Variable Application Rate Data Grid for Agricultural Precision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional agricultural practices result in non-optimal treatment rates of treatment products over the entire width of the application system, leading to inefficient use of resources and increased costs due to over-treatment or under-treatment of agricultural fields.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system for providing variable application rate data for at least two application means of an application system, which involves generating a grid of application polygons and determining variable application rates based on application configuration parameters, position/movement data, and product application data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the application rate is determined only at the mounting position of the global positioning receiver, then the system complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision and measurement precision of application rates across the entire application system width deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The application system width is divided into multiple measurement positions (at least two) spaced across the entire width of the application system. Each position has its own global positioning receiver that independently determines application rates, eliminating the need for complex interpolation while improving measurement precision across the full width.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point measurement (at receiver mounting position) to multi-point measurement across the width dimension. By adding spatial distribution of measurement positions across the application system width, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without increasing operational complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the application rate is constant over the whole width of the application system, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the productivity and loss of substance increase due to over-treatment or under-treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines different application rates at different positions across the application system width based on local field conditions. Each measurement position independently assesses local heterogeneity (soil texture, organic matter, vegetation indices) and applies locally-optimized rates, preventing both over-treatment and under-treatment while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The application rate parameter is made variable across different positions of the application system width rather than being constant. By changing the application rate parameter locally at each measurement position based on field heterogeneity, the system reduces substance loss while remaining easy to manufacture and operate.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurement positions are placed across the entire width of the application system, then the measurement precision and manufacturing precision of application rates are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The application system is segmented into multiple independent measurement positions, each with its own global positioning receiver. This segmentation allows each position to independently determine application rates based on local conditions, improving measurement precision while keeping individual receiver units simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each global positioning receiver at different positions performs the same universal function of determining application rates based on local field conditions. This multi-functionality approach allows the system to achieve comprehensive coverage and high measurement precision using identical, simple receiver units rather than complex centralized systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method for providing variable application rate data for at least two application means of an application system of an application device for applying a treatment product onto an agricultural field, comprising: providing application configuration parameter data for the at least two application means of the application system of the application device; providing position and/or movement data of the application device; providing product application data comprising spatial information about the target application amount for the treatment product to be applied onto the agricultural field; generating a grid of application polygons; and determining variable application rate data for each of the at least two application means of the application system of the application device based on the application configuration parameter data, the position and/or movement data, and the product application data, wherein the variable application rate data is determined for each application polygon in the generated grid.