Integrated GNSS Steering Control to Simplify Farm Guidance Hardware
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity and cost of precision farming guidance systems are increased by the number of discrete chassis and circuit boards, each housing electronics for processing, sensors, and GPS/GNSS, leading to increased manufacturing processes and overall expense.
Innovation Solution
A single processor hardware device is integrated with sensors, network interfaces, and GNSS front-end radio frequency conditioning, leveraging spare processing power to host steering algorithms and other functions, reducing the need for multiple components and enclosures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple discrete chassis and circuit boards are used for processing, sensors, and GPS/GNSS, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple discrete components (GPS/GNSS receiver, inertial measurement unit, steering actuator, and processing units) into a single integrated guidance system chassis. This consolidation maintains functional reliability by preserving all necessary subsystems while reducing system complexity through unified architecture, fewer connectors, and simplified manufacturing processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated guidance system chassis serves multiple functions simultaneously: it houses GPS/GNSS reception, inertial measurement, steering control, and data processing capabilities. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated chassis for each function, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive operational reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple discrete chassis and circuit boards are used, then functional capabilities are improved, but manufacturing processes and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functional capabilities (GPS/GNSS processing, inertial measurement, steering actuation, and control logic) into a single integrated chassis, reducing the number of manufacturing steps, connectors, and assembly operations required while preserving all necessary functional capabilities for precision agricultural guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal guidance system chassis is designed to perform multiple functions within a single unit, including satellite signal reception, inertial data acquisition, steering control, and communication interfacing. This multi-functional approach simplifies manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate production and assembly processes for multiple discrete components.
3Device complexity
If spare processing power of GPS/GNSS processors is leveraged, then device complexity is reduced, but processing reliability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The GPS/GNSS processor is designed to perform its primary navigation function while simultaneously executing steering control algorithms and data processing tasks. This multi-functional utilization of processing resources reduces hardware complexity by eliminating dedicated processors for each function while maintaining processing reliability through efficient resource management and prioritization protocols.
Data Source
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AI summary
An integrated computing system computes a geo-location of a vehicle based on location data generated by a GNSS receiver, operates one or more external communication interfaces, calculates a desired path for steering the vehicle based on the geo-location, and communicates the desired path to one or more external operating units via the one or more external communication interfaces. The integrated computing system may include one or more computer processing units programmed to provide shared coordinated execution of software functions that are all implemented and located within a same integrated circuit or enclosure. The integrated computing system lowers the overall cost and complexity of agricultural guidance systems by reducing and simplifying the number of chassis, boxes, connectors, power supplies, and manufacturing processes.