Problem statement:The most dangerous insect for the existence of palm trees

Problem Statement: Pecan weevil is one of the most destructive pests of Oklahoma. The scope of this study is to develop a recognition system that can serve in a wireless imaging network for monitoring pecan weevils. Approach: The recognition methods used in this study are based on template matching. Five recognition methods were implemented: Normalized cross-correlation, Fourier descriptors, Zernike moments, String matching and Regional properties. The training set consisted of 205 pecan weevils and the testing set included 30 randomly selected pecan weevils and 74 other insects which typically exist in pecan habitat. Results: It was found that Region-based methods were better in representing and recognizing biological objects such as insects. Different recognition rates were obtained at different order of Zernike moments. The optimum result among the tested orders of Zernike moments was found to be at the order 3. The results also showed that using different number of Fourier descriptors may not significantly increase the recognition rate of this method. Conclusion:The most robust and reliable recognition rate was achieved when the Zernike moments and Region properties recognition methods were used in a combination. A positive match from either of these two independent tests would yield reliable results. Therefore, 100% recognition could be achieved by adopting the proposed algorithm. The processing time for such recognition is 0.44 sec.

Problem statement: Red palm weevil is the most destructive insect for palm trees all over the world. This research is part of developing an automated wireless red palm weevil detection and control system. The focus for this study was to develop red palm Weevil recognition system which can detect RPW in an image and can be used in wireless image sensor network which will be part of entire proposed system. Approach: Template based recognition techniques were used. Two general recognition methods i.e., Zernike and Regional Properties and an algorithm combining them were used. Besides that, a novel technique for detecting Rostrum of RPW named as 'Rostrum Analysis' was proposed and used for recognition, a conclusive algorithm based on all three techniques was also proposed, 319 test images of RPW and 93 images of other insects which found in RPW habitat were used. Results: It was found that both general techniques i.e., Regional Properties and Zernike Moments methods perform reasonably in recognizing RPW. The algorithm based on both these methods performs better than individual methods. The Rostrum Analysis outperforms better than both the earlier methods and proposed algorithm using all three analytical techniques gives best results among all discussed techniques in recognizing RPW as well as other insects. Conclusion: The most balanced and efficient recognition technique is to use the proposed conclusive algorithm which is combination of Regional Properties, Zernike Moments and Rostrum Analysis techniques. The maximum time for processing an image is 0.47 sec and the results obtained in recognizing the RPW and other insects are 97 and 88% respectively.

Problem statement:The aim of this research was to optimize the performance of solenoid valve used in Variable Rate Application System (VRA) in term of time response. The overall time response is usually divided into four parts i.e., plunger opening time, pressure opening time, plunger closing time and pressure closing time. Approach: The performance and design of the a solenoid valve used in VRA was analyzed methematically and experimentally. Voltage, current, pressure, spring constant, flow rate and mass of the plunger were found to be the main parameters affecting the performance of solenoid valve. Based on the analyses, some modifications were introduced in the design of the solenoid valve to enhance its performance. The newly designed solenoid valve was tested by varying the main parameters and its performance was compared in terms of time response. Results: The time respnose of the modified valve showed improvement. The plunger closing time for the modified valve improved by 79%. Depending on the types of nozzle, the pressure opening and closing time responses were reduced by 37-53% and 55-73% respectively. It was also observed time response was improved by 34% when springs with lower spring constants are used. Conclusion: After thorough testing of both the original and proposed valves, it was observed that proposed valve average performance is faster than the original valve by 22 msec or 56%. However, it was also found that it is mandatory to increase the operating voltage of propsed valve for the better performance.