CHAAC – Smart Irrigation Through Cosmic Insight

What is CHAAC?

Named after the Mayan god of rain, CHAAC is a breakthrough irrigation management system that fuses cosmic-ray neutron sensors (CRNS), AI-trained software, and evapotranspiration models to deliver real-time, field-level irrigation insights.

Unlike traditional sensors, CHAAC does not need to be buried in the ground. Instead, it captures cosmic-ray neutrons interacting with hydrogen atoms in soil water. Because hydrogen is a key marker of water presence, CHAAC can accurately measure soil moisture up to 70 cm deep and over a 60-hectare area per sensor, non-invasively and continuously.

Key Features:

• Real-time, high-resolution data on soil moisture and irrigation needs.

• AI-based adaptation to local soils, crops, and climate events.

• Seamless integration with existing irrigation systems, including automated controllers.

• Forecasts of energy demand related to irrigation, supporting infrastructure planning and grid management.

Advantages Over Traditional Solutions:

• No underground installation—reduced setup and maintenance costs.

• Wider spatial coverage—one sensor can represent entire fields.

• Independence from satellite timing or weather stations—constant, on-site data.

• Lower total cost of ownership—fewer devices needed for large areas.

• Scalable from small farms to large-scale corporate and government programs.

• Energy insight—predicts upcoming irrigation-related energy use for smarter planning.