Date palm monitoring device "PalmGuard" , with protection functions. It is a compact autonomous device placed on the trunk of a palm tree.
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, it is assumed that the device is 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.
When placing the device on the trunk of a palm tree, it should be oriented in such a way that the solar panels receive energy (illuminated by the sun) for as long and efficiently as possible during the day.
Mechanically, it is supposed to fix the device on the dead parts of the leaf stem remaining after pruning, or with a fastening belt around the trunk of a palm tree. The protective wire that provides an electrostatic barrier can also be imperceptibly laid between the dead "stumps" from the chopped leaves, in a kind of"sinuses". The size of the electrostatic barrier (the number of turns) can vary in the widest range from a few turns to covering the entire trunk of a palm tree with an electrostatic screen.
The device is made in an all-weather design with a level of moisture protection that ensures reliable and safe operation of the device in all weather conditions (taking into account the climatic zone of palm trees). The device itself does not require any maintenance throughout the entire service life, which will be approximately at least 5-6 years, except for the possible replacement of the battery after 2-3 years. This requirement is due to the natural electrochemical aging processes of lithium batteries at elevated temperatures (because the device will be exposed to the sun for a long time and may heat up significantly).
The device actually has a dual power supply system consisting of a sufficiently capacious battery on which the device can work independently for at least 3 days, and a high-efficiency solar battery that works to recharge the battery and even to power the device itself, on a clear sunny day. Taking into account the fact that the device's operating mode is round-the-clock, but the battery energy consumption occurs only at night, and during the day the solar battery energy is enough to replenish the battery charge and to power the device itself, we can assume that with regard to power supply, the device is completely autonomous and does not require frequent battery replacement or any recharging during the entire service life.
The expected guaranteed operating time before replacing the battery (due to its natural aging, and even in operating conditions at elevated temperatures) - 2-3 years.
It should be noted that the device has quite advanced self-diagnostics tools, and will promptly warn about any problems, including the loss of capacity by the battery, below the permissible limit (of course, if the devices are combined into a monitoring network with data output to a central server and analysis of information on it.)
Taking into account the experimental nature of the device, the possibilities of remote monitoring and combining devices into a single information space, with reference to geographical coordinates, will be very useful, and will allow monitoring the condition of palm plantations as fully as possible and effectively protect them from damage by harmful insects.