Modular Precision Agriculture System with Distributed Computing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud-based computing systems are too slow for real-time, individual plant identification and treatment in precision agriculture, especially when dealing with multiple plants simultaneously, due to the significant computer processing capacity required.
Innovation Solution
A modular precision agriculture system with a hub and removably coupled modules that distribute computing tasks, allowing time-sensitive processing to occur locally on modules while less intensive tasks are handled by the hub, enabling faster response times and reducing data transfer lag.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If cloud-based computing systems are used for plant identification and treatment, then centralized data processing capability is improved, but real-time response speed deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the computing system into two segments: a cloud-based centralized system for non-time-sensitive data processing and local computing devices on agricultural machinery for time-sensitive processing. This segmentation allows each segment to handle appropriate tasks, with the local segment providing real-time response for plant treatment decisions while the centralized segment handles bulk data analysis and storage.
2Productivity
If more plants are treated simultaneously, then productivity is improved, but processing speed deteriorates due to increased computational load
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the computational workload by placing time-critical processing functions on local devices that can operate independently and simultaneously on multiple plants, while the centralized cloud handles aggregate data processing. This allows parallel processing across multiple plants without the computational bottleneck that would occur if all processing were centralized.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular system includes a hub and a set of modules removably coupled to the hub. The modules are physically coupled to the frame relative to each other so that each module can operate with respect to a different row of a field. An individual module includes a sensor for capturing field measurement data of individual plants along a row as the modular system moves through the geographic region. An individual module further includes a treatment mechanism for applying a treatment to the individual plants of the row based on the field measurement data before the modular system passes by the individual plants. An individual module further includes a computing device that determines the treatment based on the field measurement data and communicates data to the hub. The hub is communicatively coupled to the modules, so that it may exchange data between the modules and with a remote computing system.