Seed Drill Control System for Precision Farming

Project in a Nutshell: Promwad developed a control system for seed drills that enables real-time data processing and automatic adjustment of seeding parameters. The system includes an ECU, an optional HMI for intuitive monitoring, and dedicated modules for electric drive control, telematics, and sensor integration. This solution helped the client enhance product capabilities, increase market competitiveness, and create opportunities for future feature expansion while minimising maintenance costs.

Client & Challenge

An agricultural machinery manufacturer sought to modernise its seed drill line to meet market demands for greater precision and efficiency. Modern farmers — the end users of our client’s equipment — expect advanced automation, seamless integration with new technologies, and increased seeding precision. However, the client’s existing solutions lacked accuracy in depth and rate control and were incompatible with ISOBUS, remote monitoring, and maintenance systems.

Without technological upgrades, the client risked losing market share to more innovative competitors. To address these challenges, Promwad developed an advanced control system that:

Optimises seeding parameters in real-time, adapting to soil conditions, weather, and land relief.

Fully integrates with precision farming systems, including RTK, GNSS, and ISOBUS connectivity.

Supports remote monitoring, diagnostics, and over-the-air updates to enhance efficiency and reduce downtime.

The client chose Promwad for our expertise in designing cutting-edge electronics and software for agricultural machinery, as well as our ability to integrate seamlessly with industry standards such as ISOBUS.

Solution

The Promwad team developed an advanced control system that continuously analyses real-time data and adjusts seeding parameters for optimal performance. The solution consists of the following key components:

Main ECU сollects sensor data to regulate seeding depth and rate, adapting to soil conditions and moisture levels. It also controls the main seeding motor.

Electric drive control (ESD) module ensures the precise operation of brushless motors, reducing seed waste and improving efficiency. Built on the NXP S32K3 microcontroller, it runs an RTOS and is programmed in C. The module incorporates vector PWM, CAN communication, frequency sensor control, and ISOBUS support.

HMI (optional) provides real-time visual monitoring and allows manual adjustments when needed. Built on Promwad's HMI platform, it features a customisable interface, high-resolution graphics, and seamless integration with digital farming systems. It is specifically designed for tractors without ISOBUS support and is powered by the i.MX8M SoC runs Linux and is developed using C++ and Qt.

Communication and telematics modules facilitate data exchange via 4G/5G and support over-the-air (OTA) updates to keep the system up to date.

Sensor and actuator systems monitor critical parameters, including seed flow, hopper load, and speed, dynamically adjusting operations. It also controls furrow actuators and supports various calibration modes for different seed types.

This system provides operators with greater control and accuracy, enabling more efficient and precise seeding operations.

Business Value

With the seed drill control system developed by Promwad, the client significantly enhanced its product line and strengthened its market position:

Increased competitiveness by offering a cutting-edge technological solution that meets global precision farming standards.

Boosted sales through expanded functionality and greater cost-efficiency for farmers.

Entered new markets thanks to compatibility with ISOBUS global standards, precision farming technologies, and telematics systems.

Reduced maintenance and support costs by implementing remote diagnostics and OTA updates, minimising downtime and service expenses.

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More of What We Do for Agricultural Industry

Agricultural Machinery: our expertise in software and hardware design with case studies on embedded solutions for agricultural equipment.

ISOBUS Solutions: our services for the development and integration of ISOBUS stacks for data exchange between agricultural equipment from different manufacturers.