Traversing Sensor Platform for Environmental Measurements
Jay M. Ham, F. W. Caldwell · Agronomy Journal · 1993
Abstract Under conditions of high spatial variability, environmental sensors can be transported across or through the region of interest to obtain representative samples of the measured parameter. A traversing platform was designed to carry heavy sensors and instruments along a horizontal path under field conditions. The system was composed of a 0.17‐ by 0.13‐m rolling platform atop a 2.2‐m long aluminum channel. A motorized cable‐chain drive was used to move the platform at a speed of 0.035 m s−1. The system was powered with 12‐V DC deepcycle batteries and consumed ≈6 W of power when the sensor platform was in transit. On‐board circuits can be used in conjunction with a programmable datalogger to sense the platform's location or stop the platform at user‐specified locations along the traversing path. The mechanism was capable of transporting a 5‐kg sensor package at inclination angles up to 45°. The system operated without failure for a 6‐wk period under field conditions.