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SDI-12 Underground Temperature Sensor

A 7-channel 4-wire RTD temperature measurement device that communicates via the SDI-12 protocol, designed for underground temperature profiling applications.

Overview

This device is an SDI-12 sensor that provides high-precision temperature measurements from seven 4-wire RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector) inputs. It is designed for underground temperature sensing applications such as soil temperature profiling, permafrost monitoring, and geothermal studies. The 4-wire RTD configuration eliminates lead resistance errors, enabling accurate measurements even with long cable runs to buried sensors.

Built around the Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller and featuring a 24-bit ADC, the sensor integrates seamlessly with existing SDI-12 data logger infrastructure.

Features

  • 7 channels of 4-wire RTD temperature measurement
  • 24-bit precision ADC (AD7124-8) for high-resolution measurements
  • 8-channel analog multiplexer (ADG708) for RTD channel selection
  • SDI-12 protocol compatible with standard environmental data loggers
  • RP2040 microcontroller (dual-core Arm Cortex-M0+)
  • USB interface for configuration and direct data access
  • 128Mb flash memory for configuration storage
  • Weatherproof enclosure with gasket seal for field deployment

Hardware Specifications

Parameter Value
RTD Channels 7 (4-wire configuration)
ADC Resolution 24-bit
Communication SDI-12, USB
Power Supply 5V
Logic Level 3.3V (internal)
MCU RP2040 (Raspberry Pi)

Key Components

Reference Part Description
U7 RP2040 Main microcontroller
U8 AD7124-8BCPZ 24-bit 8-channel ADC
U5 ADG708BRUZ 8-channel analog multiplexer
U4 W25Q128JVS 128Mb SPI flash memory
U3 TXS0102DCT Bidirectional level shifter
U2 NCP1117-3.3 3.3V voltage regulator
U1 LP2950-5.0 5V voltage regulator

Repository Structure

├── sdi12-analog-mux.kicad_sch    # KiCad schematic
├── sdi12-analog-mux.kicad_pcb    # KiCad PCB layout
├── sdi12-analog-mux.kicad_pro    # KiCad project file
├── sdi12-analog-mux.step         # 3D model of assembled PCB
├── CAD/
│   ├── assembly.FCStd            # FreeCAD full assembly
│   ├── bottom_housing.FCStd      # Bottom enclosure design
│   ├── PCB.FCStd                 # PCB model
│   └── enclosure/
│       ├── Bottom.stl            # 3D printable bottom housing
│       ├── Cover.stl             # 3D printable top cover
│       ├── Gasket.stl            # 3D printable gasket
│       ├── Gasket_Drawing.dxf    # Gasket cutting template
│       └── *.step                # STEP files for CAD import
└── production/
    ├── bom.csv                   # Bill of materials
    ├── positions.csv             # Component placement data
    ├── designators.csv           # Component designators
    └── netlist.ipc               # IPC netlist

Applications

  • Soil temperature profiling
  • Permafrost and active layer monitoring
  • Geothermal gradient measurement
  • Agricultural soil monitoring
  • Infrastructure temperature monitoring (roads, pipelines)
  • Environmental research

Known Issues

v1.0 - Incorrect Diodes

The diodes installed by JLCPCB are incorrect and must be replaced. Desolder the existing diodes and replace with:

Part Number Description
1N4148WS-FDICT-ND Diode, General Purpose, 75V 150mA, SOD-323

v1.0 - Missing Input Capacitor

A 1000 uF 16V electrolytic capacitor must be added between the 12V input and GND.

Manufacturing

Production files are located in the production/ directory:

  • BOM: bom.csv contains the complete bill of materials
  • Pick and Place: positions.csv provides component placement coordinates
  • Gerbers: Included in sdi12-analog-mux.zip
  • JLCPCB BOM: jlcpcb-bom.xls - BOM exported from JLCPCB order
  • JLCPCB Settings: jlcpcb-order-settings.txt - PCBA order configuration

Enclosure

The enclosure is designed for 3D printing and field deployment:

  • Bottom housing with mounting features
  • Top cover
  • Gasket for weatherproof sealing
  • Provisions for cable glands and ventilation

STL files for printing and STEP files for CAD integration are provided in CAD/enclosure/.

Design Tools

  • PCB Design: KiCad 8
  • Mechanical Design: FreeCAD

License

This project is open-source hardware.

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