Validating Irrigation ET with Local Sensor Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Irrigation systems face inaccuracies in calculating Evapotranspiration (ET) due to weather data being measured at locations different from the irrigation area, leading to sub-optimal irrigation, as physical weather measuring devices may not accurately represent local conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method that combines calculated weather values from multiple data sources with sensed weather values at the target location to validate and adjust control values for resource demand systems, such as irrigation systems, using weather measurement systems located outside the irrigation area and sensors to provide accurate ET calculations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If weather data is collected from remote locations or non-local sources, then the system can obtain weather information without installing physical weather stations at every irrigation area, but the accuracy of ET calculations decreases because the weather measurements do not represent local conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple weather data sources (remote weather stations, satellite data, and local sensor data) to create a comprehensive weather dataset. By merging data from various sources including non-local stations and local sensors, the system achieves both ease of data collection and improved accuracy through data integration and validation
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by comparing calculated ET values from remote weather data with actual measured values from local sensors. This feedback loop allows the system to validate and adjust the accuracy of remote weather data, improving ET calculation precision while maintaining the benefit of using remote data sources
2Measurement precision
If physical weather measuring devices are installed at the irrigation area, then the accuracy of local weather measurements improves, but the complexity and cost of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the system universally applicable by designing it to work with multiple types of data sources (remote weather stations, satellite data, and optional local sensors). The system can function effectively with just remote data sources, but can also incorporate local sensors when available, providing multi-functionality that reduces complexity while maintaining accuracy options
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that receives and validates weather data from multiple sources. This intermediary layer processes remote weather data and compares it with local sensor measurements, reducing the need for complex local weather station installations while maintaining measurement accuracy through intelligent data mediation
3Ease of operation
If remote weather data is used for irrigation control, then the system can operate without local weather stations, but the reliability of irrigation decisions decreases due to inaccurate ET estimates
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges remote weather data with local sensor measurements to create a more reliable ET calculation. By combining multiple data sources, the system maintains ease of operation while improving reliability through validated and adjusted weather data that better represents local conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from local sensor measurements to validate and adjust remote weather data. This feedback mechanism ensures that irrigation control decisions are based on reliable, validated ET estimates while maintaining the operational simplicity of using remote data sources
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of controlling a resource demand system are disclosed. One method includes obtaining weather data from at least one data source that collects weather data at a plurality of areas. A weather value for a target location is calculated from the weather data. A weather value is sensed for the target location. The calculated weather value is compared with the sensed weather value to validate at least one of the calculated weather value and the sensed weather value, and a control value is calculated based on at least one of the calculated weather value and the sensed weather value.