A hand-held data logger with integral GPS for producing weed maps by field walking

The Silsoe Patch Spraying System is dependent for its operation on the availability of a field map of weed patch distribution. The strategy for building weed maps is to use a number of different techniques at various times through the season. Techniques may include aerial image interpretation, near-ground image capture and analysis and manual surveying. An important source of knowledge is the farmer who has a qualitative mental record of weed distribution in the field and who regularly walks his fields, thus gaining more knowledge. A compact hand-held data logger, based on a palm-top PC linked to a differential Global Positioning System (GPS) system in a backpack, has been developed to aid the farmer during field walking. It can record weed information and position, which is displayed on a screen map for later updating of a 'master' field weed map held on the farm PC. The software has been written to provide a good user interface, data checking of all user input and compatibility with the mapping system used to drive the Patch Spraying System.