The challenges for telemetry solutions in Brazilian fields

Telemetry solutions - which allow remote data transmission - are not exactly new. However, in Brazil, we are still in the early stages, especially in forestry and the harvesting process in the forestry sector. One of the biggest challenges for the more comprehensive implementation of telemetry is the lack of telecommunications structure in the country.

According to a survey carried out by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) until April 2020, around 33 million people had access to broadband - in a country with 209 million inhabitants. On the other hand, the diagnosis also points out that Brazilian satellite capacity jumped from 68,1 GHz in 2016 to 129,4 GHz in 2019. This growth demonstrates that we are on the path to reaching remote areas and expanding communication capacity. One more step towards making telemetry more present in agribusiness.

And why is it important to move forward with this? A series of benefits can be achieved with the intensive use of telemetry. For example, monitoring the application processes of inputs (fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, etc.), items that correspond to more than half of the production costs in practically any crop. With real-time information, correction of any deviations can be made before the plot/farm ends, avoiding excess or lack of material. This way, we reduce costs and improve production volume.

It is also possible to increase reliability in recording machine data, which can be configured to automatically identify the activities performed, resulting in the possibility of automating workflows and not just individual machines.

Hexagon telemetry works on four fronts; 3G/4G, which connectivity faces coverage issues; radio, whose evolution in recent years has been significant, but depends on a private network and antennas; satellite, with greater range but higher cost; and hybrid systems (which combine two or more technologies).

In addition to the connectivity options, Hexagon has all the software tools (cloud and embedded in its dedicated hardware) for managing operations at different levels, providing telemetry in the broadest possible sense, which includes not only reading information from machinery, but also analysis, interpretation and generation of alerts, indicators and recommendations.

We believe that telemetry will bring more and more gains to Brazilian agribusiness, such as increased logistical efficiency through the adoption of this technology combined with optimization software (instead of simple trackers). More than waiting for a solution, we are working together in the fields to discover how to bring this tool to reality in the sector.

By Hexagon Agriculture division