Introduction
With the advancement of technology, the application of drone technology in agriculture has become increasingly widespread. Drones in agriculture have evolved from simple aerial photography to precision farming, crop health monitoring, and field inspection, among other areas. The drone-based agricultural field inspection system, equipped with high-definition cameras and sensors, can capture real-time images and data from the fields, helping farmers detect and address issues like pest infestations and irrigation problems in a timely manner. However, the data collected by the drones needs to be transmitted in real-time to a ground control center for processing and analysis, which requires an efficient and stable data transmission solution.
The combination of EBYTE 4G DTU (E840-DTU(EC05-485)E) and the remote data & image transmission module (E611-900NW20S) provides a reliable data transmission solution for drone-based agricultural field inspection systems. This article will detail the features of these two devices and their application in the drone-based agricultural field inspection system.
EBYTE 4G DTU
Product Overview
The E840-DTU(EC05-485)E is a compact 4G DTU developed by Chengdu Ebyte Electronics Co., Ltd., using 4G CAT1 technology. It has the features of small size, high speed, low latency, and easy usage. It can be easily configured to enable serial device networking, providing bidirectional transparent data transmission between serial devices and network servers. The product uses 2.0mm pin headers, making debugging convenient and simple for integration into IoT projects.
Key Features
Supports 4G Network: Compatible with mobile, China Unicom, and China Telecom 4G cards. It uses a compatible signal and LED indicators, with a default 3.3V and a 5V level-compatible option.
Supports Transparent Data Transmission: Supports TCP, UDP, MQTT, and HTTP protocols, compatible with cloud servers like Alibaba Cloud, Baidu Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Tencent Cloud, and ONE Net that follow standard MQTT3.1.1.
Heartbeat and Registration Packets: Supports two-way Socket link communication and allows the setting of primary/secondary connection info for each Socket.
Modbus RTU to Modbus TCP Conversion: Allows for remote configuration through network AT commands.
GPS/Beidou Positioning: Available for E840-TTL(EC05-DGC) only.
System Parameters
Operating Temperature: -40℃ to +85℃.
Dimensions: 22mm x 27mm.
Remote Data & Image Transmission Module (E611-900NW20S)
Product Overview
The E611-900NW20S is a long-range data and image transmission module developed by Chengdu Ebyte Electronics Co., Ltd., featuring star networking and relay functions. It is widely used in smart homes, industrial sensors, and wearable devices. The module supports a high transmission rate of 16Mbps and a maximum RF transmission power of 20dBm, operating in the 850MHz to 930MHz frequency range.
Key Features
Star Networking Support: Up to 8 sub-nodes can be connected.
High Transmission Rate: Can achieve a transmission rate of up to 16Mbps, supporting 4 channels of 1080p video.
Integrated Data and Image Transmission: Supports both Ethernet and serial port data transparent transmission.
Relay Networking: In ideal conditions, the maximum transmission distance can reach 1 km.
AT Command Support: Convenient for module parameter configuration.
System Parameters
Working Voltage: 4.2V~15V.
Operating Temperature: -40℃ to +89℃.
Dimensions: 40mm x 29mm.
Application in Drone-Based Agricultural Field Inspection System
System Architecture
The drone-based agricultural field inspection system consists of the drone, EBYTE 4G DTU (E840-DTU(EC05-485)E), and the remote data and image transmission module (E611-900NW20S). The drone is equipped with a high-definition camera and sensors to capture images and data from the fields. The data is then transmitted through the E611-900NW20S module and further relayed by the E840-DTU(EC05-485)E to the ground control center server.
Data Transmission Process
Data Collection: The drone flies over the agricultural fields, capturing images and data with its high-definition camera and sensors.
Data Transmission: The collected data is transmitted via the E611-900NW20S module, which supports 16Mbps transmission speed, allowing for the real-time transfer of high-definition video and large data volumes.
Data Forwarding: The E611-900NW20S forwards the data to the E840-DTU(EC05-485)E, which then uses the 4G network to send the data to the ground control center’s server.
Data Processing and Analysis: The server at the ground control center processes and analyzes the data to help farmers detect and address pest infestations, irrigation issues, and other agricultural challenges in real-time.
Advantages Analysis
Efficient and Stable: The high transmission speed of the E611-900NW20S module and the stable transmission of the E840-DTU(EC05-485)E ensure real-time and accurate data.
Remote Monitoring: The ground control center can monitor the agricultural fields remotely through the 4G network, eliminating the need for manual field inspections and saving on labor costs.
Intelligent Analysis: By integrating big data and artificial intelligence technologies, the control center can analyze the collected data intelligently, providing farmers with scientific decision support.
The combination of EBYTE 4G DTU (E840-DTU(EC05-485)E) and the remote data and image transmission module (E611-900NW20S) offers an efficient and stable data transmission solution for drone-based agricultural field inspection systems. This integration allows drones to collect and transmit real-time images and data from the fields, helping farmers address agricultural issues promptly and improve agricultural productivity and management. As technology continues to advance, drone-based agricultural field inspection systems will play an increasingly significant role in the future of agricultural production.