UAV Spatial Data for Agricultural Field Operation Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural fields are highly inhomogeneous, with varying soil types, nutrient content, moisture, and meteorological conditions, making it challenging to determine optimal conditions for machinery operation and pesticide application, leading to inefficiencies and environmental impact.
Innovation Solution
Employing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) equipped with sensors to collect spatially resolved data on meteorological and soil conditions, calculating a Meteorologically Based Deployment Index (MBEI) to guide agricultural machine operations and optimize processes like pesticide application, tillage, and harvesting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a weather station is placed at the edge of the field or in the crop to measure meteorological parameters, then the farmer receives information about these parameters, but the measurements do not reflect the actual conditions in the entire field due to significant spatial variations in temperature, humidity and wind speed
Solution Approach 1:
The field is divided into multiple spatial zones with distinct meteorological characteristics. Instead of using a single weather station, the patent implements distributed sensing across different field segments to capture spatial variations in temperature, humidity, and wind speed, allowing each zone to be monitored independently for more accurate local conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from point-based measurement (single weather station) to spatially distributed measurement by deploying multiple sensors across the field. This adds the spatial dimension to meteorological monitoring, creating a two-dimensional map of environmental conditions rather than a single representative point
2Productivity
If pesticide application is performed based on general field conditions, then the application can be completed, but the biological effectiveness is reduced in certain areas due to unfavorable local meteorological conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different pesticide application strategies to different spatial zones based on their specific meteorological conditions. Areas with favorable conditions (appropriate temperature, humidity, and wind speed) receive full application, while areas with unfavorable conditions are excluded or receive reduced application, ensuring optimal biological effectiveness in each local zone
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts pesticide application decisions in real-time based on current meteorological conditions in each field zone. The application map is continuously updated as conditions change, allowing the system to adapt to evolving environmental factors during the application process
3Ease of operation
If the field is worked uniformly without considering spatial variations in soil and plant parameters, then the management process is simpler, but precision farming objectives are not achieved and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The field is segmented into multiple management zones based on soil properties, plant parameters, and meteorological conditions. Each zone is assigned specific operational parameters for pesticide application, tillage, and harvesting, allowing precision farming practices to be implemented across different areas with tailored approaches
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors meteorological and agronomic parameters across the field and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust management decisions. Real-time data from sensors informs zone-specific operational recommendations, enabling adaptive precision farming that responds to changing conditions
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 allows for precise, energy-efficient, and environmentally friendly management of agricultural fields by identifying favorable time windows and areas for machinery use, enhancing the effectiveness and reducing the negative impact of agricultural operations.
Implementation Method 1
sensors that are present on the UAV are used to record meteorological measured values, measured values about the condition of plants and/or the soil
Implementation Method 2
The measured values are used to calculate spatially resolved values for a meteorologically based deployment index (MBEI)
Data Source
AI summary
In the procedure for identifying time windows and area sections of an agricultural field with favorable conditions for the effective and environmentally sound use and/or accessibility of agricultural machinery, meteorological measurements, measurements on the condition of plants and/or the soil are recorded with spatial resolution within the area of a field or a field section using at least one unmanned aircraft equipped with sensors.Using the recorded measurements, spatially resolved values for a meteorologically based operational index are calculated, and a respective agricultural machine is controlled and/or operated based on the spatially resolved values determined for the meteorologically based operational index; whereby the values for the meteorologically based operational index are calculated taking into account at least two measurements selected from air temperature, plant temperature; relative humidity, wind speed and direction, thermals, plant cover, vegetation density, soil moisture, soil density, soil type, surface condition, available field capacity, and available surface water, taking into account respective weighting factors.