Development of an in-field controller for an agricultural bussystem based on open source program library lbs-lib

Current Agricultural BUS (Binary Units System)-systems (ISO 11783, DIN 9684) use primarily the “mapping approach” for process control in mobile application systems for site specific plant production. The “sensor approach” which is gaining in importance, is almost only implemented on proprietary systems. There is currently no definition for the comprehensive “Real-time approach with map overlay”. The new definition of an “In-field Controller”, a better integration of on-line sensors and a modification of process data handling, enable modular and scalable process control systems to be in compliance with Agricultural BUS-systems. The In-field Controller can supervise, control and document in-field activities based on on-line sensor measurements, overlay maps and include an expert system. The next task necessary will be, especially for spatially variable fertilization, the formulation of knowledge and rules for the “mobile expert system”, which must work in real-time. The Open Source program library LBS-Lib offers a suitable basis for the realization and test of an In-field Controller.