TARGETED IRRIGATION USING A CENTRAL PIVOT IRRIGATION SYSTEM WITH A SENSOR NETWORK

摘要

A system includes a plurality of optical sensors located along at least one pipe segment of a rotating arm that pivots around an irrigation area of a field, the plurality of optical sensors continuously monitors soil and vegetation conditions and transmits sensed data to a central computer, and a plurality of in-ground sensors scattered in the irrigation area of the field, the plurality of in-ground sensors continuously monitors soil conditions and transmits sensed data to a plurality of gateway devices located in the rotating arm, the plurality of gateway devices transmits data from the plurality of in-ground sensors to the central computer where data from the plurality of optical sensors and the plurality of in-ground sensors is integrated with external data to determine water and fertilizer needs based on which an irrigation schedule is created.

主权项

1. A system comprising:
a plurality of optical sensors located along at least one pipe segment of a rotating arm that pivots around an irrigation area of a field, wherein the plurality of optical sensors continuously monitors soil and vegetation conditions and transmits sensed data to a central computer; and a plurality of in-ground sensors scattered in the irrigation area of the field, wherein the plurality of in-ground sensors continuously monitors soil conditions and transmits sensed data to a plurality of gateway devices located in the rotating arm, wherein the plurality of gateway devices transmits data from the plurality of in-ground sensors to the central computer, wherein the central computer integrates data from the plurality of optical sensors and the plurality of in-ground sensors with external data acquired by the central computer to determine water and fertilizer needs based on which an irrigation schedule is created.