Development of a Multiprocessor Data Telemetry System for Off-Road Vehicles
Date
1991-12
Authors
Fox, Robert Michael
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Abstract
Large quantities of research have already been completed on increasing the efficiency of off-road vehicles through both equipment improvements and operator techniques. The purpose of this project was to design and implement a data telemetry system, specifically for farm tractors, that allowed improvements to be demonstrated to the agricultural community. The scope of this project included both computer hardware and software design. The development process required investigations into data compression and error detection techniques that optimized the instrumentation currently available.
The hardware design incorporated a portable computer in the tractor to monitor sensor outputs and a standard desktop computer in the stationary facility to perform calculations, store data, and display results. The stationary computer was the primary storage area and the demonstration facility. Both computers communicated using modems at data rates up to 9600 bits per second. The software included data compression, error checking, and software handshaking to maintain the reliability of the transmitted data.
The laboratory results showed that this design technique would allow both research and demonstrations to be performed with this system. With the proper selection of sensors and data acquisition hardware, the techniques applied could be utilized in other forms of off-road vehicles.
Description
Keywords
data transmission systems, computer programs, data compression, error-correcting codes, tractors, farm management, data processing
Citation
Fox, R.M. (1991). Development of a multiprocessor data telemetry system for off-road vehicles (Unpublished thesis). Southwest Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.