VRI Prescription Mapping for Standardized Sprinkler Zone Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating VRI prescription maps face challenges in managing zoning due to inconsistencies in spatial distribution maps of water deficit acquired by different data sources, leading to difficulties in standardizing VRI management decision support systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating VRI prescription maps that determine minimum management zones based on sprinkler information and crop water deficit or soil water holding capacity, using a combination of UAV-based thermal imaging, ground-based sensors, and grid sampling to ensure uniform irrigation, and integrate sprinkler travel speed and solenoid valve duty cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If spatial distribution maps of water deficit are acquired by different methods (grid sampling, ground-based sensors, UAV-based cameras), then data coverage and resolution vary, but the resulting maps have inconsistent spatial distribution characteristics (clustering vs. numerical discretization), making standardized management zoning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal management zoning method that can process spatial distribution maps from multiple different data sources (grid sampling, ground-based sensors, UAV-based cameras) using the same algorithmic framework. The method determines minimum management zone dimensions based on sprinkler system parameters rather than data source characteristics, enabling standardized processing across different measurement technologies with varying spatial distribution characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the management zoning approach by changing from data-source-specific methods to parameter-based methods. Instead of adapting to the spatial distribution characteristics of each data source, the system uses sprinkler system parameters (spray radius, sprinkler spacing, travel speed) to determine management zone dimensions, thereby standardizing the zoning process across different data acquisition methods.
2Manufacturing precision
If the field is divided into many small management sub-zones to maximize irrigation precision, then irrigation control becomes more precise, but the complexity of generating and implementing VRI prescription maps increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the field into management sub-zones based on objective criteria derived from sprinkler system parameters rather than arbitrary or overly fine divisions. By determining minimum management zone dimensions based on spray radius and sprinkler spacing, the system creates a reasonable segmentation that balances irrigation precision with operational feasibility, avoiding excessive subdivision that would complicate VRI prescription map generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by determining minimum management zone dimensions rather than creating the finest possible zones. This approach achieves sufficient irrigation precision for practical purposes while avoiding the excessive subdivision that would lead to unmanageable complexity in VRI prescription map generation and implementation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If minimum management zone dimensions are determined based on sprinkler system parameters (spray radius, sprinkler spacing, travel speed), then standardized VRI prescription maps can be generated, but the method becomes more complex compared to simple interpolation approaches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary determination of minimum management zone dimensions based on sprinkler system parameters before generating the VRI prescription map. By pre-calculating zone dimensions using spray radius, sprinkler spacing, and travel speed, the system establishes a standardized framework that simplifies subsequent prescription map generation, even though the preliminary step adds some complexity to the overall process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for generating a variable rate irrigation (VRI) prescription map for a large sprinkler irrigation system is provided. The method includes: determining a minimum length of a VRI management zone along a truss direction of the sprinkler irrigation system; determining a minimum angle of the VRI management zone along a travel direction of the sprinkler irrigation system; dividing the VRI management zone to generate a VRI management zoning map; determining, according to a basic irrigation amount of VRI management and a spatial distribution map of crop water deficit or a spatial distribution map of soil water holding capacity (SWHC), an irrigation quota of each management sub-zone; and generating, according to a distribution map of irrigation quotas of all management sub-zones in combination with a travel speed of the sprinkler irrigation system and a duty cycle of a solenoid valve, the VRI prescription map.