User's Manual

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Once the Sensors are operating, they
should be installed in the field. Sen-
sor location in the field is a very critical
step to insure that you receive useful
information regarding the water status
of your crop. If used with a center
pivot, the Sensors should be located
in a straight line proceeding radially
from the base of the center pivot to
the edge of the field (see Figure 1). The
closest Sensor should be 100-300 feet
away from the center of the field and
the furthest Sensor should be 600-1000 feet away from the center of the
field. Additional Sensors can be place between the Sensors at the two ex-
tremes. If used in a field that uses a drip system or is gravity watered, the
sensor placement should be determined based on how the information
will be used. For instance, if various sections of the field can be watered
independently from each other, the additional Field Sensors may be used
to obtain a more precise measurement of water stress in the various sec-
tions of the field. Up to 16 Field Sensors can be used in one system.
The Field Sensor should be placed such that it looks downward at the
crop canopy. Please note the “LEVEL” line on the Field Sensor tube and
install the Field Sensor so that the “LEVEL” line is level with the ground.
The sensor in the end of the Field Sensor tube should be 1-2 feet above
the canopy. The sensor sees a spot on the canopy with a diameter
equal to the distance it is above the
canopy. Take care to arrange the Sen-
sor so that it only sees the crop canopy
and not soil. As the canopy develops,
this will be less of an issue.
The top end of the Sensor contains the
transmitter antenna and it should have
a clear view of the of the system an-
tenna at the Base Controller. If a metal
fence post is used to support the Sen-
sor, the fence post should be placed on
the side of the Sensor away from the
Base Controller. (See Figure 2)
MORE ON ANTENNA PLACEMENT
Antenna placement is extremely critical for maximum performance from
the SmartCrop® system. The Field Sensor antenna collects data from
the sensors in the field. It should be placed so that there are no obstruc-
tions between the antenna and the Sensors. Caution should be taken to
assure that the metal structure of the center pivot base is not inhibiting
the performance of the radio. The system antenna should be placed at
least five feet off the ground using the supplied Antenna Arm as shown
in figure 3. If for some reason the system antenna cannot be placed on
the center pivot structure, then it can be located near the Base Control-
ler in a manner that allows the antenna to be at least five feet off the
ground with a clear line of sight to the Sensors. The Antenna Arm is
designed to locate the system antenna an appropriate distance from the
center pivot tower such that the pivot tower becomes part of the system
antenna thereby maximizing the performance of the antenna. Sensors
with distances of up to 1,000 feet are achievable with correct antenna
placement. If a cell phone modem is part of the system as well, its place-
ment is also critical to the performance of the system.
SYSTEM START-UP
All connections should be checked one more time and then power
should be applied to the Base Station. This is done by first connecting
the on-board battery of the Base Station. The Base Station is shipped
with one of these battery connections not connected. As soon as the
battery is connected, power can be applied to the Base Station from the
two external power sources supplying 12VDC input.
As soon as power is applied to the Base Station the system will begin
operating. It may take up to 15 minutes for all Field Sensors to report.
The Cell Modem may take up to one hour to establish a connection with
the local cell phone tower.
WARRANTY
Smartfield, Inc. warrants the SmartCrop® product for one year from
purchase date. Please see the included warranty for details.
Copyright 2009, Smartfield, Inc.
Sensors
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Figure 1
Figure 2