Silicon Sensing’s advanced DMU11 inertial measurement unit (IMU) has been selected by BBLeap B.V. for its LeapBox retrofittable, crop sprayer technology.
The DMU11 all-silicon, six-degree-of-freedom IMU will be used to precisely determine both the turning speed and heading of the sprayer.
The Silicon Sensing DMU11 IMU
The BBLeap device, using output from the DMU11, will independently assess the speed and location of the sprayer boom itself to derive deposition rates for specific areas and ensure crops are treated accurately and much more precisely.
This autonomous refinement is set to enhance crop growth and the control and reduction of chemicals onto the land.
Martijn van Alphen, founder and head developer at BBLeap, explained, “The ability to deliver crop protection and nutrients precisely where, and in the quantity, they are needed results in less waste, lower costs, reduced environmental impact – and a stronger and more resilient crop. This is good for the plant, for the farmer and for the planet.”
In this role the precise, sustained measurement of motion is reportedly critical. The accuracy, and especially the low drift, of the trailed sprayer will ensure the effective performance of all the functions of each machine.
Mr van Alphen added, “When selecting a suitable IMU we tested a whole range of options, from low cost to high end. The DMU11 was the only one providing us with accurate and stable measurements over the whole temperature range of our application.”
A Silicon Sensing DMU11 will be installed in each LeapBox, where its output is used to:
- Precisely determine the turning speed of the sprayer. Based on the forward and turning speeds the correct delivery rate of each individual spraying position is calculated. The system can support up to 250 spraying positions.
- Ensure accurate calculation of the heading of the sprayer behind the tractor. Each tractor has its own heading from its GPS system, whilst the sprayer has a separate heading calculated based on the output of the DMU11. This is calibrated to an absolute heading when the machine is directly behind the tractor.
On OEM broadacre sprayers with boom-leveling technology, a second DMU11 will also be installed. BBLeap will use the difference between the outputs of each to measure the centre frame position of the sprayer in relation to the position of the chassis.
The gyro from the DMU11 will be used to determine the rotational speed of the boom, which is critical to boom-leveling.
David Somerville, General Manager, Silicon Sensing, stated, “Our DMU11 has a strong track record for its performance and reliability across many market sectors including precision agriculture and we are particularly proud to see it playing such a key role at the heart of important sustainable farming developments such as this landmark BBLeap LeapBox.”
