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2017
Journal Article
Titel
Automatic filling of field activities register, from challenge into reality
Abstract
Operational monitoring includes all those tasks performed to observe, survey and report all the information necessary to get an overview of the operational processes carried out during a specific field activity. The focus of this research is to develop a complete system able to collect and interpret all the operative parameters, for each different agricultural operations, in order to obtain information suitable to carry out management and strategical decisions. In short, the aim of the research is to develop a new concept of intelligent system supporting Precision Farming applications, capable to translate ex post actual operative parameters into information, so as to automatically perform an objectivity compilation of the field activities register. Through this system the farmer is able to have, on demand, updated information to be used for certification and traceability processes, as well as to satisfy any other management task, including the estimation of the actual operative costs at the farm. The solution here proposed is based on the identification of working processes through a tractor-oriented approach, where the power unit is equipped with a GNSS-data logger and an identification system acting as a detector able to recognize the coupled implements (on their turn equipped with a RF-transmitter sending identifying codes) and the related operations. Both devices are provided with an accelerometer to allow them to switch on only when they record a vibration. The raw data are collected with a frequency of 0.2 Hz fixing and compressed in data packets formed by geographical coordinates, day and hour of detection, and coupling information. Data-packets are then sent to a server, thanks to a GPRS-modem integrated into the GNSS-data logger, where they are finally stored into a relational database.