Precision farming using 5G in agriculture

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13.11.2024 11:56

Precision farming using 5G in agriculture

Computer scientists at the Hermann Hollerith Center at Reutlingen University are researching precision farming using 5G in agriculture. In the 5G-PreCiSe pilot project, real-time precision farming enables optimal calculation of the amount of fertilizer and the timing of fertilization in the fields.

The 5G-PreCiSe pilot project at the Hermann Hollerith Center (HHZ) in Böblingen is currently researching how resource-efficient and demand-oriented fertilizer application can take place in agriculture under realistic conditions. In the pilot project, the researchers are connecting systems and processes using 5G to enable farmers to make better and more sustainable decisions in order to implement smart fertilization of the fields.

Recording the plant population through drone flights:
In the HHZ project at Reutlingen University at the Ihinger Hof experimental station at the University of Hohenheim, drones fly over a test field and use a high-resolution camera to create RGB and spectral images of the grown winter wheat. These images are collected and transmitted via 5G to the backend of the software system for further processing on the edge cloud server.
This is where the so-called “stiching” takes place, i.e. the individual images are put together to form an overall image. This is used to record plant growth and condition. The amount of fertilizer can thus be applied precisely to specific areas. This helps to save fertilizer and costs while protecting the environment.

5G wireless technology and sensor technology in combination with historical data open up new possibilities:
The 5G PreCiSe communication structure at the test station uses a 5G campus network, LoRaWAN and WLAN. Each technology has its strengths and is used in fertilization as needed. Together they enable data transmission from devices and sensors in the 5G PreCiSe field test. Environmental and plant data is collected before and during fertilization, sent to the edge cloud, where it is combined with other data (e.g. historical data) and evaluated. In the target variant, the optimal amount of fertilizer is to be determined in real time, fed back to the agricultural machine and applied precisely.

Floor sensors in combination with LoRaWAN:
In the project, other important factors that are necessary for optimal fertilization are recorded: soil temperature and soil moisture. They influence the availability and uptake of nutrients by plants. This allows farmers to better determine the right time to fertilize to achieve maximum efficiency and yields.
To measure soil temperature and soil moisture, a sensor system was developed in 5G-PreCiSe to determine these parameters using SMT-100 sensors at 10, 20, 40 and 50 cm soil depth. The sensors are connected to LoRaWAN controller units installed above ground, which record the soil values, process them and send them to the backend at Ihinger Hof via LoRaWAN. There the data is collected, evaluated and further processed. This approach enables energy-saving, energy self-sufficient and therefore low-maintenance operation. The LoRaWAN controller unit is an in-house development that was created as part of the 5G PreCiSe project at the Herman Hollerith Center at Reutlingen University.
In order to develop new technologies in agriculture, the HHZ at Reutlingen University is working on the 5G-PreCiSe project and other projects with the University of Hohenheim, AIN GmbH, Seeburger AG, Robert Bosch GmbH, ZD:BB, Rauch Landmaschinenfabrik and the Böblingen district.

Funded by:
The 5G-PreCiSe pilot project is funded in the funding guideline “5G implementation funding within the framework of the 5G innovation program” of the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport.

Project duration:
10.12.2021 – 09.12.2024

Scientific contacts:

• Prof. Dr. Dieter Hertweck, Reutlingen University – Herman Hollerith Center Service Science Research Group
dieter.hertweck@reutlingen-university.de
• Reiner Braun, Reutlingen University – Herman Hollerith Center reiner.braun@reutlingen-university.de
•Dr. Iris Palmer, Böblingen district
I.Palmer@lrabb.de

Further information:

5G-PreCiSe project website

Pictures

Infographic 5G PreCiSe

Floor sensor with gateway in use

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