Boundary Converter Layout for GNSS-Independent Field Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous agricultural machines face challenges in accurately determining their position within a cultivated area due to disruptions or systematic errors in global navigation satellite systems, particularly under difficult signal reception conditions, which can lead to unintended departure from the designated area.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising converters along the boundary of the cultivated area that emit a second signal in response to an incoming first signal, allowing the agricultural machine to determine its position using a processing device, with different arrangements or conversion characteristics at various sections of the boundary to provide additional information and prevent the machine from leaving the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If GNSS is used for position determination, then the agricultural machine can determine its position in open areas, but the position determination fails completely under signal shading conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces boundary markers as intermediary objects that mediate between the agricultural machine and the boundary definition. These markers serve as local reference points that the machine can detect independently of satellite signals, providing a reliable position determination method that works under signal shading conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the satellite-based electromagnetic positioning system (GNSS) with a local marker-based detection system. This substitution eliminates dependence on external satellite signals and enables reliable position determination through local optical or electromagnetic markers that are not affected by signal shading.
2Loss of information
If uniform converters are used along the boundary, then the system is simple to implement, but additional position information cannot be provided to distinguish different boundary sections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different characteristics to converters at different boundary sections. Specific sections of the boundary are marked with distinctive converter patterns or types, enabling the agricultural machine to not only detect the boundary but also identify specific sections, thereby providing complete position information without requiring complex uniform systems throughout.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enhances the reliability of position determination and prevents the agricultural machine from leaving the cultivated area, even under challenging signal conditions, thereby improving safety and precision, without relying on satellite-based navigation systems.
Implementation Method 1
A converter is configured to emit a second signal in response to an incoming first signal
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a series of converters provided along a boundary of an agricultural cultivated area. A converter is configured to emit a second signal in response to an incoming first signal. The system also includes an autonomously driving agricultural machine including a transmitting device configured to emit the first signal in an environment of the agricultural machine, a receiving device configured to receive the second signal emitted in response to the first signal, and a processing device configured to determine a position of the agricultural machine with respect to the boundary based on the received second signal. An arrangement and/or a conversion characteristic of converters is designed differently at a first section of the boundary than at a second section of the boundary.