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