GNSS Control System for Irrigation Boom Attitude Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing GNSS control systems for agricultural irrigation are expensive, complex, and prone to inaccuracies, and lack efficient methods for guiding irrigation equipment to cover field corners and adapt to various field configurations, including elongated rectangular fields and obstacle avoidance.
Innovation Solution
A GNSS control system utilizing a single-receiver, two-antenna vector system with a base antenna on the main irrigation boom and a rover antenna on an extension boom, which pivots to cover field corners, combined with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) correction signals for precise positioning and attitude determination, allowing for selective control of spray nozzles and obstacle avoidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS guidance systems are used for irrigation equipment, then positioning capability is improved, but system cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple GPS receivers into a single receiver that processes signals from multiple antennas, merging previously separate positioning functions into one integrated unit. This reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to determine both position and orientation of irrigation equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The single GPS receiver is designed to perform multiple functions: determining position, calculating orientation, and providing guidance data for both center-pivot and linear irrigation equipment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized systems for different irrigation types.
2Device complexity
If traditional encoder-based guidance is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical encoder systems with an electronic GPS-based orientation determination system. Instead of using physical encoders to track boom rotation, the system uses GPS position data from multiple antennas to calculate orientation, eliminating mechanical components while improving accuracy.
3Device complexity
If single-antenna GPS systems are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but heading determination accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from single-antenna 2D positioning to multi-antenna 3D spatial configuration analysis. By arranging multiple antennas in specific geometric patterns and analyzing their relative positions, the system derives orientation information in addition to position, enabling accurate heading determination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If GPS-based orientation systems are used, then independence from vehicle sensors is achieved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the orientation determination function from vehicle-specific sensors and implements it as a standalone GPS-based system. By removing dependence on individual vehicle sensor systems, the solution becomes universally applicable across different irrigation equipment types while using commercially available GPS components.
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
The system provides accurate and reliable guidance for irrigation equipment, enabling efficient coverage of field corners and adapting to different field configurations, reducing operational costs and improving precision compared to previous systems.
Implementation Method 1
Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), including global positioning systems (GPS), have also been used for center pivot irrigation monitoring and guidance
Implementation Method 2
When accomplished with two antennas at a fixed spacing, an angular rotation may be computed using the position differences. In an exemplary embodiment, two antennas placed in the horizontal plane may be employed to compute a heading (rotation about a vertical axis) from a position displacement.
Data Source
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AI summary
A global navigation satellite sensor system (GNSS) control system and method for irrigation and related applications is provided for a boom assembly with main and extension boom sections, which are hingedly connected and adapted for folding. The control system includes an antenna and a receiver connected to the antenna. A rover antenna is mounted on the boom extension section and is connected to the receiver. A processor receives GNSS positioning signals from the receiver and computes locations for the antennas, for which a vector indicating an attitude of the extension boom section can be computed. Various boom arrangements and field configurations are accommodated by alternative aspects of the control system.