Navigation and Applicability of Hexa Rotor Drones in Greenhouse Environment

The paper discusses use-cases and a broad description of application possibilities of drones in greenhouses. Unmanned autonomous aerial vehicles (UAV), i.e. drones, are being used increasingly often for the direct or indirect collection of data. GPS navigation cannot be applied in an indoor work environment. One of the alternatives is to measure the distance from a fixed set of sensors with known positions. The paper presents a dynamic model for a hexa-rotor drone. In order to ensure reliable navigation a new navigation algorithm is presented based on the two-dimensional navigation algorithm of the robot motion control. It demonstrates the development of a threedimensional navigation algorithm for the hexa-rotor drone with the hypothesis that the elaborate three-dimensional model can navigate the drone in an indoor environment. To prove the hypothesis, the simulation is implemented in Scilab environment with information about the flight path deviation from the planned routes, which is also given in the work

Photovoltaics and Electrification in Agriculture

Integration of photovoltaics and electrification in agriculture. Works on the integration of photovoltaics in agriculture, as well as electrification and microgrids in agriculture. In addition, some works on sustainability in agriculture are added

A Distributed Intelligent Sensing Approach for Environmental Monitoring Applications

Scientific reports from around the world present us with the undeniable fact that the global ecosystem is undergoing severe change. As this shift accelerates, it is ever more critical that we are able to quantify the local effects of such changes, and further, their implications, from our daily life to the biological processes that put food on our tables. In this thesis, we study the application of sensor network technology to the observation and estimation of highly local phenomena---specifically at a scale between ten to several hundred square meters. Embedding knowledge about the observed process directly into the sensor nodes' behavior via dedicated resource management or control algorithms allows us to deploy dense networks with low power requirements. Ecological systems are notoriously complex. In our work we must thus be highly experimental; it is our highest goal that we construct an approach to environmental monitoring that is not only realistic, but practical for real-world use. Our approach is centered on a commercially available sensor network product, aided by an off-the-shelf quadrotor with minimal customization. We validate our approach through a series of experiments performed from simulation all the way to reality, in deployments lasting days to several months. We motivate the need for local data via two case studies examining physical phenomena. First, employing novel modalities, we study the eclosion of a common agricultural pest. We present our efforts to acquire data that is more local than commonly employed methods, culminating in a six month deployment in a Swiss apple orchard. Next, we apply a environmental fluid dynamics model to enable the estimation of sensible heat flux using an inexpensive sensor. We integrate the sensor with a wireless sensor network and validate its capabilities in a short-term deployment. Acquiring meaningful data on a local scale requires that we advance the state of the art in multiple aspects. Static sensor networks present a classical tension between resolution, autonomy, and accuracy. We explore the performance of algorithms aimed at providing all three, showing explicitly what is required to implement these approaches for real-world applications in an autonomous deployment under uncontrolled conditions. Eventually, spatial resolution is limited by network density. Such limits may be overcome by the use of mobile sensors. We explore the use of an off-the-shelf quadrotor, equipped with environmental sensors, as an additional element in system of heterogeneous sensing nodes. Through a series of indoor and outdoor experiments, we quantify the contribution of a such a mobile sensor, and various strategies for planning its path

Tecnología open-hardware para la parametrización ambiental en aplicaciones de Ingeniería

El desarrollo del open-hardware ha proporcionado una nueva herramienta para mejorar el sistema de monitorización de otros sistemas. En la actualidad la sociedad está inmersa en una implementación de sistemas capaces de proporcionar una gran cantidad de datos del entorno, los cuales nos ayudan al estudio y entendimiento de este. En esta tesis doctoral se estudia la capacidad de estas plataformas libres en tres campos como son el Agronómico , Conservación Cultural e Industrial. Se ha procedido a una comprobación y una validación posterior en cada uno de los campos anteriormente citados. Los resultados obtenidos han sido positivos, siendo similares a los obtenidos por equipos comerciales. Esto nos lleva a la conclusión de que estas nuevas plataformas son el futuro, no sólo por su menor precio, sino por su gran capacidad de modificación y adaptación que las plataformas comerciales cerradas no permiten.The development of open hardware has provided new tool to improve system to monitor other system. Nowadays the society is immersed in an implementation of systems provide a large amount of data of the environment, which help us to study and understand it. This doctoral thesis studies the capacity of these free platforms in three differents scenarios as Agronomic, Cultural Heritage and Industrial. A pre-selection of the components and a subsequent verification and validation has been carried out in each of the aforementioned fields. The result obtained have been positives, being similar to those obtained by commercial equipment. This leads us to the conclusion that these new platforms are the future, not only for its lower price, but for its great capacity of modification and adaptation that the closed commercial platforms do not allow

Sviluppo di modelli decisionali per la supply chain di prodotti deperibili mediante l’applicazione di tecnologie innovative

The supply chain of perishable products, as fruits and vegetables is affected by environmental abuses from harvest to the final destination which are responsible the uncontrolled deterioration of food. In order to reduce such phenomena the supply chain members should control and monitor the conditions of goods in order to ensure their quality for consumers and to comply with all legal requirements (Garcia Ruiz, 2008). The most important factor influencing the food quality is the temperature able to prolonging the shelf life of the products. Since the temperature can inhibit or promote the maturation and deterioration process, this parameter is involved both in the growing process of fruits and vegetables and in the transport and storage stages. Given this the aim of the present thesis is to show that the monitoring of such parameter during the pre and post harvest stages allows to improve the decision making process. In the context of temperature monitoring the introduction of emerging information technologies such as the Wireless Sensors Networks and the Radio Frequency Identification can now provide real-time status knowing of product managed. The real time monitoring can be of great help in the definition of the actual maturation level of products both in the field and during the cold chain. The suitability of such an approach is evaluated by means of case studies. The first case study concerns the monitoring of grapes growth directly in the vineyard. The suitability of Wireless Sensors Networks in the monitoring of the grapes growth process is evaluated in terms of the possibility to determine the date of starting or ending of phenological phases. This information allows to make faster decisions about the vineyard operations which must be performed during the grape growth and finally allows to predict the maturation date in order to optimize the harvest operations. In the next case study the possibility to apply the Radio Frequency Identification technology to the monitoring of the fresh fruits along the cold chain has been faced and the quality of the products at any stage of the supply chain has been determined through a mathematical model. The knowing of the current quality level allows to make decisions about the destination of products. In this case those products having a shorter shelf life can be distributed to a local market while those with longer shelf life can be distributed to more distant location. In the next case study the information about the current deterioration state of perishable products has been translated into a warehouse management system in order to determine the operational parameters able to optimize the quality of products stored. Even in this case the goal of the study was to provide a decision making tool for the proper management of the perishable products stored. However besides the advantages achievable by the real time evaluation of environmental conditions the costs involved with the implementation of innovative technologies must be determined in order to establish the suitability of the investment in such innovative technologies. The present thesis also faces this question by determining the optimal number of devices to apply to the stock keeping unit in order to minimize the total cost associated to the transferring batch from the producer to the distributor. In this case the methodology employed is that of a mathematical model including all costs associated to the product management. Finally the study conducted through the present thesis shows that in all of the cases treated the use of the innovative technologies allows to support the decision making process in the pre and post harvest phases thus improving the perishables management

Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming

This book provides a review of precision agriculture technology development, followed by a presentation of the state-of-the-art and future requirements of precision agriculture technology. It presents different styles of precision agriculture technologies suitable for large scale mechanized farming; highly automated community-based mechanized production; and fully mechanized farming practices commonly seen in emerging economic regions. The book emphasizes the introduction of core technical features of sensing, data processing and interpretation technologies, crop modeling and production control theory, intelligent machinery and field robots for precision agriculture production

Precision Agriculture Technology for Crop Farming

This book provides a review of precision agriculture technology development, followed by a presentation of the state-of-the-art and future requirements of precision agriculture technology. It presents different styles of precision agriculture technologies suitable for large scale mechanized farming; highly automated community-based mechanized production; and fully mechanized farming practices commonly seen in emerging economic regions. The book emphasizes the introduction of core technical features of sensing, data processing and interpretation technologies, crop modeling and production control theory, intelligent machinery and field robots for precision agriculture production

Sustainable Agriculture and Advances of Remote Sensing (Volume 2)

Agriculture, as the main source of alimentation and the most important economic activity globally, is being affected by the impacts of climate change. To maintain and increase our global food system production, to reduce biodiversity loss and preserve our natural ecosystem, new practices and technologies are required. This book focuses on the latest advances in remote sensing technology and agricultural engineering leading to the sustainable agriculture practices. Earth observation data, in situ and proxy-remote sensing data are the main source of information for monitoring and analyzing agriculture activities. Particular attention is given to earth observation satellites and the Internet of Things for data collection, to multispectral and hyperspectral data analysis using machine learning and deep learning, to WebGIS and the Internet of Things for sharing and publication of the results, among others

Smart data management with BIM for Architectural Heritage

In the last years smart buildings topic has received much attention as well as Building Information Modelling (BIM) and interoperability as independent fields. Linking these topics is an essential research target to help designers and stakeholders to run processes more efficiently. Working on a smart building requires the use of Innovation and Communication Technology (ICT) to optimize design, construction and management. In these terms, several technologies such as sensors for remote monitoring and control, building equipment, management software, etc. are available in the market. As BIM provides an enormous amount of information in its database and theoretically it is able to work with all kind of data sources using interoperability, it is essential to define standards for both data contents and format exchange. In this way, a possibility to align research activity with Horizon 2020 is the investigation of energy saving using ICT. Unfortunately, comparing the Architecture Engineering and Construction (AEC) Industry with other sectors it is clear how in the building field advanced information technology applications have not been adopted yet. However in the last years, the adoption of new methods for the data management has been investigated by many researchers. So, basing on the above considerations, the main purpose of this thesis is investigate the use of BIM methodology relating to existing buildings concerning on three main topics: • Smart data management for architectural heritage preservation; • District data management for energy reduction; • The maintenance of highrises. For these reasons, data management acquires a very important value relating to the optimization of the building process and it is considered the most important goal for this research. Taking into account different kinds of architectural heritage, the attention is focused on the existing and historical buildings that usually have characterized by several constraints. Starting from data collection, a BIM model was developed and customized in function of its objectives, and providing information for different simulation tests. Finally, data visualization was investigated through the Virtual Reality(VR) and Augmented Reality (AR). Certainly, the creation of a 3D parametric model implies that data is organized according to the use of individual users that are involved in the building process. This means that each 3D model can be developed with different Levels of Detail/Development (LODs) basing on the goal of the data source. Along this thesis the importance of LODs is taken into account related to the kind of information filled in a BIM model. In fact, basing on the objectives of each project a BIM model can be developed in a different way to facilitate the querying data for the simulations tests.\ud The three topics were compared considering each step of the building process workflow, highlighting the main differences, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of BIM methodology. In these terms, the importance to set a BIM template before the modelling step was pointed out, because it provides the possibility to manage information in order to be collected and extracted for different purposes and by specific users. Moreover, basing on the results obtained in terms of the 3D parametric model and in terms of process, a proper BIM maturity level was determined for each topic. Finally, the value of interoperability was arisen from these tests considering that it provided the opportunity to develop a framework for collaboration, involving all parties of the building industry