System for surveying orchards

• The system (LiDAR, GPS and computer) is mounted on a tractor.
• Scanning LiDAR costing around £3000 is used to generate range-interception data with: range resolution of 1 cm over the first 8 m, angular resolution of 0.5 degrees over 270 degrees, scanning frequency of 50 Hz.
• This LiDAR can also be set-up to scan the target rows on either side of the tractor in a single pass.
• Sequential output from LiDAR and GPS are combined using specialised computer software to produce crop structure maps of different types.
• The further development of decision support systems are key to utilizing these maps for improving the management of row crop structures.