Photo-optical sensor system for rapid evaluation of planter seed spacing uniformity

Changhe Chen; Michael F. Kocher; John A. Smith

doi:10.1117/12.198885

6 January 1995 Photo-optical sensor system for rapid evaluation of planter seed spacing uniformity

Changhe Chen, Michael F. Kocher, John A. Smith

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2345, Optics in Agriculture, Forestry, and Biological Processing; (1995) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198885
Event: Photonics for Industrial Applications, 1994, Boston, MA, United States

Abstract

Seed spacing uniformity is crucial to crops such as sugarbeets. Planter manufacturers, dealers, and sugarbeet growers are interested in how uniformly planters place seeds into the soil. The current laboratory method for testing planter accuracy uses a stationary planter unit to place seeds onto a grease belt, allowing visualization of the seed spacings. This method, however, is very difficult and time consuming. Automation of the test using photonics is desirable. A rectangular photogate block was designed with light emitting diodes (LEDs) opposite photo- transistors. Twenty-four pairs of LEDs and photo-transistors were connected to a digital I/O board on a personal computer to detect space and time between seeds. During laboratory testing of a planter unit, the photogate was positioned beneath the seed drop tube to simulate the bottom of a furrow. A program was developed to poll the twenty four digital channels and three counters so no seeds could go through the photogate without being detected. Planter ground speed was monitored through a magnetic switch. Histograms of seed spacing and relative location of seed passing through the photogate were provided for each test. The outputs conform with the requirements of International Organizations for Standardization 7256/1 - 1984.

Citation Download Citation

Changhe Chen, Changhe Chen, Michael F. Kocher, Michael F. Kocher, John A. Smith, John A. Smith, } "Photo-optical sensor system for rapid evaluation of planter seed spacing uniformity", Proc. SPIE 2345, Optics in Agriculture, Forestry, and Biological Processing, (6 January 1995); doi: 10.1117/12.198885; https://doi.org/10.1117/12.198885

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

PERSONAL SIGN IN
Full access may be available with your subscription

Email or Username Forgot your username?

Password Forgot your password?

Show

Remember Email/Username on this computer

Remember Password

No SPIE account? Create an account
or Institutional Sign In via Shibboleth

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $14.40

Non-members: $18.00 ADD TO CART

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years