Resilient Antenna Mast for Crop Height Signal Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna systems in agricultural fields face unreliable wireless signal propagation due to being mounted lower than the crop height, making them susceptible to attenuation from terrain and vegetation, and are not cost-effective to remove and reinstall for routine agricultural tasks.
Innovation Solution
An antenna system with a resilient mast design featuring a lower mast member and an upper mast member connected by a resilient member, allowing the upper mast to pivot relative to the lower mast, secured by transverse members, which can flex to maintain signal integrity and withstand external forces without permanent deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the antenna is mounted lower than the average crop height or crop canopy, then the antenna can avoid damage from irrigation systems, sprayers or other agricultural equipment, but the propagation of wireless signals becomes unreliable due to attenuation from terrain, crops, and other vegetation
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna mast incorporates a resilient member that allows the upper mast member to dynamically pivot relative to the lower mast member. This dynamic capability enables the antenna to automatically return to a vertical position after being displaced by agricultural equipment, maintaining optimal signal propagation without permanent damage or requiring removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast structure changes its structural parameters by using a resilient member that allows controlled deformation. When force is applied by agricultural equipment, the mast pivots within elastic limits, then returns to its original configuration, maintaining both mechanical integrity and signal propagation reliability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the antenna is mounted lower than the average crop height or crop canopy, then the antenna can avoid damage from irrigation systems, sprayers or other agricultural equipment, but signal attenuation from terrain, crops, and other vegetation reduces wireless signal reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient member provides dynamic movement capability, allowing the antenna to pivot away from potential damage zones and automatically return to its operational position. This dynamic response protects the antenna while maintaining signal propagation reliability.
3Reliability
If antennas are removed from the field prior to performing certain agricultural tasks and reinstalled after, then damage from irrigation systems and equipment can be avoided, but this is not cost effective for routine agricultural tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna mast serves itself by automatically responding to external forces through the resilient member's elastic deformation and recovery. The structure protects itself from damage without requiring human intervention for removal and reinstallation, improving productivity and cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic pivot capability allows the antenna to automatically adapt to the presence of agricultural equipment, eliminating the need for manual removal and reinstallation while maintaining protection from damage.
4Reliability
If a rigid mast structure is used to maintain antenna position above crop height, then wireless signal reliability is improved, but the structure cannot withstand external forces without permanent deformation or damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mast structure changes its effective rigidity parameter by incorporating a resilient member that provides flexibility under external forces while maintaining vertical alignment for signal propagation. The structure transitions from a completely rigid state to a controlled flexible state and back, preserving both signal reliability and force resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The mast combines rigid components (upper and lower mast members) with a resilient component (spring or elastomer), creating a composite structure that exhibits both structural integrity for signal propagation and flexibility for withstanding external forces.
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 antenna system enhances wireless signal reliability by positioning the antenna above crop height, reducing signal attenuation, and automatically returning to a stable position after external contact, ensuring continuous communication between field devices and central locations without the need for frequent installation and removal.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient member establishes a movable connection between the lower mast member and the upper mast member, in which the upper mast member can form a pivot angle with respect to the lower mast member
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an antenna system comprises a lower mast member that has a first transverse member mounted in an interior of the lower mast member. An upper mast member has a second transverse member mounted in the interior of the upper mast member. A resilient member establishes a movable connection between the lower mast member and the upper mast member, in which the upper mast member can form a pivot angle with respect to the lower mast member. The resilient member is secured or retained axially by the first transverse member and the second transverse member.