected via RS485. Integration involves connecting it to a device that can handle RS485 communication (like an industrial router or DTU) and then transmitting the data to your farm management software.

Before making a decision, review the documentation and capabilities of the farm management software you intend to use to confirm it aligns with the protocols and integration methods required by your sensors.”

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**Author:** ![Farmer-Ed](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/farmos.discourse.group/farmer-ed/32/662_2.png) [@Farmer-Ed](https://farmos.discourse.group/u/Farmer-Ed)\
**Post date:** [June 29, 2024, 8:06am UTC](https://farmos.discourse.group/t/sensor-question/2063/2 "2024-06-29T08:06:27Z")

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RS485 is a wired serial protocol. You will need additional hardware/software to send data wirelessly, how are you planning on powering the sensors?

farmOS has a basic API to accept sensor data, it doesn’t support RS485 or MQTT directly. In order to receive data from the sensors you will need something to process and forward the sensor data. Node-Red can support RS485 and MQTT and it’s is fairly straightforward to send the received sensor data to farmOS with it.

I use Raspberry Pi Zero’s with 4G modems in the field, powered by battery / solar as sensor gateways. Most of my sensors are custom made using RFM95 (LoRa) radios to communicate with the Raspberry Pi’s.