The device performs two functions simultaneously-monitoring and protection.
For monitoring, an acoustic channel is used, which diagnoses the possible presence of harmful insects of the family "Rhynchophorus ferrugineus" ("red palm weevil" or Red Palm Weevil (RPW). Acoustic diagnostics is performed through two channels: conductive and "air". Both channels are equipped with highly sensitive broadband microphones. In the "conductive" channel, the microphone has direct contact with the trunk of a palm tree, through the "air" channel, the ambient sound is simply listened to in a wide frequency range, in order to detect the characteristic sounds of the palm tree being undermined by harmful insects. Through these channels, the audio information enters the processor for processing, where software algorithms and filters highlight the presence in the sound spectrum of characteristic audio signals for the above-mentioned insect pests.
Acoustic diagnostics is carried out in case some part of the beetles, by chance or independent circumstances, was able to enter the palm tree. This allows you to quickly and timely learn about the infection and quickly take measures to combat them, for example, to treat palm trees with insecticides.
The device has the ability to combine devices into a monitoring network, with the identification of each device and the transmission of data from each of them to a central server, via standard communication channels (presumably wireless networks, for example, WiFi and / or GSM). These capabilities will allow remote monitoring of the condition of palm trees, from almost any geographical point.
In addition to monitoring, the device provides the creation of an electrostatic protective barrier. According to the materials of scientific research, it is known that an electrostatic field with specific parameters can repel insects. The intensity of the electric field can vary and be selected within a wide range, depending on the sensitivity of insects, which is different for different insects, respectively.
Practically, with the design of an electrostatic screen in the form of a grid of conductors located at a short distance (several centimeters) from the grounded grid, when a negative potential is applied to the grid of conductors, a repelling effect is provided for a wide range of insects.
It should be noted that an electrostatic field is generated in the device and the high-voltage converter cannot physically provide dangerous currents for people and animals. In extreme cases, if the insulation of the electrostatic screen is damaged, a person (or an animal) when touching high-voltage conductive parts will receive an unpleasant "click" with a discharge of static electricity, and nothing more.
Physically, the electrostatic barrier is provided by wrapping several turns of a thin (about 1 mm in diameter) wire with high-quality insulation around the trunk of a palm tree, which is under a negative electric potential (practically not noticeable on a palm tree). The positive (grounded) electrode in this case is the actual trunk of the palm tree.
For the maximum degree of protection, the device is supposed to be placed in the upper part of the palm tree, in addition to this, the upper device can also cover the most vulnerable upper part with an electrostatic screen (the rosette of leaves on the top of the palm tree), through which, as a rule, harmful insects penetrate into the trunk.