Post on 29-Jan-2016
description
Wide Area Wireless Network for
Supporting Precision AgricultureJames M. McKinion
Jeffrey L. WillersJ. N. Jenkins
USDA-ARS Genetics and Precision AgricultureResearch Unit, Mississippi State, MS
USDA-ARS Precision Agriculture Research
• Use multispectral imaging to develop maps for scouting cotton pests
• Use image processing and GIS to optimize scouting locations
• Use image processing to combine scout data with maps to determine spatially variable pesticide applications
• Have developed new statistical methodology to assess VRT applications
USDA-ARS Precision Agriculture Research
• Methodology developed requires access to high speed wireless networking on the farm for delivery and retrieval of large datasets
• Have successfully tested two wireless networks for individual farms
• Wanted to go to the next level of wireless networking to assess current technology
USDA-ARS Precision Agriculture Research
• USDA-ARS and Teletec Communications, LLC of Columbus, MS have entered into a three year contract
• High speed microwave link from Coumbus, MS connects to radio equipment at Prairie Point Road communcations tower
• High speed wireless network covering a forty mile radius with line-of-sight from the tower has been established
System Design and Characteristics
• Internet access via Teletec 18 mbps point-to-point link from 400’ tower in Columbus
• Management of system in Teletec’s operations center at Columbus
• Prairie Point Road tower has three 120º sectors each of which supports 4 mbps aggregate data rate
• System uses Motorola Canopy 900 MHz• Uplink max 1.8 mbps, Downlink max 2.1 mbps
USDA-ARS Offers
• For cooperating growers currently using precision agriculture technology --
• For growers who will adopt precision agriculture technology within the next year–
• ARS has supplied subscriber radios, micropop base station (if needed) and associated equipment for access to wireless network and Internet
Growers
• Growers have VRT equipment and yield monitors on harvest equipment
• Growers have agreed to furnish ARS with VRT application maps and harvest yield maps from their farm areas under precision agriculture regimen; ARS will use data to help evaluate statistical analysis methodology used to determine effectiveness of precision agriculture operations