Wireless control in agricultural applications is evolving rapidly, largely due to the fast adoption of smartphones and tablets into all parts of everyday life. Devices such as smartphones and tablets are a disruptive technology that will force change to almost every industry. JCA Electronics is focused on and is leading in this field to enhance: the productivity of the end user, the capability of the product and the resourcefulness and strength of the OEM producing it.
Winnipeg, MB -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/14/2015 -- JCA Electronics, specialist in the design and manufacture of electronic control systems for original equipment manufacturers, announces its new machine-to-machine (M2M) capabilities that bring real value to the control and monitoring of agricultural equipment.
Thanks to the M2M communication that JCA incorporates into its solutions, iPhone, Android devices and ISOBUS terminals now connect to full systems, connecting implements, drive platforms, electronics as well as the Internet and its Cloud resources. These M2M solutions for agricultural applications have been developed through a close collaboration with JCA's customers in the agriculture market, and they respond to market needs. Examples are: telematics and remote diagnostics, integration of maps and GPS, and use of weather information, just to name a few.
M2M communications allow devices (both wired and wireless) to connect. When applied to the agriculture business, a device captures an event that is transmitted through a network to an application , converting the event into relevant data. An example of this process can be a smartphone capturing weather information through its network; the smartphone transmits this weather information to an application (app) that alerts, in this example, that the equipment needs adjustment because of a particular weather situation such as an upcoming storm. Other examples could bring in aspects of machine diagnostics, maps, soil conditions that can truly help the farmer (in real time) best manage their operation.
A few years ago, wireless controls in agricultural applications were relegated to special functionalities, with dedicated remotes controlling specific operations. The world has changed and, today, most farmers have very powerful control and monitoring devices in their pocket: smartphones. The introduction of these devices has significantly changed the cost/benefit analysis of adding wireless control capabilities to an agriculture control system, as the costs have significantly gone down while the capabilities have increased exponentially.
Today's typical iPhone or Android device is a powerful processing tool containing built-in M2M communication functionalities that can be very useful in agricultural control applications: GPS, Internet connectivity, wireless control capabilities and a high definition display with touchscreen controls are just a few examples. Another great benefit for using iPhone or Android devices for agriculture applications is that remote-specific issues (such as battery life, and replacement of lost/damaged special function remotes) are no longer the responsibility of the manufacturer of the agriculture equipment, but tied into a cell phone that the farmer already owns, is familiar with, and regularly upgrades.
With these changes to the technology landscape, a wide range of new potential applications for interfacing tablets and smartphones is opening up, enhancing in field applications and the business of farming as a whole..
John Anderson, JCA's President, comments: "Innovative engineers designing agriculture equipment will quickly recognize how the M2M communication technology can be applied to their systems, bringing new control and monitoring capabilities and providing them with a significant competitive advantage. Companies that are reluctant to change will quickly get left behind".
Some examples of M2M communications applied to agriculture and wireless control through smartphones are as follows:
Telematics and remote diagnostics – A Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled implement controller can connect to Cloud-based services through the cellular network of a mobile device. This would allow service and support people to see live machine diagnostics or historical data logs from a remote location, to diagnose/track issues in the field.
Integration of maps and GPS – By having Google Maps (or other mapping applications) integrated into a customized app for the implement and by using the mobile device GPS, new applications can be enabled such as coordination of multiple vehicles in large farms, tracking harvest throughput by area or marking specific locations of product or equipment.
Use of weather information – In farming, the weather is always a critical factor for consideration. The optimal running modes of many different types of equipment depend on weather factors such as temperature, humidity and barometric pressure. This information is readily available through mobile devices and can be used to "auto-tune" equipment to adjust to the weather conditions.
Wireless control – Few things are more frustrating than losing a remote control that is needed to run a piece of equipment. Using a smartphone as a remote means that the operator is more likely to know where the remote is at all times. Smartphones allow for much more flexibility in monitoring and control as they are not limited to only a few buttons, and entirely different screens can be shown for different operating modes.
Smartphones and tablets can bring real value to the control and monitoring of agricultural equipment, and these examples are showing just the beginning of how this disruptive technology will enhance the productivity in the agriculture field.
About JCA Electronics
JCA Electronics is an Electronic Integration Centre (EIC) that is able to apply the right technology, products, and services in a cost effective and timely manner.
JCA specializes in the design and manufacture of electronic control systems for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). JCA strives to not only understand the design and function of our customers products, but also the company that produces them. Starting with requirements and concept, next prototyping and testing the system, and then through production and service, the company's designed systems effectively blend physical and digital products. JCA's innovative devices incorporate wireless technology and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, to enhance customer's time to market and the experience and productivity of their end users.
With customers all over the world, and with operations and staff in Canada and the USA, JCA is focused on providing its growing customer base with an electronic systems and manufacturing expertise that can be tapped into at any level. JCA is committed to strengthen the value of our customers products and to allow our customers to become more responsive and capable in a world of rapidly evolving technology.
For more information
John Anderson
President, JCA Electronics
Ph: 204-415-1104
e-mail: jca@jcaelectronics.ca
http://www.jcaelectronics.ca