Trimble - AgGPS Parallel Swathing Options

What does the AgGPS® Parallel Swathing Option do?
The AgGPS® Parallel Swathing Option adds lightbar-aided guidance to the AgGPS 132, AgGPS 124, AgGPS 214, and Case AFS Universal Receiver. The lightbar provides off track information which the operator uses to steer back on line.
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What benefit does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option provide?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option reduces farm expenses by enabling equipment operators to minimize redundant applications and skipped areas through efficient field coverage. This allows maximum ground coverage in the shortest time possible. Savings are further created by reducing equipment fuel consumption, lowing input material volumes, and freeing operator time. In addition, operators can avoid costly work stops by swathing in low visibility conditions such as dust, fog, and darkness.
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When is the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option used?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option can be used when chemical spraying, fertilizer and lime spreading, tilling and during seedbed preparation.
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Who uses the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option is designed for operators of spreader equipment. Additionally, post-emerge applicators can upgrade from foam marker systems to the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option.
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What GPS receivers support the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option is available for the AgGPS 132, AgGPS 124, and Case AFS Universal Receiver.
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What is included in the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option contains an in-cab mounted AgGPS 21 lightbar, wiring cable, external keypad, SonAlarm, and operating instructions. The cable connects the lightbar and external keypad to the AgGPS 132, AgGPS 124, or Case AFS Universal Receiver. The keypad provides a convenient user interface. The lightbar supplies off track information alerting the operator to steer back on line.
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Can the external keypad be configured?
The keypad can be configured to optimize specific field tasks. A list of options can be assigned to any key.

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Does the external keypad need to be configured?
The default setting enables the keypad to perform all major functions without configuration. Just attach the keypad and begin operating.
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Does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option include audible alarms?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option contains a SonAlarm. An audible alarm can sound when a headland boundary is crossed or when an operator advances to a new swath.
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Can the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option be moved from receiver to receiver?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option can be used with any AgGPS 132, AgGPS 124 or Case AFS Universal Receiver operating with firmware version 1.10 or greater. No password or other activation is required. An AgGPS 132 or Case AFS Universal Receiver operating with pre v1.10 firmware must be upgraded to use the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option.
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AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option Accuracy

How accurate is the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
Field tests show that when using the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option, skilled equipment operators correctly covered (zero overlap or skip) over 97.5% of each trail field. The cross track error in open fields is approximately 2 ft (0.6 m). However, results will vary depending on the operator driving skill and the DGPS correction quality. These tests used 70 to 80 ft (21 to 24 m) booms.
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Are equipment operators more accurate using GPS or foam marker guidance?
Field trials comparing GPS and foam marker guidance show that in ideal foam marking conditions, experienced operators using GPS and foam marker guidance achieve similar swath overlap and skip results. On spinner spreaders and in less ideal foam conditions, such as low visibility, wind, low humidity, rough terrain, and canopy crops, GPS swathing is more reliable and accurate than foam markers.
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What differential correction can be used when swathing with the AgGPS 132 or Case AFS Universal Receiver?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option operates with either beacon or L-band satellite DGPS. Both Racal Landstar and OmniSTAR satellite DGPS services are supported.
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Are the Fast Rate and EVEREST™ multipath rejection receiver options required to maximize AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option accuracy?
Fast Rate and EVEREST options, which increase the performance and usability of the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option, are automatically activated when the lightbar is attached to the receiver and guidance is enabled.
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How does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option reduce operator steering delay errors?
The configurable look ahead setting allows the system to compute off line error a configurable number of seconds into the future. This capability provides advanced swath error warning and allows the operator to make corrections before a large swathing error occurs.
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How often is the lightbar information updated?
The lightbar is updated five times each second.
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Operating the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option

How does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option lightbar indicate off track error?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option lightbar contains a row of LEDs (lights). The center LED represents the correct swath line. The LEDs to the left and right of the center represent a user-defined ground distance. For example, the operator may configure a 6 inch (0.15 m) LED sensitivity. In this example, the first LED to the left of the center represents 6 inches to the left of the swath line. The second LED to the left of center represents 1 foot (0.3 m), the third LED 1 foot 6 inches (0.45 m) and so on, to the end of the lightbar. When exactly on line, the center three LEDs illuminate. As the operator drives left of the swath line, the illumination band moves from the center LED towards the left edge of the lightbar. The operator steers to bring the illuminated LEDs back to center.
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Is the LED direction configurable?
Lightbar LEDs may be configured to display either operator error or operator correction. In error mode, the left of center LEDs represent a machine position that is left of center. In correction mode, left of center LEDs represent a machine position that is right of center.
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When does the operator use the lightbar?
The AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option lightbar is placed in the operator's peripheral vision. When turning, or changing swath row, the operator relies on the lightbar to get on line. Once on line, the operator picks a distant visual target and drives toward it. The operator periodically references the lightbar to correct off track errors.
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Is the lightbar LED sensitivity adjustable?
The lightbar LEDs can be configured to represent a user-defined ground distance. The minimum LED sensitivity represents 6 inches (0.15 m) on the ground. In typical straight line guidance operator a 1.5 ft (0.5 m) is selected.
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How is the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option configured to minimize skip?
To minimize skip, the swath width setting is configured slightly narrower than actual boom width. This makes the parallel swaths closer together and minimizes skip as the normal driving errors occur. This method is used when the cost of having a skip, that is an untreated region of the field, outweighs the additional cost related to increased overlap.
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How is the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option configured to balance skip and overlap?
To minimize overlap, the swath width setting is configured slightly wider than actual boom width. This makes the parallel swaths a little wider than the boom width which minimizes overlap as the normal driving errors occur. This feature is useful in situations where double application of a chemical or treatment will cause more harm than the small resulting skip.
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Does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option automatically increment the swath number?
In the straight A-B pattern, the row number can be automatically incremented.
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What automatic swath increment settings are available?
The automatic turn and snap-to-swath settings are available.
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What is the difference between the Auto Turn and Snap-to-Swath setting?
The Auto Turn setting advances swath when the vehicle turns 110� with respect to the previous swath. The Snap-to-Swath setting creates an infinite number of swaths left and right of the A-B line. The system snaps to, or provides guidance down, the swath closed to the current position.
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Does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option allow headland areas to be created?
Headland areas can be created. Within and beyond the headland area, the lightbar's large center LED illuminates alerting the operator to take appropriate action.
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Can field area be calculated while using the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
Area can be calculated while using the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option. The external keypad is used to mark field corners. As each field corner is added, the area is displayed on the lightbar and receiver "Utility Area" or "Adjusted Area" screens. The area of irregular fields may be calculated with up to 100 points marking the field boundary. Area points must be marked in either a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction with no crossovers.
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Can the antenna location be offset to represent the location of an implement?
The antenna location can be "offset" to represent an implement in front or behind the physical antenna location. The feature enables end of swath warning to occur when the implement, rather than the antenna, crosses a field boundary.
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What patterns are available when using the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
The following patterns are available:
1. A-B - back and forth
2. Skip N - the operator skips every N swaths and then in a racetrack fashion the operator comes back to the previously missed swaths. This pattern is ideal for vehicles with a large turn radius.
3. Curve Following - enables the operator to follow curved lines. Ideal for following contours or other natural field lines.
4. Spiral - a variation of curve following where the user continually increments in the same direction, typically used to continuously work towards the inside or outside of a field in a circular fashion.
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Does the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option allow equipment operators to leave the field in mid-swath, return, and begin swathing as before?
The pause/resume function allows operator to leave the swath row, navigate back to the pause location and begin swathing as before.
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Can GPS data be output to other precision agriculture equipment while swathing?
To activate the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option, the lightbar is attached to a single AgGPS 132 port. The other port can be independently configured to output NMEA data at a user-selected interval to precision agriculture equipment including yield monitors, variable rate planters, application controllers, and portable field computers.
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Are computer skills required to use the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option?
No computer skills are required to use the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option.
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Curve Following Intelligence

Can the AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option be used to follow curve swaths?
Curve Following intelligence enables an operator to follow a curved swath. In the curve pattern, guidance is provided parallel to the last swath driven.
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What is Curve Following?
Curve Following is an AgGPS Parallel Swathing Option pattern that enables curved swaths. Curve Following is useful for guidance along field contours and other natural phenomena.
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Is automatic swath increment available in Curve Following mode?
The swath number must be manually incremented when using the Curve Following pattern. Automatic swath increment functionality depends on turn detection and location relative to the previous swath. Because bends and turns occur regularly when curve following, the current automatic swath increment algorithms are not operational.
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Can Curve Following be used to drive a spiral pattern?
Curve Following can be used to drive spiral patterns.
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How are headlands created when swathing in Curve Following mode?
As the operator drives, positions marking the headland are stored. After the first pass the operator can save the headland or opt for a second pass. The second pass becomes the new headland and guidance is provided parallel to the previous headland.
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Does Curve Following work like straight A-B guidance?
Curve Following operates differently than A-B guidance. In A-B guidance, the receiver needs just two points (A and B) to begin the parallel swathing process. Guidance is provided parallel to the line created by the A and B point. In contrast, Curve Following needs many points to create a curved line. While driving, positions are automatically stored in receiver memory. At each swath increment, guidance is provided parallel to the previous swaths logged positions. Points generated two swaths prior to the current swath are discarded. New positions are logged for guidance down the next swath.
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