Development of an Automatic Sprayer Arm Control System for Unmanned Pest Control of Pear Trees

Abstract

Purpose of this study was a development of a sprayer arm auto control system that could be operated according to distance from pear trees for automation of pest control. Auto control system included two parts, hardware and software. First, controller was made with an MCU and relay switches. Two types of ultra-sonic sensors were installed to measure distance from pear trees: one on/off type that detect up to 3 m, and the other continuous type providing 0~5 V output corresponding to distance of 0~3 m. Second, an auto control algorithm was developed to control. Each spraying arm was controlled according to the sensor-based distance from the pear trees. And it could dodge obstacles to protect itself. Max and min signal values were eliminated, when five sensor signals was collected, and then signals were averaged to reduce sensor's noises. According to results of field experiment, auto control test result was better than non auto control test result. Spraying rates were 69.25% (left line) and 98.09% (right line) under non auto control mode, because pear trees were not planted uniformly. But, auto control test's results were 92.66% (left line) and 94.64% (right line). Spraying rate was increased by maintaining distance from tree.