Crop Yield Measurement Device Using Signal Attenuation and Phase
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing yield monitors lack precision in estimating crop yields for specific plant rows or sections within a harvesting machine's swath, limiting their effectiveness for precise agricultural management practices such as input placement.
Innovation Solution
A measurement device comprising a transmitter and receiving antenna system, utilizing observed signal attenuation and phase changes to estimate crop yield, with the transmitter mounted on a harvester's header and receiver facing the antenna within a spatial zone to receive harvested crop, allowing for precise yield estimation of rows or sections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional yield monitors are used to estimate crop yield for the entire swath, then the measurement coverage is comprehensive, but the measurement precision for specific rows or sections is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the harvesting machine's swath into multiple discrete rows or sections, with each row equipped with its own transmitter and receiving antenna pair. This segmentation allows independent measurement of yield for each row, achieving precise row-level yield estimation while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through modular repetition of basic measurement units.
2Measurement precision
If signal attenuation is measured to estimate yield, then the measurement capability is achieved, but the signal reliability is affected by environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously measures signal attenuation between the transmitter and receiving antenna as crop material passes through, providing real-time feedback on yield. This continuous monitoring allows the system to adapt to varying conditions and maintain reliable measurements by comparing expected signal characteristics with actual measurements, filtering out environmental noise through pattern recognition.
3Productivity
If real-time yield data is provided for each row, then the agricultural management precision is improved, but the data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical yield measurement systems with electromagnetic signal-based measurement. By using radio frequency signals that pass through crop material and measuring their attenuation, the system obtains real-time yield data for each row without mechanical contact, simplifying the measurement mechanism while enabling detailed row-level data collection for improved agricultural management.
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
Enables precise estimation of crop yield for rows or sections, improving the accuracy of agricultural management practices by providing real-time data on crop yield distribution within the harvesting machine's swath.
Implementation Method 1
A transmitter is provided which provides a transmitted signal at a frequency to a transmitting antenna. The transmitting antenna comprises a radiating element separated from a first ground plane by a first dielectric layer.
Implementation Method 2
An electronic data processor is adapted to measure an observed parameter of the transmitted signal between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to estimate the precise yield, where the observed parameter comprises observed attenuation, phase, or both of the transmitted signal
Implementation Method 3
The transmitting antenna comprises a radiating element separated from a first ground plane by a first dielectric layer. The receiving antenna comprises a receiving element separated from a second ground plane by a second dielectric layer.
Data Source
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AI summary
The measurement device comprises a transmitter (20) for providing a transmitted signal at a frequency. The transmitter provides the transmitted signal to the transmitting antenna (20). A receiving antenna (28) is arranged to receive the transmitted signal. A receiver (26) is capable of receiving the transmitted signal from the receiving antenna. An electronic data processor (38) is adapted to measure an observed parameter of the transmitted signal between the transmitting antenna and the receiving antenna to estimate the precise yield, where the observed parameter comprises observed attenuation, phase or both of the transmitted signal, as received at the receiver.