Tractors, trucks and passenger vehicles will become roaming Wi-Fi Access Points, as part of a new UTS research collaboration to provide farm-wide internet coverage via next-generation radio frequency and antenna technologies.
Connectivity is crucial
Inadequate internet and mobile phone connectivity remains a significant issue for Australian primary producers. Lack of connectivity leaves many Australian primary producers with insufficient access to telecommunications across their properties and throughout their communities. This lack of connectivity presents significant social, economic and safety problems. Furthermore, it hinders farmers’ ability to capitalise on precision agriculture more broadly and agtech innovations including autonomous, terrestrial sensing and management systems.
An efficiently designed antenna integrated with an RF (radiofrequency) module can significantly increase coverage and reduce the overall costs of a communication system.
Research collaboration
The 'Farm-wide Wi-Fi Project' involves Australian agtech company Zetifi working alongside researchers at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and Charles Sturt University. The team is developing technology to solve connectivity problems in areas with little or no mobile coverage to provide fast and reliable connectivity that increases productivity, profitability, safety and quality of life.
This is the first project to be announced as part of the Global Digital Farm, Australia’s first ‘hands-free farm’ at Wagga Wagga, where the technology will be trialled and tested.
UTS researchers will design and develop novel RF and antenna technologies that will be fitted to mobile and stationary farming enabling long-range connectivity in rural areas.
Food Agility Chief Scientist, Professor David Lamb, explains how connectivity will be essential to the future of farming:
“The new technology would enable infrastructure for Australian agriculture. Improving connectivity for Australian farmers remains the most critical factor in driving productivity and sustainability in agriculture.”
Food Agility Chief Scientist, Professor David Lamb
“Farmers increasingly rely on high-level data analytics, automation and networks of devices that talk to each other over vast distances. This new technology will connect people and devices far beyond the farm gate and will be the backbone for the future of autonomous farming.”
Rural areas need access to reliable wi-fi
Zetifi CEO, Dan Winson, said farmers deserved the same connectivity for their businesses as those in urban areas.
“I’ve seen farmers perform the most amazing acts of contortion, hanging out tractor windows and climbing up ladders, trying to get a decent connection.”
Zetifi CEO, Dan Winson
“This will be an Australian-designed solution, made for Australian conditions to deliver connectivity wherever it’s needed on the farm. It will complement NBN wireless broadband and satellite coverage, helping farmers to transfer critical data across our vast landscapes.”
Co-Director, Radio Frequency and Communication Technologies (RFCT) facility at UTS and Sensing Innovations Lead at Food Agility CRC, Dr Negin Shariati, explains how connectivity will be enabled:
“At the heart of every communication system providing long-range connectivity is an antenna and RF system. RFCT researchers will design, fabricate and test efficient antennas that will be integrated with a custom RF system to enable long-range connectivity in smart farms.”
Co-director, UTS RFCT facility/ Sensing Innovations Lead, Food Agility - Negin Shariati
“RFCT researchers in collaboration with Zetifi have recently developed a new RF and antenna system to enhance connectivity in areas with poor coverage. We aim to bring the outcomes of our previous project to the next level of commercialisation through the Farm-wide Wi-Fi project in collaboration with Food Agility CRC“, Dr Negin Shariati said.
The Farm-wide Wi-Fi project aims to deliver a market solution within 18 months.
About Radio Frequency and Communication Technologies (RFCT)
The RF and Communications Technologies (RFCT) facility at the Faculty of Engineering and IT, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), brings together a team of highly qualified researchers and engineers with international and local experience. We enable collaborative multidisciplinary and industry-driven research and development at UTS. RFCT is a fully equipped facility and one of the only University R&D facilities in Australia capable of taking an idea from conceptual/theoretical phase to a working prototype under one roof.
About Zetifi
Zetifi is an Australian wireless networking startup that has successfully developed and commercialised a range of novel connectivity solutions for rural and remote areas, including the ZetiRover, a 4G/Wi-Fi gateway for farm machinery.
About Food Agility CRC
Food Agility CRC invests in world-leading research that is changing the way we produce, supply and consume food. Together with our partners, we create new data-driven technology for the agrifood industry using artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, sensors, advanced data analytics and more. Our partnership network spans the Australian agrifood and agtech industries and includes eight leading universities. We are funded by our partners and by the Australian Government through its CRC Program.
Related links:
NSW Government website- Chief Scientist and Engineer
Find out more about the electrical and electronic major in the undergraduate Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma in Professional Engineering Practice at UTS.