NTech Greenseeker 505 Operating Manual

Hand held optical sensor unit

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Model 505

™

GreenSeeker Hand Held

Optical Sensor Unit

Operating Manual

740 South State Street Ukiah, CA 95482

tel 707-467-3747

fax 707-467-3750

toll-free 888-728-2436

www.ntechindustries.com

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Page 1 ® Model 505 ™ GreenSeeker Hand Held Optical Sensor Unit Operating Manual 740 South State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 tel 707-467-3747 fax 707-467-3750 toll-free 888-728-2436 www.ntechindustries.com...
Page 2 500-1-030 Rev I: 2006.05.04...
Page 3: Table Of Contents
Log Plots Mode Data Management..........................12 Helpful Hints ............................13 APPENDIX A: Data Output Options ....................15 © APPENDIX B: How To Re-install NTech Capture ................. 17 For Pocket PC 2002:...............................17 For Pocket PC 2003:...............................17 APPENDIX C: Vegetation Indices Available in the GreenSeeker ®...
Page 4: The Greenseeker Hand Held™ Optical Sensor Unit
(plant/crop) conditions during the growing season and the effects of different levels of an input compared to a local standard. The GreenSeeker Hand Held Optical Sensor Unit utilizes NTech’s second-generation optical sensor technology. The Unit generates light at two specific wavelengths and measures the light reflected off the target (typically plants in soil).
Page 5: Greenseeker Hand Held - Quick Start
• Turn on the power to the Sensor (switch is located on the Control Box). • Turn on your iPAQ and go to the Start menu. Click on Programs then the NTech Capture icon to open the program. • Select FP_NDVI (Farmer Practice) or RS_NDVI (Nitrogen Rich Strip) by clicking on Activate.
Page 6: Primary Components
Personal Digital Assistant The Sensor Unit requires an iPAQ PDA to display and store the data from the Sensor. Refer to the iPAQ manual for operating © instructions. The NTech Capture program is pre-loaded on the iPAQ. Powered PDA Cradle This rugged mount securely fastens the PDA to the extension pole of the Sensor Unit.
Page 7: Sensor
Sensor The reflectance readings are taken in this unit. This unit uses internal illumination for use in any lighting condition, day or night. When the unit is on, a red band of light will be observed immediately below the rectangular Sensor window. The Sensor is designed to be 32 to 48 inches over the desired plant/crop canopy to be sensed.
Page 8: Connections
Connections Verify the connections between the Sensor, the battery pack and the PDA per the figures below. Sensor Connection A 12-pin connector mates to the Sensor with two captive screws. Be sure it is mounted in the lower port shown below. Do not connect to the adjacent connector port. Control Box to iPAQ Connections The Control Box is connected to the Powered Cradle/iPAQ with a DB9 (RS232) serial cable.
Page 9: Software Information
• Turn on the power switch located on the Control Box. • Turn on your iPAQ and go to the Start menu. Click on Programs then the NTech Capture icon to open the program. • Select FP_NDVI (Farmer Practice) or RS_NDVI (Nitrogen Rich Strip) by clicking on Activate.
Page 10 Data: Log Strips Mode Once saved, you can view the data collected by simply selecting the name of the file in the “Field/File Name:” box. The filename.txt file contains three pieces of information: Average FP_NDVI value Average RS_NDVI value Maximum NDVI from the rich strip (RS). The data displayed can be used to generate a nitrogen recommendation when used in conjunction with the Oklahoma State University webpage: http://www.soiltesting.okstate.edu/SBNRC/SBNRC.php...
Page 11: Log Plots Mode
• Turn on the power switch located on the Control Box. • Turn on your iPAQ and go to the Start menu. Click on Programs then the NTech Capture icon to open the program. • Select Sensor and Start GreenSeeker.
Page 12: Log Plots Mode Data Management
Log Plots Mode Data Management The data collected with the GreenSeeker Hand Held may be written to the iPAQ’s internal memory or a removable memory card. It can then be exported to your PC by syncing the iPAQ with your computer. Filename.txt and filenameAvg.txt are written to a comma-delimited ASCII text file suitable for direct import to Microsoft Excel.
Page 13: Helpful Hints
Helpful Hints • CAUTION: If the iPAQ has not been charged for several days, the captured data on the iPAQ may be lost. It is critical that you pull the data off the iPAQ and save it to your PC or a memory card.
Page 14 NTech and its distributors make no guarantees regarding the results you may obtain from the use of this equipment. NTech and its distributors will not be liable for any consequential damages incurred by the use of NTech products, including but not limited to loss or reduction in crop yields, or changes in the amounts and expenses of crop fertilizers or other input materials.
Page 15: Appendix A: Data Output Options
Capture, but are useful for proprietary data logging systems. Connect the serial cable to a null modem adapter (available at most electronics store or can be purchased from NTech, p/n 350-6-077) then to a PC’s available serial port. Run HyperTerminal with the following Com port settings: 38,400 Baud, Data bits: 8, Parity: None, Stop bits: 1, Flow Control: None.
Page 16 1. Data Output Interval ranges from 20ms to 1500ms (50Hz - 0.33Hz). This output interval might be decreased to gather data faster, which is useful if moving at higher speeds. It may be increased to match other data logging equipment or to limit the amount of data gathered.
Page 17: Appendix B: How To Re-Install Ntech Capture
• From the Windows Taskbar, select Start | Run. Once the Run window appears, type: D:\NTech Capture\2003\Install2.exe (where D: is the CD drive) • The NTech Capture Installer window will open. Click on the Next button and follow the on-screen instructions.
Page 18: Appendix C: Vegetation Indices Available In The Greenseeker ® Sensor
® Several indices are available from the NTech GreenSeeker Sensors. The sensor always outputs NDVI, plus an additional index (default is IRVI), which makes it possible to compare indices on the same data at the same time.
Page 19 NTech Industries, Inc. 740 South State Street Ukiah, CA 95482 tel 707-467-3747 fax 707-467-3750 toll-free 888-728-2436 www.ntechindustries.com 500-1-030 Rev I: 2006.05.04...