A portable field data logger-penetrometer interface

• Published in: Computers and electronics in agriculture Vol. 3; no. 3; pp. 255 - 261
• Main Authors: Wagner, S.W., Johnson, J.F., Voorhees, W.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 1989; Elsevier
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Biometrics, statistics, experimental designs, modeling, agricultural computer applications; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Generalities. Biometrics, experimentation. Remote sensing; Physical properties; Physics, chemistry, biochemistry and biology of agricultural and forest soils; Soil science; Structure, texture, density, mechanical behavior. Heat and gas exchanges; Resistance; Soils; Soil structure; Method; Computerized processing
• ISSN: 0168-1699; 1872-7107
• DOI: 10.1016/0168-1699(89)90006-9

A Bush Recording Soil Penetrometer was interfaced to a portable field data logger (The Polycorder Electronic Notebook), Model 516C-634, manufactured by Omnidata International. Penetrometer data were automatically read and transferred, under microprocessor control, to the portable data logger via an interface cable and appropriate software. The electronic interface linking the two instruments and the interface software is discussed. Use of the system reduced the required field data collection time by approximately 50% and minimized the chance for human error in the data collection process. The system also allows for efficient and accurate transfer of recorded field data to a separate desk-top microcomputer for subsequent analysis.