Module for Virtual Calibration of Sensors of Agricultural Spraying Systems (temperature, pressure and flow) Using an Arduino-based Architecture and a Controller Area Network Bus (CAN)

This paper presents a method for the development of a sensor' virtual calibration module for agricultural sprayers, i.e., using an Arduino-based architecture, which uses an Atmel Atmega 328 microcontroller, as well as the CAN protocol for communication and data analysis. A set of sensors is present in agricultural spraying systems. They are used to control both the quality of pesticides application and to ensure the reliability of the sprayers' processes. In such context, measurements such as temperature, flow, and pressure, among other variables, are important for the decision making processes. Besides, for such tasks all the sensors must be calibrated, as well as be operating properly. Such module for virtual calibration makes possible to validate the calibration of these sensors in real time, and also allows emulating a direct operation on the sprayers, i.e., allowing to checkup if the sensor's operational procedures are or not correct. In this context, the organization of knowledge and the establishment of an adequate computational semantics for a correct operation of this module present a strategic role, so that users of the agricultural sector can appropriate the technology and use it appropriately.