Real-time controlled direct injection system for precision farming

Real-time controlled pesticide application requires a fast reacting system, enabling continuous variation of pesticide type and concentration based on a control signal. Direct injection systems meet the requirements for such application; however there are significant differences in the response time and quality of single system designs. This article discusses the complex of problems in direct injection systems in connexion with real-time control and proposes optimisations of system parts in order to reduce the response time and improve the quality of the process. The system response time was reduced to 160 ms for 1% output concentration by optimization of the control process, injection assembly and mixing chamber design.