scholarly journals Embedded Micro-Controller Software Design of a Cotton Harvester Yield Monitor Calibration System

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 485-495 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Pelletier ◽  
John D. Wanjura ◽  
Greg A. Holt

Several yield monitors are available for use on cotton harvesters, but none are able to maintain yield measurement accuracy across cultivars and field conditions that vary spatially and/or temporally. Thus, the utility of yield monitors as tools for on-farm research is limited unless steps are taken to calibrate the systems as cultivars and conditions change. This technical note details the embedded micro-controller software system design portion of a harvester-based yield monitor calibration system for basket-type cotton strippers. The system was based upon the use of pressure sensors to measure the weight of the basket by monitoring the static pressure in the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit. To ensure accurate weighing, the system automatically lifted the basket to a target lift height, allowed the basket time to settle, and then weighed the contents of the basket. The software running the system was split into two parts, which were run on an embedded low-level micro-controller and a mobile computer located in the harvester cab. The system was field tested under commercial conditions and found to measure basket load weights within 2.5% of the reference scale. As such, the system was proven to be capable of providing an on-board auto-correction to a yield monitor for use in multi-variety field trials.

2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Pelletier ◽  
John D. Wanjura ◽  
Greg A. Holt

Several yield monitors are available for use on cotton harvesters, but none are able to maintain yield measurement accuracy across cultivars and field conditions that vary spatially and/or temporally. Thus, the utility of yield monitors as tools for on-farm research is limited unless steps are taken to calibrate the systems as cultivars and conditions change. This technical note details the electronic system design for a harvester-based yield monitor calibration system for basket-type cotton strippers. The system was based upon the use of pressure sensors to measure the weight of the basket by monitoring the static pressure in the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit. To ensure accurate weighing, the system automatically lifted the basket to a target lift height, allowed the basket time to settle, then weighed the contents of the basket. The software running the system was split into two parts that were run on an embedded low-level micro-controller and a mobile computer located in the harvester cab. The system was field tested under commercial conditions and found to measure basket load weights within 2.5% of the reference scale. As such, the system was proven to be capable of providing an on-board auto-correction to a yield monitor for use in multi-variety field trials.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-522 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew G. Pelletier ◽  
John D. Wanjura ◽  
Greg A. Holt

Several yield monitors are available for use on cotton harvesters, but none are able to maintain yield measurement accuracy across cultivars and field conditions that vary spatially and/or temporally. Thus, the utility of yield monitors as tools for on-farm research is limited unless steps are taken to calibrate the systems as cultivars and conditions change. This technical note details the man-machine-interface software system design portion of a harvester-based yield monitor calibration system for basket-type cotton strippers. The system was based upon the use of pressure sensors to measure the weight of the basket by monitoring the static pressure in the hydraulic lift cylinder circuit. To ensure accurate weighing, the system automatically lifted the basket to a target lift height, allowed basket time to settle, then weighed the contents of the basket. The software running the system was split into two parts that were run on an embedded low-level micro-controller, and a mobile computer located in the harvester cab. The system was field tested under commercial conditions and found to measure basket load weights within 2.5% of the reference scale. As such, the system was proven to be capable of providing an on-board auto-correction to a yield monitor for use in multi-variety field trials.


2008 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 269-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry W. Griffin ◽  
Craig L. Dobbins ◽  
Tony J. Vyn ◽  
Raymond J. G. M. Florax ◽  
James M. Lowenberg-DeBoer

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Ng'ombe

Corn yields in developing countries are lower than in developed countries partly due to planting methods that involve hand dropping of multiple seeds per hill. Researchers from Oklahoma State University (OSU) recently developed the Greenseeder Hand Planter (GHP) to replace such methods. The first essay determines economic breakeven levels of seed and labor savings, increases in corn yield, and reduced loss of N through reduced ammonia volatilization. Results suggest a $50 GHP used to plant 3 hectares per year would need to increase corn yields on average by about 1.12%, use 12.19% fewer seeds, or reduce labor man-days by 38.66% to equal expected net returns from traditional methods.In the second essay, I conduct Monte Carlo experiments to measure bias in the conditional logit (CL) and independent availability logit (IAL) when there is no choice set formation and when choice sets are stochastically formed. I also compare the performance of the two models using empirical data on paddlefish angler preferences collected in Oklahoma. Both the CL and IAL work well when their own assumptions hold, but not under the alternative’s assumptions. However, the IAL produces unbiased and less efficient parameter estimates when individuals actually choose from the full set of alternatives. Empirical results suggest the IAL is able to predict the attribute-cutoff.To avoid limitations from small-scale agronomic trials, there has been a movement toward large-scale, on-farm field trials but questions remain as how best to conduct them and when it is most profitable to quit them. The third essay addresses these questions by using a fully Bayesian decision-theoretic approach. Data are from Monte Carlo simulations assuming a corn-input stochastic plateau production function. Results suggest the best way to conduct such experiments is to allocate to each of the 10% of the plots, 0 lb. of N, half of N*, and 150% of N* under a 30-plot experimental design. Results further indicate that it optimal to quit such trials in year 2. Sensitivity analysis confirms the optimal quit period but suggests such experiments are most profitable by allocating unalike N levels to all of the 30% of experimental plots.


EDIS ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Wallau ◽  
Esteban Rios ◽  
Ann Blount

Planning and preparation can increase chances of successful outcomes from demonstration plots. This 5-page publication focuses on guiding the successful establishment of demonstration trials and is targeted to county, regional, and state specialized Extension faculty who aim to develop on-farm research and demonstration sites as part of their programs. Written by Marcelo Wallau, Esteban Rios, and Ann Blount, and published by the UF/IFAS Agronomy Department, January 2021.


2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-307
Author(s):  
A. T. Omokanye ◽  
P. E. Olorunju ◽  
O. S. Onifade ◽  
L. Olaosebikan

Ten field trials were conducted on farmers' fields in five villages in sub humid environment of northern Nigeria during the 1998 and 1999 cropping seasons to test the performances of improved groundnut cultivars for forage and seed production. Farmers' preferences and reasons for preference of the cultivars were also assessed. All the selected (improved) cultivars out yielded the local (control) cultivar. Forage, pod and seed yields were greater for cultivar M343-801A, followed by cultivar 88-801 and then cultivar M516-791 in that order. With the exception of Ca concentration, other nutritive value indices measured, showed sufficient concentrations for livestock production during the critical periods of low quality and scarce forage materials. 


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