5G Innovation Regions
This project aims to increase 5G adoption, focussing on key sectors with local capabilities and opportunities.
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Our research team are working to develop similar solutions with automating methane measurements within the milking parlour at Nafferton Farm to align with milk data.
The sensors are enabled onto LoRaWAN, a long-range wide area wireless network which has ultra-low power usage and is ideal for data transfer. With this technology we aim to drive automation, boost efficiency, and enhance sustainability within agriculture.
The project was co-developed by NU Farms and the National Innovation Centre for Rural Enterprise (NICRE) and is in partnership with the North East Combined Authority, Enable North, Digital Catapult and UK Agri-tech Centre.
Wireless sensor technologies are designed to capture real-time data to support efficient on-farm decision making. Soil sensors being trialled at Cockle Park measure moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity and a handful of them are set up as weather stations, with all the data accessed via a dashboard. These first sensors are aiming to support both agroforestry and field cultivation research platforms and pose an excellent opportunity for learning and teaching. Using the power of AI, we can enable the ability to predict carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
If you would like to get in contact with the team at NU Farms regarding this project, please contact Sophia Long at s.long6@newcastle.ac.uk
The project is one of four in the North East funded as part of the Department for Science Innovation and Technology (DSIT) ‘5G Innovation Regions (5GIR)’ initiative. The funding includes a £1.28million investment in NU Farms.
These activities support 5G and advanced wireless connectivity as key components of the regional digital strategy to build on the key strengths of the region. The four projects are:
- 5G-enabled port operations
- Connected Intelligent Transport Systems
- 5G-Enabled event production and 360º live broadcasting
- Advanced wireless sensor technology on farms