QUICK FACTS
Cranfield University uses PV-WAVE to develop applications that process data gathered from a combine harvester as it gathers the crop. That data is then used to create a geographical information system (GIS) that smoothes the data into a readable yield map. This shows the underlying trends across the field in many data points. These points can then be linked, using PV-WAVE's high-level visualization tools, to create a useful representation of the yields.

THE PROBLEM
Cranfield University has turned to Visual Numerics’ PV-WAVE data-analysis and visualization tools as part of a major program to identify new techniques to help manage the complexities of arable farming.

The contract to conduct the research was awarded to Cranfield's School of Agriculture Food and Environment by the Home Grown Cereals Authority, the cereals levy board. The contract forms a five-year research program to develop best management practices for crop farming under the precision farming banner.

Simon Blackmore, one of Cranfield's lecturers in information technology, describes precision farming as the goal of increased efficiency in the management of agriculture. Blackmore explained, “It is a developing technology that modifies existing techniques and incorporates new ones to produce a new set of tools for the manager to use. Inevitably it integrates a significant amount of computing and electronics, but higher levels of control require a more sophisticated system approach.”

THE SOLUTION
Visual Numerics PV-WAVE tools will develop applications to process the raw data gathered from a combine harvester as it gathers the crop. The combine is fitted with a yield-recording system and a differential global-positioning system that records both the longitude and latitude every 1.2 seconds. The PV-WAVE tools are being used to create a geographical information system (GIS) that smoothes the data into a readable yield map. This shows the underlying trends across the field.

PV-WAVE's powerful fourth-generation language facilitates the development of decision-support applications requiring analysis and visualization of large, complex data sets. The PV-WAVE architecture supports a rapid application development environment that allows applications developed on one system to be delivered across all supporting computing platforms.

Blackmore has also used PV-WAVE to develop an “expert filter” that validates the data drawn from the field. “In the eyes of some farmers, research is characterized by lies, damned lies and yield maps,” said Blackmore. “But too often in the past, yield maps have been created using data that are grossly distorted. Part of our brief has been to identify the variables and other artifacts responsible and, using PV-WAVE, filter them out of the equation.”

RETURN ON INVESTMENT
The variables can include the type of combine used, the time lag between harvesting the crop and reaching the combine's hopper and distortions caused by excessively high yields that cannot be immediately processed. Concluded Blackmore, “By applying the expert filter developed in PV-WAVE, we can create a true yield map of the field, which might typically be drawn from around 10,000 data points. These points can then be linked, using PV-WAVE's high-level visualization tools, to create a useful representation of the yields.”

Currently, Cranfield University is running the development program on a Pentium Pro 200 machine running Windows® NT, which is proving more than adequate for the role. Blackmore anticipates that the next step will be to develop data analysis even further, taking advantage of PV-WAVE's capabilities to analyze and visualize data in three dimensions. Concluded Blackmore, “Radar also offers us the potential to penetrate and subsequently analyze the soil, which will add a third dimension to our results.” PV-WAVE includes a set of tools, known as widgets that enable users to slice through a three-dimensional volume or to display data as a surface using a single command.

WORLD CLASS PRODUCTS, SERVICES, AND SUPPORT
Visual Numerics has provided technical software solutions for numerical analysis and visualization for over 30 years. The company's software products help users understand complex data from a variety of sources and build business-critical applications. Visual Numerics offers two product lines: the IMSL® Numerical Libraries for powerful mathematical and statistical analysis and the PV-WAVE® visual data analysis development environment. Visual Numerics also offers customized consulting services for applications that involve mathematical, statistical, or visual data analysis to meet today’s business analytical needs.