Competence Centre for Digital Agriculture (KoDA)

The KoDA operates a high-performance AI server with 2 TB of RAM, 192 CPU cores with 3.80 GHz and four H100 Nvidia graphics cards.

You can find out how to use the AI server and further information in our Moodle course.

The geodata portal can be used not only to visualise spatial data, but also to exchange it and store it securely on the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre's servers. It is possible to design and publish customised maps. It is also possible to upload geodata. A search based on metadata promotes clarity.

The Veris Q2800 soil conductivity meter is used to determine the apparent electrical conductivity of the soil. The geo-referenced results make it possible to divide the field into zones within which further measurements can be carried out, for example. Measuring depths are 0 to 0.3 m and 0 to 0.9 m. The unit of measurement is mS/m (=1/R).

Four drones are available, either with an RGB, a multispectral or a thermal sensor. All drones are RTK-capable and suitable for mapping:

• DJI Matrice 300 RTK with a Zenmuse P1 45 MP RGB full frame camera
• DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral with a 4/3 CMOS, 20 MP RGB camera and a 1/2.8″ CMOS, 20 MP multispectral camera (four spectral channels: Green: 560 nm ±16 nm; Red: 650 nm ±16 nm; Red Edge: 730 nm ±16 nm and Near Infrared: 860 nm ±26 nm).
• DJI Phantom 4 Multispectral with six 1/2.9-inch CMOS cameras with 2.08 MP (effective pixels). (One RGB sensor and five monochrome sensors: Blue: 450nm ±16nm, Green: 560nm ±16nm, Red: 650nm ±16nm, Red Edge: 730nm ±16nm and Near Infrared: 840nm ±26nm)
• DJI Mavic 2 Enterprise Advanced with a thermal imaging camera (sensor: uncooled Vox microbolometer) and a 1/2" CMOS RGB camera with 48 MP.

You can find information on borrowing for research and study projects at the bottom of this page. We are happy to carry out aerial surveys on request.

There is also a DJI Agras T50 with a system for applying fertiliser and pesticides, which can be used in projects by KoDA staff on request. The DJI Agras T50 drone is operated exclusively by KoDA staff.

In addition to digital surface models (DOM), orthorectified images can also be calculated from drone images. The results are digital orthophotos (DOP). On request, we can process drone images into DOM and DOP or provide access to the drone mapping software WebODM or Metashape, the photogrammetry software from Agisoft.

3D models are calculated using multi-perspective images. Point clouds and triangular meshes can be derived from the resulting data, which can be used for measuring the objects (heights, volumes and lengths), among other things. We are also happy to create the models on commission if the object under investigation is made available to us.

Pattern recognition is used to automate processes. It can be used to recognise, measure or assess objects in an image. We are happy to advise you on issues relating to the subject areas of our green University of applied sciences.

Support for getting started with, switching to or customising the free open source software QGIS. Training courses on „Working with QGIS“, processing and analysing QGIS data on request.

In addition to the already widespread video conferencing platform the Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ) also offers a variety of other services. These include cloud storage Sync and Share and the Compute Cloud for the autonomous management of virtual machines. With Gitlab is a very popular platform for the management of (software) projects. We advise on whether and how LRZ services can be used in a project. If required, we can support their introduction.

LoRaWAN wireless technology enables the energy-efficient transmission of sensor data to the internet. A very large number of individual sensors can be connected bidirectionally to a remote server via a so-called gateway. Compared to WLAN, the data rate of LoraWAN is low, but at the same time significantly greater ranges can be achieved. We would be happy to advise you on setting up a complete process chain and on storing and visualising the transmitted data on a cloud server.

ODK (Open Data Kit) is an open source platform for mobile data collection that makes it possible to create structured forms, collect data offline and synchronise it later. The forms are usually created with XLSForm in Excel and then used in ODK tools such as ODK Collect.

The Bambu Lab P1S with a print area size of 250 mm x 250 mm x 250 mm and the Prusa i3 MK3 with a print area size of 210 mm x 210 mm x 250 mm are available. All common plastics such as ABS, PLA or PETG can be processed. We are available to advise you on the design of the components to be printed.

A Haase AL1065 Profi is available for the precise, computer-controlled processing of thinner sheet metal, plastic and wooden panels. The maximum traverse path is 1000 mm x 650 mm x 125 mm. The maximum material thickness depends on the type of material and the type of processing. In addition to panels for switchboards, it is also possible to process finished components.

The Tipard robot platform serves as a mobile basis for integrating a wide range of sensors. It is equipped with a ToF camera, two LiDAR sensors from SICK, ultrasonic sensors from Bosch, Triad sensors and an AI-supported image processing system, among other things.
The platform is electrically powered and reaches speeds of up to 6 km/h, with the option for longer journeys. It enables the automatic completion of predefined missions and supports RTK positioning for precise navigation data.
It can also be used on fields and uneven terrain. It is also possible to integrate additional or alternative sensors.
The robot platform is operated exclusively by KoDA staff.

The mobile measuring laboratory Labjack U3 is connected to a laptop or PC via USB and has various interfaces. The device can be used to display and record data from various sensors (temperature, angle, etc.). The device is very inexpensive compared to other commercial systems, but has a lower resolution (12 bit). It is good for simple measurement tasks and for use in student projects.

The modular and energy-efficient Arduino microprocessor can be used for the acquisition and transmission of measurement data as well as for the automation of processes. A wide range of different sensors and testing options are available. We will be happy to advise you on possible applications and assist you with setup and installation.

In addition to its expandability and computing power, the Raspberry Pi single-board computer is characterised above all by its digital and analogue inputs and outputs. These make it suitable for control and regulation tasks as well as for recording measured values. Simple programmes can be executed on the RPi itself. The system can also be used as a desktop PC with a Linux operating system if requirements are low. We are happy to assist you with the configuration of the RPi.

Systems from various manufacturers - Trimble, Topcon and u-Blox - are available with different positioning accuracies. All systems support RTK (Real Time Kinematic) for high-precision positioning.
The u-Blox F9P is available both individually and as a complete surveying pole. If required, the devices can be customised to the respective application and can also be rented out.

A mobile mapping system is used to add „geographical position“ information to a wide range of measured values. Several surveying rods with RTK-capable u-Blox receivers are available, with which position accuracies in the range of 2-3 cm can be achieved. The position information can be integrated into the QField mobile app, for example. The positioning accuracy can be defined and adjustments can be made to different target operating systems.

The Trimble GreenSeeker is a hand-held measuring device that can be used to determine the NDVI (normalised differentiated vegetation index) of plants over a circular area of approximately 0.5 m². The measurement can be carried out selectively or continuously over short periods of time as a single or average value.

The SparkFun Triad Spectroscopy Sensor - AS7265x (Qwiic) is a powerful multispectral sensor designed for precise colour measurement and material analysis. It combines three AS7265x sensors, with which a total of 18 different wavelength ranges of the ultraviolet, visible and near infrared range (410-940 nm) can be covered.

The Ocean Optics STS UV, VIS and NIR spectrometers can measure wavelengths in the range from 190 to 650 nm, from 350 to 800 nm and from 650 to 1100 nm. The C15712, C15713 and C15714 sensors with measuring ranges of 1350 to 1650 nm, 1550 to 1850 nm and 1750 to 2150 nm are specifically suitable for the range above 1000 nm. A DLP NIRscan Nano EVM module from Texas Instruments with a range of 900 to 1700 nm is also available.

The Specim IQ camera from Konica Minolta, with a resolution of 512 x 512 pixels and 204 spectral channels, is suitable for images with a better spatial resolution.

Data acquisition is carried out on a PC or laptop. The data is transferred via USB.

The Intel ® RealSense™ camera series offers powerful 3D depth sensing for applications in robotics, automation, research and more. With an integrated IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and a wide field of view and global shutter, the D435i is suitable for dynamic scenarios. The D456 extends these functions with an IP65-certified housing, making it particularly suitable for outdoor use.

Dustproof and waterproof, shockproof action cameras with optical image stabilisation that can record videos up to 4K and 60 FPS/1080p and 240 FPS (Hero 7) and 5K and 30 FPS/1080 and 240 FPS (Hero 9).

Please register at least two days before entering the workshop or labs. Simply send an e-mail to the KoDA staff:

To: peter.hopf@hswt.de

CC: patrick.noack@hswt.de, sascha.fast@hswt.de, koda@hswt.de

Please describe in the e-mail which activities you want to carry out, which tools and machines you expect to need and whether you already have experience with this equipment.

Training by KoDA staff is mandatory so that the equipment and tools can be used. In addition, it is mandatory to wear appropriate protective clothing and safety shoes in the workshop and laboratories.

Please sign in with the workshop manager in the foreman's office (Q.001.1) before entering the KoDA hall and sign out again when you leave.

The entire terms of use and the deviating conditions for staff can be found here.

Follow the steps in the section „User account for borrowing“.

A personal user account is required for borrowing, for this you must first register on the page https://ausleihe-tr.hswt.de/ with your university ID. This can only be accessed via Eduroam or a VPN.

Then please send an e-mail with the subject „[leihs] Anmeldung“ with the following data to koda@hswt.de:

• First name and surname

The user account will be activated after verification.

With a user account, hardware and equipment can be borrowed from us in the following way:

1. Log in to the loan system with your personal access data
2. Add one or more items to the order, specifying the desired quantity and duration of the loan.
3. Submit the order, stating the purpose of use (research project, student thesis, supervisor), and accept the loan conditions
4. After the order has been approved by KoDA, you will receive an e-mail informing you of the collection options.

Please send general questions, problems and requests by e-mail to koda@hswt.de with the subject „[leihs] General enquiry“.