Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/P008909/1
Development of an on-farm handset for variable N management from satellite images
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Professor T Vladimirova, University of Leicester, Engineering
- Grant held at:
- University of Leicester, Engineering
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Crop protection
- Crop protection
- Image & Vision Comp.- Hardware
- Image & Vision Computing
- Programmable Hardware
- VLSI Design
- VLSI CAD Tools
- System on Chip
- Satellite observation
- Technol. for Environ. Appl.
- Abstract:
- The handheld device will be based on the use of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) which are a low cost and flexible alternative to traditional ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Systems). In particular, SRAM-based FPGAs, are extremely suitable for high-performance image processing as they can implement complex algorithms as parallel structures and can in this way speed up significantly their execution. The output of this feasibility study will be a prototype of a crop management image processing hardware accelerator which will be implemented as a plug-in module to a laptop in the form of a USB-enabled printed circuit board, containing an FPGA-based processing system and interface components. The module will be controlled through a user interface on the laptop screen. The ultimate aim beyond the feasibility study is to develop a handheld product which can be supplied as part of a contract to farmers and agronomists. The key activities for the feasibility study will be (i) to identify the most appropriate source of FPGA which is adaptable to the requirements (ii) to develop programmes that are adaptable to a range of satellite images and other data. The product will need to be designed to process all types of satellite imagery using standard algorithms such as NDVI and also indexes and algorithms based on validated research. SPOT imagery at 5-10 m (multispectral data) is typically the basis for recommendations made by Precise Crop Nutrition at present. Other satellite data, including Radar, which can help to overcome limitations due to cloud cover will be tested as part of the feasibility study. This will include historic satellite data held by NERC and other facilities to demonstrate management zone mapping where there is a relationship to soil types. (iii) To evaluate the practicality of the selected prototype system in the field compared with centrally provided data as used currently (iv)To establish the acceptability of the system with agronomists and farmers. This will involve obtaining feedback from existing users of the N-Map service and those less familiar with variable N. (v) Preparing a full report on the outcome of the feasibility study with recommendations for further development. Steps (i) and (ii) will be executed by Leicester University - over quarters one and two (with input from Precise Crop Nutrition, on the selection of satellite images and input of required field data. Step (iii) will be carried out by Precise Crop Nutrition , quarter two and three. Step (iv) will be carried out by Precise Crop Nutrition, quarter three and four. The whole group will contribute to step (v), quarter four.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/P008909/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- Innovation
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Innovation - NERC/Innovate UK
This grant award has a total value of £45,330
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DA - Investigators | DA - Estate Costs | DI - Staff | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £516 | £21,125 | £887 | £4,325 | £18,072 | £403 |
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