UAS and Soil Sensor Fusion for Golf Course Hydrology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water conservation methods for unique topographical sites, such as golf courses, lack precision and efficiency due to site-specific water requirements and varying vegetation, necessitating a more effective monitoring and data collection system to establish tailored irrigation schedules.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with an onboard imaging unit and ground-based soil moisture sensors to collect and combine aerial image data and moisture data, generating an assay report for establishing a long-term water conservation program, with the UAS flown along a customized route and controlled using GPS or a ground-based controller, and image data processed to create Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional water conservation methods are used for golf courses, then water usage can be monitored at a general level, but precision and efficiency are insufficient due to site-specific variations in topography and vegetation
Solution Approach 1:
The golf course is divided into multiple topographical sites or zones, each with its own hydrological characteristics. The system collects and analyzes data for each zone separately, enabling precision monitoring tailored to specific areas rather than treating the entire course uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring system integrates multiple functions including aerial imaging, soil moisture sensing, hydrological data collection, and assay report generation into a single comprehensive platform that can handle diverse monitoring needs across different topographical zones.
2Loss of information
If aerial survey missions are conducted to collect hydrological data, then site-specific water requirements can be identified, but flight time and operational duration are constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection during the aerial survey flight by capturing imaging data and soil moisture readings. This preliminary action ensures that essential hydrological information is gathered during the limited flight window, allowing for subsequent detailed analysis without requiring extended flight time.
Solution Approach 2:
The aerial survey captures comprehensive data across the entire golf course area, potentially collecting more data than immediately necessary. This excessive action ensures complete coverage and redundancy, allowing the system to work with full datasets even when flight time is constrained.
3Measurement precision
If UAS is used for low-level aerial surveillance, then precision data collection is improved, but flight altitude constraints and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The UAS system operates with a degree of autonomy, executing pre-programmed flight paths and data collection protocols. The system self-manages the low-level surveillance mission, reducing the need for constant manual intervention and simplifying operation despite the precision requirements.
4Reliability
If comprehensive hydrological assessment is performed across the entire golf course, then water conservation program effectiveness is improved, but time and resources required for data collection increase
Solution Approach 1:
The golf course is segmented into multiple topographical zones that can be assessed independently. This allows the comprehensive hydrological assessment to be broken down into manageable sections, reducing the time required for complete data collection while maintaining overall program reliability through systematic coverage of all zones.
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
This approach enables precise monitoring of hydrological conditions, allowing for optimized water usage and reduced operational costs by dividing the site into irrigation stations that can be individually or collectively managed based on the assay report, effectively minimizing excessive water usage and enhancing water conservation.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging unit for collecting hydrological data in the form of image data of a surface area of the topographical site
Implementation Method 2
combining remotely acquired aerial image data of the site with soil moisture data taken directly from the site
Implementation Method 3
image data processed to create Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) images
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for performing an aerial hydrological-assay of a topographical site require the use of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for collecting image data of the site. Included in a system for the present invention is a ground-based soil moisture sensor for collecting moisture data at the site. A computer is then used to combine the image data and the moisture data to create an assay report on hydrological conditions at the site. The assay report is used to implement a water conservation plan for the topographical site which efficiently and efficaciously controls water usage at the site.