Abstract: Image acquisition and analysis systems for efficiently generating high resolution geo-referenced spectral imagery of a region of interest. In some examples, aerial spectral imaging systems for remote sensing of a geographic region, such as a vegetative landscape are disclosed for monitoring the development and health of the vegetative landscape. In some examples photogrammetry processes are applied to a first set of image frames captured with a first image sensor having a first field of view to generate external orientation data and surface elevation data and the generated external orientation data is translated into external orientation data for other image sensors co-located on the same apparatus for generating geo-referenced images of images captured by the one or more other image sensors.

Abstract: Image acquisition and analysis systems for efficiently generating high resolution geo-referenced spectral imagery of a region of interest. In some examples, aerial spectral imaging systems for remote sensing of a geographic region, such as a vegetative landscape are disclosed for monitoring the development and health of the vegetative landscape. In some examples photogrammetry processes are applied to a first set of image frames captured with a first image sensor having a first field of view to generate external orientation data and surface elevation data and the generated external orientation data is translated into external orientation data for other image sensors co-located on the same apparatus for generating geo-referenced images of images captured by the one or more other image sensors.

Abstract: Image acquisition and analysis systems for efficiently generating high resolution geo-referenced spectral imagery of a region of interest. In some examples, aerial spectral imaging systems for remote sensing of a geographic region, such as a vegetative landscape are disclosed for monitoring the development and health of the vegetative landscape. In some examples photogrammetry processes are applied to a first set of image frames captured with a first image sensor having a first field of view to generate external orientation data and surface elevation data and the generated external orientation data is translated into external orientation data for other image sensors co-located on the same apparatus for generating geo-referenced images of images captured by the one or more other image sensors.

Abstract: An in situ near infrared sensing unit includes a housing allowing the sensing unit to be inserted in a variety of media. A transparent window is formed in the sidewall of the housing. A sensing element is mounted inside the housing. The sensing element is configured to emit near infrared light provided from a light source external to the housing, and the sensing element is configured to collect near infrared light transmitted through the transparent window. A mirror is mounted in the housing at an angle with respect to the transparent window and opposite the sensing element. The angle allows the mirror to reflect the near infrared light, emitted by the sensing element, through the transparent window.

Abstract: A probe for penetrating and measuring electrical properties of a soil comprises a probe tip connected, via a coaxial cable, to electrical circuitry. The probe tip is convex and includes first and second electrodes with an electrode insulator therebetween. The first electrode is tubular and includes an interior surface defining a central opening extending through the first electrode. The second electrode includes a convex section extending away from the first electrode, and the convex section is configured for insertion into soil. The one end of the coaxial cable is disposed within the central opening of the first electrode, and the inner conductive core of one end of the coaxial cable connected to the second electrode, and the conductive shield of the one end of the coaxial cable connected to the first electrode.

Abstract: Subject soils are classified using a sensing tool. By profiling each of a number of first locations that have a ground truth classification, using a deployed sensing tool, digital soil properties of new locations without ground truth classifications can obtained to determine corresponding classifications for the new locations. This allows information related classifications to be utilized for optimal used of the new locations.

Abstract: An in situ near infrared sensing unit includes a housing allowing the sensing unit to be inserted in a variety of media. A transparent window is formed in the sidewall of the housing. A sensing element is mounted inside the housing. The sensing element is configured to emit near infrared light provided from a light source external to the housing, and the sensing element is configured to collect near infrared light transmitted through the transparent window. A mirror is mounted in the housing at an angle with respect to the transparent window and opposite the sensing element. The angle allows the mirror to reflect the near infrared light, emitted by the sensing element, through the transparent window.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for characterization of a physical site. One of the methods includes obtaining, for each of one or more physical locations corresponding to a respective coordinate at a surface of a growing medium at the locations, sensor data comprising a sensor profile generated from measurements taken by each of a plurality of sensors on a sensor unit passing through the respective coordinate at a plurality of different depth levels within the growing medium at the location; providing the sensor data as input to one or more probabilistic models configured to receive the sensor data comprising the respective sensor profiles to predict one or more characteristics of the growing medium at each of the physical locations; and obtaining, as output from the one or more probabilistic models, the one or more predicted characteristics for each physical location.

Abstract: Prescribing a drip line for use in a field includes: accessing soil conditions data that includes vertical transect data relating to at least one vertical transect of soil in a field; based on a plant type and a length of time between a first watering and a second watering of a plant via the drip line, determining, a desired plant available water content of a portion of the soil within the at least one vertical transect to be substantially achieved as a result of the first watering; and based on the vertical transect data, the determined desired plant available water content, climate conditions data and geographical conditions data, determining perforation spacing and flow rate for a set of emitters for the drip line such that the desired plant available water is substantially achieved in the portion of the soil.

Abstract: Prescribing a drip line for use in a field includes: accessing soil conditions data that includes vertical transect data relating to at least one vertical transect of soil in a field; based on a plant type and a length of time between a first watering and a second watering of a plant via the drip line, determining, a desired plant available water content of a portion of the soil within the at least one vertical transect to be substantially achieved as a result of the first watering; and based on the vertical transect data, the determined desired plant available water content, climate conditions data and geographical conditions data, determining perforation spacing and flow rate for a set of emitters for the drip line such that the desired plant available water is substantially achieved in the portion of the soil.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: Methods of characterizing subsurface conditions in a selected geographic region previously associated as a whole with a specific subsurface material characteristic reference profile such as from a USDA-NRCS soil survey. The method includes deploying a sensing tool at selected positions within the geographic region to determine a depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic such as soil type or strata, comparing the determined subsurface material characteristic to the subsurface material characteristic reference profile associated with the geographic region to determine a correlation between the subsurface material characteristic reference profile and the depth-referenced subsurface material characteristic, and then deciding whether to deploy the tool at another position, and at what optimum position to deploy the tool, by considering the correlation.

Abstract: A ground penetrometer for determining pH and oxidation reduction potential (ORP) of soils. The penetrometer includes an ORP electrode, a pH electrode, reference electrodes, and a temperature sensor. A singular reference electrode device establishes two reference partial electrical circuits complementing the ORP and pH electrodes. The reference electrode device includes an electrolytic chamber isolated from soil being investigated by an ion permeable ceramic barrier. Electrolytic liquids are retained within their chamber. The temperature sensor and the electrical circuits generate voltage or current signals to transducers, which in turn generate data signals responsive to the electrical signals to a microprocessor. The penetrometer, a driver for forcing the penetrometer into the ground, and the microprocessor are carried on a motorized vehicle to and about a site being investigated.