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SIP (Sustainable Irrigation Platform) is an open-source Python application for Raspberry Pi that controls irrigation systems, sprinklers, drip lines and related devices. It provides a responsive browser UI and a plugin architecture to extend functionality for sensors, integrations and custom hardware.

Key Features

• Runs on Raspberry Pi using Python 3 with a built-in web UI accessible from desktop and mobile browsers
• Scheduling engine for timed station activation and calendar-based watering
• Plugin architecture for extensibility (examples: Node-RED integration, MQTT support, mobile_app plugin, System_Update)
• Supports multiple hardware interfaces: GPIO-driven relay boards, OpenSprinkler, and DIY relay interfaces for large station counts
• Remote control and automation via HTTP GET commands and plugin-driven messaging
• Multilingual UI and lightweight bundled Python web server components for easy deployment on Pi OS
• Can control pumps, lights and other irrigation-related equipment via relay outputs

Use Cases

• Automate garden or lawn irrigation with zone-based schedules and seasonal adjustments
• Manage hydroponics or greenhouse pumps and lighting with timed schedules and external triggers
• Integrate with home automation systems (Node-RED or MQTT) to create advanced flows and remote monitoring

Limitations and Considerations

• Primary development and testing target is Raspberry Pi; support for other boards (BeagleBone Black, Odroid) is limited
• Advanced integrations (MQTT, Node-RED) require enabling/installing plugins and additional configuration
• Hardware scaling beyond Pi GPIO requires external relay interfaces or controller boards; GPIO pin count can limit native station count

SIP is a practical, low-cost platform for DIY irrigation and related automation projects, emphasizing extensibility through plugins and simple web-based control. It is best suited for users comfortable with Raspberry Pi, basic Linux administration, and occasional hardware configuration.