Share internet fairly across smart gardens and greenhouses. Balance cameras, sensors, and controllers at once. See per device limits before expanding your monitoring network.
| Scenario | Total Down / Up | Devices | Active % | Overhead % | Safety % | Per Active Device (Down / Up) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sensor mesh + controller | 50 / 10 Mbps | 40 | 50% | 12% | 15% | ~0.96 / 0.19 Mbps |
| Greenhouse cameras | 200 / 40 Mbps | 30 | 70% | 15% | 15% | ~5.39 / 1.08 Mbps |
| Mixed garden automation | 100 / 20 Mbps | 25 | 60% | 12% | 15% | ~3.81 / 0.76 Mbps |
Smart gardens mix low data sensors with bursty devices. Moisture probes, weather stations, and irrigation timers send small packets, yet they may report together at sunrise or after rain. A controller may also pull firmware updates or sync logs to the cloud. This calculator models that peak behavior through the active percentage so you do not size your link only for averages.
Many plans advertise strong download but modest upload. Cameras, cloud dashboards, and remote viewing push data outward, especially when multiple streams start. A single 1080p stream can demand roughly 2–6 Mbps upload depending on compression and frame rate. Use reserved upload to protect other traffic, then review per active device upload to confirm your monitoring goals remain realistic.
Wireless links lose capacity to headers, retransmissions, and encryption. Greenhouses add reflections, pumps add electrical noise, and long runs create weak signals. Even wired networks experience overhead from protocol chatter and retries. The overhead and safety margin reduce raw speeds into effective bandwidth, producing a more trustworthy per device estimate than simple division.
Not every device talks continuously. Set a higher active percentage for camera-heavy sites, and a lower value for sensor meshes where reports are periodic. For example, 60% active in a 30-device greenhouse assumes about 18 devices talk at once. When adding equipment, rerun the calculator and compare per active device bandwidth to your target, keeping growth controlled and predictable.
If per device numbers are tight, reduce streams, lower video resolution, schedule uploads, or add quality of service rules. Consider separating cameras onto their own access point or VLAN to keep automation responsive. For remote plots, a dedicated gateway, better antennas, and cleaner channel selection can lift stability. In requirement mode, the needed plan results help justify upgrades with measurable headroom for future sensors. Document results to standardize future network expansions.
It estimates how many devices transmit simultaneously during busy moments. Cameras and dashboards raise it. Periodic sensors lower it. The calculator uses it to avoid sizing bandwidth only from averages.
Reserved bandwidth protects other uses like browsing, updates, and backups. It also covers unexpected spikes. Keeping a small reserve reduces congestion and makes garden automation feel more responsive.
Start with 10–15% overhead for protocol and retries. Add 10–20% safety for distance, interference, and weather. Increase both if you rely on weak Wi‑Fi, long outdoor runs, or crowded channels.
Most cameras need more upload, because video leaves your network to the cloud or viewers. Check the per active device upload result first, then lower resolution, frame rate, or number of concurrent streams if needed.
Requirement mode estimates the internet plan needed to meet a target per device bandwidth during peak activity. It is helpful when you have a performance goal and want a concrete Mbps number to compare plans.
No. It sizes bandwidth budgets, not signal quality. Outdoor coverage, cable quality, and router placement still matter. Use results to plan upgrades, then confirm with speed tests at device locations.
Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.