Today, collection of high-definition topography information is relatively expensive.  Methods routinely used are labor intensive and difficult.  The opportunity exists to develop a low cost, easy-to-use system that will provide high-resolution topographic information at the field scale.

Researchers with The University of Tennessee Sensors and Controls Laboratory are working to develop such a system.  Lab personnel are developing a data acquisition system that will measure and record topographic information during typical, agricultural operations.  New technologies such as MEMS accelerometers are being evaluated to provide tilt and aspect information, while DGPS receivers would provide geographic position.  Once data have been integrated in a GIS environment, secondary topographic information such as slope breaks and slope lengths are to be developed using modeling techniques.

Benefits of the equipment and procedures that will result from this work are numerous.  Farmers adopting precision agriculture technologies will be able to develop detailed topographic maps of their fields.  These maps will help identify areas of differing yield potential based on topographic features.  Conservationists will use detailed topographic maps to improve erosion control planning and to better understand surface water movement in fields.

Through application of new technology, Sensors and Controls Lab personnel work to solve problems faced in production agriculture.

John Wilkerson, Ph.D. 
The University of Tennessee
2506 E. J. Chapman Drive
Knoxville, TN  37996-4531
PHONE:  (865) 974-7266
wilkerj@utk.edu