LMS01-MS Leaf Moisture and Temperature Mesh Node

1. Introduction

1.1 What is the Dragino Mesh Leaf Moisture Sensor?

LMS01-MS is a Dragino Mesh Node for monitoring leaf-surface moisture and temperature. Its artificial leaf-shaped sensor uses a frequency-domain dielectric measurement method to detect changes caused by liquid droplets on the sensing surface.

The sensor converts the covered portion of its surface into a leaf-moisture percentage. It represents the wetting conditions experienced by nearby crop leaves rather than the plant's internal water content.

LMS01-MS sends data to a Dragino Mesh gateway directly or through other Mesh Nodes.

1.2 Features

• Leaf-surface moisture measurement from 0 to 100 %.
• Leaf-sensor temperature measurement.
• Frequency-domain dielectric measurement method.
• Artificial leaf shape with approximately 15 vein lines per centimeter.
• IP67 sensor for outdoor crop monitoring.
• Standard 3.5 m sensor cable.
• LoRa Mesh communication with multi-hop relaying.
• Solar panel and 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.
• Mesh reporting and gateway decoding currently under development.

1.3 Specifications

Common DC characteristics

Item	Specification
Main unit operating voltage	Approximately 2.5 V to 3.6 V
Main unit operating temperature	-40 °C to 85 °C; battery operating temperature is subject to the battery specification

Leaf moisture

Item	Specification
Range	0 to 100 %
Resolution	0.1 %
Accuracy	±3 % from 0 to 50 %; ±6 % above 50 %
Measurement information	Proportion of the sensing surface covered by liquid droplets

Leaf temperature

Item	Specification
Range	-50 °C to 80 °C
Resolution	0.1 °C
Accuracy	±0.5 °C from -10 °C to 70 °C; ±1.0 °C outside this range

Leaf sensor

Item	Specification
Operating voltage	5 V to 24 V; maximum 26.7 V
Current while powered	Peak less than 30 mA; average less than 10 mA
Response time	Less than 1 second
Measurement stabilization time	Approximately 2 seconds
Communication	RS-485 or UART using Modbus RTU
Protection rating	IP67
Operating temperature	-40 °C to 85 °C
Cable length	Standard 3.5 m, UL2464 5-core cable

Mesh main unit

Item	Specification
Radio	Sub-GHz LoRa radio for Dragino Mesh communication
Power supply	Solar panel + 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery
Local interfaces	3.3 V UART, BLE
Antenna	Sub-GHz LoRa antenna matching the shipping Region

1.4 Applications

• Monitoring leaf wetness after irrigation, spraying, rainfall, or dew formation.
• Comparing drying time between crop areas or greenhouse zones.
• Observing conditions associated with foliar fertilizer application.
• Detecting surface conditions related to dew and frost.
• Monitoring cutting-propagation environments.
• Remote agricultural sites requiring solar power and multi-hop wireless coverage.

1.5 Sleep Mode and Working Mode

In the sleep state, the node disables most functions and remains in low-power standby until its next scheduled wake-up or a user action wakes it.

The intended working cycle is:

Reach scheduled time -> Wake up -> Power and read the leaf sensor
                     -> Validate and send the measurement
                     -> Wait for a short communication window -> Sleep

The final scheduled reporting behavior will be confirmed with the production firmware.

1.6 Button Operations and LED Status

Button operations and LED indications are common to Dragino Mesh Nodes. See 3.1 Button Operations and LED Status in the Mesh Quick Start for sleep, wake-up, manual reporting, restart, reset, and firmware-upgrade actions.

1.7 BLE and Local Interfaces

LMS01-MS provides 3.3 V UART and BLE local interfaces. BLE is intended for normal APP firmware updates from a PC through PC BLE in FirmwareUpdateUtility when compatible LMS01-MS firmware is available.

The mobile upgrade workflow is still under development.

1.8 Enclosure and Mechanical Reference

The following figures show the pin definitions and the solar enclosure dimensions, mounting points, and cable outlets used by LMS01-MS.

Pin definitions

Solar enclosure dimensions and mounting reference

1.9 Sensor Wiring and Operating Mode

The standard five-core sensor cable uses the following wire definition:

Wire color	Function
Red	Power positive
Black	Power ground
Green	RS485-A+ / UART TX
Yellow	RS485-B- / UART RX
White	SET terminal

The SET terminal selects the sensor operating mode:

• Acquisition mode: connect SET to power ground.
• Setting mode: connect SET to power positive.

Normal measurement uses acquisition mode. Setting mode is used for direct sensor-parameter configuration.

warning

Return the SET terminal to acquisition mode after any direct sensor-setting operation.

1.10 Understanding Leaf Moisture and Temperature

Leaf moisture represents the percentage of the artificial sensing surface covered by liquid droplets. It does not measure moisture inside a real leaf or the plant's internal water status.

The reading can change with:

• droplet size and distribution;
• rain, dew, irrigation, or spray exposure;
• sensor tilt and orientation;
• sheltering by nearby leaves or structures;
• evaporation and airflow;
• contamination or material covering the sensing surface.

Leaf-sensor temperature is measured at the artificial leaf. Direct sunlight, shading, airflow, and recent wetting can cause it to differ from ambient-air temperature or the temperature of a nearby natural leaf.

For comparisons, install sensors at similar heights, angles, orientations, and levels of crop exposure. Establish project thresholds from observations at the deployment site.

1.11 Installation

1.11.1 Identify the Sensing Surface

The leaf-shaped sensor has two sides. The side without printed words is the sensing side and must face the exposure being monitored.

1.11.2 Select a Representative Position

Place the sensor beside the crop at a height and exposure representative of the leaves being monitored. Use a consistent position relative to the crop canopy when comparing zones.

Avoid a position unintentionally shielded from irrigation, spray, rain, or dew when those conditions are the subject of measurement.

1.11.3 Mount the Sensor

1. Orient the sensing side toward the exposure being monitored.
2. Match the tilt angle and orientation of nearby crop leaves as closely as practical.
3. Secure the sensor with non-metallic wire or another non-metallic support.
4. Keep the sensing surface uncovered.
5. Route the cable without tension, crushing, or sharp bends.
6. Install the enclosure above ground with the cable outlet facing downward and provide a drip loop.
7. Place the solar panel where it receives stable, unobstructed sunlight.

1.11.4 Installation Check

Confirm that:

• the sensing side faces the intended exposure;
• the sensor angle represents the nearby crop leaves;
• the support does not cover the sensing surface;
• the sensor and cable are secure without mechanical tension;
• the enclosure connection is protected from water running along the cable.

When Mesh reporting becomes available, confirm that leaf-moisture and temperature values appear and follow the wetting and drying conditions observed at the installation.

2. Use LMS01-MS with a Mesh Gateway

2.1 How It Works

Mesh reporting and gateway decoding for LMS01-MS are currently under development. When enabled, the Mesh gateway is expected to present:

• Leaf-surface moisture in %.
• Leaf-sensor temperature in °C.
• Battery level or battery status.
• Device online status and data update time.

The exact field names and gateway layout will be finalized with the production firmware and decoder.

2.2 Quick Guide to Connect LMS01-MS to a Mesh Gateway

2.2.1 Preparation

1. Confirm that the product label shows LMS01-MS.
2. Install the LoRa antenna before powering or waking the node.
3. Inspect the leaf-shaped sensor and cable for transport damage.
4. Identify the sensing side without printed words.
5. Place the solar panel where it receives stable, unobstructed sunlight.

2.2.2 Enrollment and Sensor Check

For the complete gateway and enrollment procedure, see 2. First network test.

1. Configure the node and Mesh gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country.
2. Add the node to the gateway with its Dev EUI and App Key.
3. Confirm that the gateway lists the node as enrolled.
4. Confirm that the sensor is in acquisition mode and connected correctly.

2.2.3 Installation and Final Check

1. Mount the sensor beside the crop using Section 1.11.
2. Confirm the sensing surface, angle, support, cable routing, enclosure orientation, and drip loop.
3. When Mesh reporting becomes available, confirm that leaf moisture and temperature appear on the gateway and follow the site conditions.

2.3 Mesh Payload

The Mesh payload specification for this product will be added in a future documentation update.

3. Configure LMS01-MS

3.1 Configuration Method

Common Mesh configuration is managed through the Mesh gateway. Use the Mesh Quick Start for the current configuration and enrollment workflow.

3.2 Region and Radio Preset

New units, factory-reset units, and units whose saved configuration has been cleared start with EU868 and the LONG_FAST modem preset (SF11 / BW 250 kHz).

Before deployment, configure the node and gateway for the Region corresponding to the installation country and confirm that their Region settings match.

3.3 Scheduled and Manual Reporting

The final scheduled Mesh reporting and manual-report behavior for LMS01-MS are currently under development. This section will be updated when the production firmware workflow is available.

4. Battery & Power Consumption

Battery performance depends on the reporting interval, Mesh coverage, relay conditions, sunlight, solar-panel orientation, ambient temperature, sensor power-up duration, and battery condition.

LMS01-MS uses a solar panel and a 3000 mAh rechargeable lithium battery.

Battery Info & Power Consumption Analyze.

5. Firmware Update

Use only an APP image released for LMS01-MS and the device's shipping Region.

When compatible firmware is available, follow 2. How to upload the firmware.

The mobile upgrade feature is still under development.

6. FAQ

6.1 What does the leaf-moisture percentage represent?

It represents the portion of the artificial sensing surface covered by liquid droplets. It does not measure moisture inside a real leaf or the plant's internal water status.

6.2 Why does the reading not match nearby crop leaves?

Check sensor height, angle, orientation, crop exposure, shielding, and droplet distribution. The artificial leaf should be installed in a position representative of the crop leaves being monitored.

6.3 Why does moisture remain at zero or stay high after drying?

For a zero reading on a wet sensor, confirm that water reached the sensing side without printed words and check the cable and acquisition mode. For a persistently high reading, inspect the surface for retained water, residue, or material that prevents normal drainage.

6.4 How should LMS01-MS be maintained?

• Keep the solar panel clean and unobstructed.
• Inspect the antenna, enclosure, connectors, cable, and drip loop.
• Confirm that the support remains secure and does not cover the sensing surface.
• Check that the sensor still matches the intended crop height, angle, orientation, and exposure.
• Do not scratch, paint, coat, or permanently cover the sensing surface.
• Repeat the installation check after moving or reinstalling the sensor.

For enrollment, Region, gateway connectivity, general power, or firmware-update questions, see the general Mesh FAQ.

7. Order Info

Ordering details and Region-specific part numbers for LMS01-MS will be added when the product options are finalized.

8. Packing Info

Package contents, dimensions, and weights for LMS01-MS will be added in a future documentation update.

9. Support

Dragino support is available Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 GMT+8. When requesting assistance, provide the product model, firmware identification, Region, sensor orientation, installation conditions, and the steps required to reproduce the problem.

Contact: Support@dragino.cc