Browsing by Subject "Geodata"

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Development of a spatial data infrastructure for precision agriculture applications
(2021) Jackenkroll, Markus; Gerhards, Roland
Precision agriculture (PA) is the technical answer to tackling heterogeneous conditions in a field. It works through site specific operations on a small scale and is driven by data. The objective is an optimized agricultural field application that is adaptable to local needs. The needs differ within a task by spatial conditions. A field, as a homogenous-planted unit, exceeds by its size the scale units of different landscape ecological properties, like soil type, slope, moisture content, solar radiation etc. Various PA-sensors sample data of the heterogeneous conditions in a field. PA-software and Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS) transfer the data into status information or application instructions, which are optimized for the local conditions. The starting point of the research was the determination that the process of PA was only being used in individual environments without exchange between different users and to other domains. Data have been sampled regarding specific operations, but the model of PA suffers from these closed data streams and software products. Initial sensors, data processing and controlled implementations were constructed and sold as monolithic application. An exchange of hard- or software as well as of data was not planned. The design was focused on functionality in a fixed surrounding and conceived as being a unit. This has been identified as a disadvantage for ongoing developments and the creation of added value. Influences from the outside that may be innovative or even inspired cannot be considered. To make this possible, the underlying infrastructure must be flexible and optimized for the exchange of data. This thesis explores the necessary data handling, in terms of integrating knowledge of other domains with a focus on the geo-spatial data processing. As PA is largely dependent on geographical data, this work develops spatial data infrastructure (SDI) components and is based on the methods and tools of geo-informatics. An SDI provides concepts for the organization of geospatial components. It consists of spatial- and metadata in geospatial workflows. The SDI in the center of these workflows is implemented by technologies, policies, arrangements, and interfaces to make the data accessible for various users. Data exchange is the major aim of the concept. As previously stated, data exchange is necessary for PA operations, and it can benefit from defined components of an SDI. Furthermore, PA-processes gain access to interchange with other domains. The import of additional, external data is a benefit. Simultaneously, an export interface for agricultural data offers new possibilities. Coordinated communication ensures understanding for each participant. From the technological point of view, standardized interfaces are best practice. This work demonstrates the benefit of a standardized data exchange for PA, by using the standards of the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC). The OGC develops and publishes a wide range of relevant standards, which are widely adopted in geospatially enabled software. They are practically proven in other domains and were implemented partially in FMIS in the recent years. Depending on their focus, they could support software solutions by incorporating additional information for humans or machines into additional logics and algorithms. This work demonstrates the benefits of standardized data exchange for PA, especially by the standards of the OGC. The process of research follows five objectives: (i) to increase the usability of PA-tools in order to open the technology for a wider group of users, (ii) to include external data and services seamlessly through standardized interfaces to PA-applications, (iii) to support exchange with other domains concerning data and technology, (iv) to create a modern PA-software architecture, which allows new players and known brands to support processes in PA and to develop new business segments, (v) to use IT-technologies as a driver for agriculture and to contribute to the digitalization of agriculture.