Intelligent Cattle Sensor

FreeRTOS C++ Digital Design PCB Prototyping Power Management Low Power Multi-layer Design Manufacturing Bluetooth LoRaWAN Fixed Price

The Intelligent Cattle Sensor by Muu Control is an advanced smart sensor system for livestock traceability and management, which is designed to provide precise geolocation, behavior monitoring, and real-time alerts. The system is shaped like a cattle ear tag, and it works on top of a LoRaWAN network and is equipped with a GPS receiver, accelerometers, and a solar-powered battery, offering up to 5 years of autonomous operation. This innovative solution enables farmers to monitor their livestock remotely, enhance security against theft, and improve overall herd management through data-driven insights and AI-powered predictive analytics.

01

About the client

Muu Control is a technology-focused project incubated within Servinfo – Lidefox S.A., a Uruguayan technology integrator with over 22 years of market experience. With a strong emphasis on IoT and precision agriculture, Muu Control is dedicated to advancing livestock management through smart devices. Their mission is to empower farmers with accurate, real-time data on animal behavior and location, enhancing herd control and security. They partnered with Focus as their engineering team due to their expertise in hardware and embedded software solutions tailored to the agricultural sector.

02

About the problem

Muu Control identified a critical need in the market for a reliable, low-maintenance solution to track livestock over large areas and provide actionable insights into animal behavior. Key challenges included maintaining long-range communication, achieving high precision in geolocation, and ensuring extended operational life with minimal maintenance. Additionally, Muu Control required a system that could generate alerts for abnormal conditions, such as unauthorized movement or inactivity, to enhance security and herd management.

03

Working Methodology

Focus approached the project with a structured and phased methodology, employing Agile development practices to facilitate iterative enhancements and client collaboration. The development process included initial prototyping with evaluation boards, refinement of the design through pre-prototype testing, and comprehensive validation with production-grade prototypes. Key activities included selecting appropriate components, designing low-power PCBs, and developing embedded firmware optimized for energy efficiency. The project was executed in multiple sprints, with continuous performance assessments to ensure the solution met all technical and operational requirements.

04

The Solution

The Intelligent Cattle Sensor system developed by Focus consists of smart ear tags that incorporate a Nordic nRF52832 microcontroller, LoRaWAN radio, GPS module, accelerometer, and a solar-rechargeable battery. The device is designed for low power consumption, enabling it to function for extended periods without direct solar exposure. The ear tags provide precise geolocation data with a ±5-meter accuracy and can be configured to report animal position at user-defined intervals. The system’s robust communication capabilities enable long-range data transmission of up to 10 km, depending on terrain conditions. Additionally, it features customizable alerts for unusual behaviors, enhancing security against livestock theft and providing early warnings for potential health issues.

05

The Results

Implementing the Intelligent Cattle Sensor resulted in significant benefits for Muu Control and its users, including enhanced livestock management, improved security, and data-driven insights into animal behavior. The solution allows for real-time remote monitoring, accurate stock counting, and immediate alerts in case of abnormal activities, such as animals leaving designated areas or showing signs of distress. By integrating AI and big data analytics, the system can predict patterns and provide early warnings, further empowering farmers to make informed decisions. The project’s success underscores Focus’s capability to deliver complex embedded solutions that address critical needs in precision agriculture.

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