ABEN 198 - AB Automation and Instrumentation

Agricultural automation

refers to the integration of various technologies, including sensors, robotics, and automation systems, into farming processes to improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and increase productivity

Automation in Agriculture and Biosystems

refers to the use of technology, particularly sensors, data processing algorithms, and robotic systems, to perform tasks that traditionally required human intervention

Automated Harvesting:

Robotics used to pick fruits, vegetables, or other crops with minimal human labor.

Feed Distribution:

Automated systems used in livestock farms to dispense food based on weight, health, and growth

Irrigation Systems:

Automation of water delivery to crops based on soil moisture data, reducing water usage and improving efficiency

Instrumentation in Agricultural Systems

refers to devices and tools used to measure, monitor, and control variables within agricultural or biosystems.

Control Systems in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering

regulate the variables of a system to achieve desired outcomes

these systems use sensor data to adjust machinery and environmental conditions automatically.

Climate Control in Greenhouses

Automated systems that adjust temperature, humidity, light levels, and CO₂ in response to sensor inputs to create the best environment for plant growth

Animal Health Monitoring

Systems that track animal behavior, weight, and health indicators to automatically adjust feeding, treatment, and care routines

Soil Moisture Sensors:

Measure the moisture content in the soil, enabling automated irrigation systems to operate only when necessary, optimizing water use.

pH Sensors:

Measure soil acidity or alkalinity, helping farmers maintain optimal conditions for crop growth. These sensors are also used in irrigation and fertigation systems.

Temperature and Humidity Sensors:

Monitor environmental conditions in greenhouses, barns, or open fields. These sensors provide data to control climate control systems that manage factors like temperature and humidity

Nutrient Sensors:

Measure the availability of nutrients in the soil or water, assisting in the management of fertilization and irrigation to ensure optimal crop production

Biometric Sensors for Livestock

Sensors like RFID tags, weight sensors, and proximity sensors are used to monitor the growth, health, and behavior of livestock. This data is critical for automated systems that adjust feeding, health treatments, and breeding schedules

Water Quality Sensors

Used in aquaculture and irrigation, sensors that monitor water parameters such as dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and temperature are essential for managing aquatic environments and ensuring the health of both crops and fis

GPS and GNSS

Used for mapping field conditions and guiding machinery for tasks like planting, fertilization, and spraying, ensuring precision in operations and reducing input waste

Variable Rate Technology (VRT):

Uses data from sensors to apply fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides precisely where needed, optimizing chemical use and minimizing environmental impact.

Vision Sensors for Crop Inspection

utilize cameras and image processing techniques to visually inspect and analyze agricultural products, detecting defects like blemishes, ripeness, or disease in crops

These sensors use different wavelengths of light, including visible, infrared, and hyperspectral, to capture detailed information about the surface and internal condition of agricultural products.

RGB Cameras

Common cameras that capture red, green, and blue wavelengths of light, used in machine vision systems to detect defects on the surface of fruits like mangoes.

Infrared (IR) Cameras

Detect defects that may not be visible in the visible spectrum, such as bruises or internal rot in fruits.

Hyperspectral Cameras

Capture a wide range of light wavelengths, providing a detailed spectrum that helps identify subtle quality differences in fruits, including variations in sugar content, moisture levels, or surface defects

Mango Blemish Detection

Detecting surface imperfections such as bruises, spots, or discoloration that may reduce the fruit's quality.

Fruit Sorting

Automating the sorting process based on visual characteristics, ensuring that only high-quality fruits are selected for packaging or export.

Proximity Sensors for Livestock Measurement

measure the distance between the sensor and the target object.

These sensors can be used to measure the height or size of livestock like pigs without direct contact

Ultrasonic Sensors:

Emit high-frequency sound waves and measure the time it takes for the sound to return after hitting the surface of the object (e.g., the pig). The distance is then used to calculate the height or size.

Laser Sensors:

Use laser beams to measure the distance to the surface of an object. These sensors are highly accurate and often used for measuring height or other dimensions of livestock.

Infrared Sensors:

Emit infrared light and measure the reflection, calculating the distance based on the amount of light reflected back.

Used to monitor the growth of pigs or other animals, helping farmers track their development and assess health.

Temperature and Humidity Sensors for Environmental Control

measure environmental conditions within farms, greenhouses, and animal barns

DHT11/DHT22

Popular sensors for temperature and humidity monitoring in agricultural systems. They are easy to use and provide accurate readings for controlling climate within greenhouses

Thermocouples or RTDs (Resistance Temperature Detectors):

These sensors are often used in environments like animal barns where precise temperature control is required to maintain animal comfort and prevent heat stress.

Weight Sensors for Livestock

are used to measure the weight of livestock.

These sensors are installed in platforms or scales where animals can be placed, and they measure the force exerted by the animal's weight.

Load Cells:

These sensors detect strain caused by the weight of an object. When a pig steps onto the scale, the load cell converts this strain into a digital signal, indicating the weight of the anim

Soil Moisture Sensors for Irrigation Control

measure the water content in the soil

This data helps automate irrigation systems to deliver the right amount of water at the right time, preventing water waste and ensuring optimal soil conditions for plant growth

Capacitive Sensors:

Measure the soil's ability to store electrical charge, which changes with the moisture content of the soil

Resistive Sensors

Measure the electrical resistance between two electrodes embedded in the soil, which varies with soil moisture

pH Sensors for Soil and Water Quality Monitoring

measure the acidity or alkalinity of soil or water.

Glass Electrode pH Sensors

Commonly used in soil and water testing to monitor pH levels.

Solid-State pH Sensors

Used for continuous monitoring in water irrigation systems.

Gas Sensors for Monitoring Gaseous Emissions

detect gases like ammonia, methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, which are critical to monitor in both agricultural and livestock operations.

Ammonia Sensors:

Detect ammonia concentrations in animal barns, which can indicate poor ventilation and a harmful environment for livestock.

Carbon Dioxide Sensors

Measure CO₂ levels in greenhouses to optimize plant growth.

Nutrient Sensors

Measure essential nutrient concentrations (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) in the soil or hydroponic solutions.

Ion-Selective Electrode Sensors (ISE)

Used for real-time nutrient monitoring in soil and water, ensuring that crops receive the proper nutrients

Optical Sensors for Nutrients

Use light to detect the presence and concentration of nutrients, often used in automated fertigation systems.

Computer Models:

Use light to detect the presence and concentration of nutrients, often used in automated fertigation systems.

They can be used to simulate the behavior of biological systems, manage resources, and enhance decision-making

process data from sensors, such as weather, soil moisture, and crop health, to predict needs for water, fertilizer, and pest management.

Control Systems in Agricultural Engineering

receive input from sensors and process that data to adjust operations in real time. In agriculture, these systems manage variables like irrigation, temperature, humidity, and livestock conditions.

These systems perform tasks autonomously, ensuring optimal production conditions and reducing labor costs

Aquaculture Systems

Automated systems in fish farms monitor water quality parameters and adjust aeration, water temperature, or feeding schedules based on sensor data to maintain optimal conditions for fish growth.

Metrology

is the science of measurement. In agriculture and biosystems engineering, metrology equipment includes instruments used to measure physical quantities such as weight, volume, temperature, moisture, and chemical content

Accurate measurements are critical for achieving optimal performance in agricultural operations.

Weighing Scales

Moisture Meters

pH Meters

Flow Meters

Common Metrology Equipment in Agriculture

Weighing Scales:

Used for measuring the weight of produce, livestock, and feed. Accurate weight measurements are vital for determining market value, optimizing feeding strategies, and managing inventory

Moisture Meters

Measure the moisture content of soil, crops, or feed. In agriculture, these meters help automate irrigation, ensuring crops receive the right amount of water. They are also essential in postharvest handling to maintain the quality of produce

pH Meters

Used for measuring the acidity or alkalinity of soil or water, ensuring that conditions are suitable for plant and animal growth

Flow Meters

Measure the flow rate of water, nutrients, or gases, ensuring that resources are distributed efficiently throughout farming systems

Safety

s a critical aspect of automated agricultural systems, especially in controlled environments and when dealing with heavy machinery or hazardous chemicals

Gas Detection Systems

Used in barns and silos to detect harmful gases like ammonia or methane, triggering alarms and shutting down equipment to protect workers.

Machine Safety

Proximity sensors in machinery prevent accidents by detecting obstacles or the presence of workers in dangerous zones, automatically stopping or slowing down machinery