Digital/Precision Agriculture Group

This group has been conducting research related to sensors, wireless sensor network, and precision agriculture technologies. A unique optical sensor capable of simultaneously measuring sediment and flow velocity was developed and has been deployed in three states in the U.S. to form an Internet-based wireless sensor network to monitor water quality in streams. The group also developed a frequency response-based permittivity sensor to measure properties of soil and contaminants in water, biofuel, and air. A laser-based sensor system was developed to measure precision digital elevation model. The group is also working with the farm equipment industry to develop mobile phone agricultural applications.

Research groups

• FarmsLab
• Precision Ag
• Institute for Digital Agriculture and Advanced Analytics (ID3A)

Faculty

• Ed Brokesh
• Daniel Flippo
• Ajay Sharda
• Naiqian Zhang

Facilities

Machinery systems laboratory

This laboratory is used for a variety of machinery systems activities including teaching, extension workshops and research. Space in the machinery systems laboratory is flexible allowing for research, lectures, labs and other activities requiring tabletop space workstations and hands-on learning. Areas are designated for specific training tools used for group demonstrations and/or student lab activities. Training tools and equipment include fluid power/hydraulic trainers; multiple chemical application/spray system units; and components including electronics, tractors, utility vehicles and various precision agricultural systems including global positioning systems and variable-rate-application electronics. Space is designated for conducting laboratory-based research in the chemical application area. These research activities include sprayer calibration, nozzle-flow checks, spray-pattern analysis and spray-droplet analysis. Laboratory space is also utilized for student projects.

Instrumentation and control laboratory

This laboratory serves both research and teaching needs of the department. It has seven work stations fully equipped with general purpose electronic instruments. Licensed software is available for student laboratory exercises and supports student team projects related to instrumentation and controls. Research equipment in the laboratory includes specialized instruments and equipment for spectral analysis, hyperspectral imaging, impedance measurement, digital and optical image processing, wireless communication and robotic design.