FARMDROID FD Base Station V2.0 Product information sheet

FARMDROID BASE STATION
ORIGINAL USER MANUAL
Version 1.3 –effective from December 2021

Table of Contents
1General Information................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 EU Declaration of Conformity............................................................................................................ 2
1.2 Technical Data................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Base Station Purpose and Function.................................................................................................. 4
2Safety Instructions ..................................................................................................................................... 6
2.1 IT & Communications Safety............................................................................................................. 6
3Upon Reception......................................................................................................................................... 7
4Prior to Installation..................................................................................................................................... 8
4.1 Test of Internet Performance............................................................................................................. 8
4.2 SIM-card from FarmDroid.................................................................................................................. 8
4.3 SIM-card from Third-party Provider................................................................................................... 8
5Installation................................................................................................................................................ 10
5.1 Mounting the GPS-antenna Cable................................................................................................... 11
5.2 Mounting the External GSM-antenna (Optional) ............................................................................. 11
5.3 Connecting Power to the Base Station............................................................................................ 11
5.4 Setup of Base Station GPS position................................................................................................ 12
5.5 Replacement of the SIM card in the Base Station (if required)....................................................... 12
6Service and Maintenance........................................................................................................................ 14
7Disposal................................................................................................................................................... 14
8Troubleshooting....................................................................................................................................... 14

User Manual, Base Station V2.0 Version 1.3 –Dec 2021
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1 General Information
This user manual is exclusively for the FarmDroid ApS Base Station V2.0 and the associated GPS-antenna.
In this manual, two different symbols are used to indicate sections and paragraphs of special attention to the
user.
Used to draw special attention to important operational related information.
Used to draw special attention to important safety related information.
For more detailed guidance and support, please refer to the FarmDroid Guidelines which can be found in the
knowledge base or contact your local distributor.
FarmDroid Knowledge Base:
https://knowledge.farmdroid.io/
Manufacturer contact information:
FarmDroid ApS
Industrisvinget 5
DK - 6600 Vejen
Web: www.farmdroid.dk
Mail: [email protected]

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1.1 EU Declaration of Conformity

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1.2 Technical Data
Basic technical information for the Base Station and GPS-antenna:
Manufacturer
FarmDroid ApS
Model
FD Base Station V2.0
Part No.
103010000R00
Power supply
220/230 VAC 2-Pin euro plug
Power cable length
1.5 m
Power consumption
10W
GPS-antenna cable length
4 m
RTK-GPS reach
Radius of 10 km.
SIM card type
Standard SIM (Provided by FarmDroid)
GPS antenna and bracket weight
1550g
Base Station weight
1650g
Base Station size LxWxH
240x190x90mm
Ingress Protection
IP65

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1.3 Base Station Purpose and Function
The Base Station is designed to communicate with and provide the FarmDroid FD20 V2.X with a real-time
corrected RTK-GPS signal. The Base Station is a prerequisite for high precision navigation and therefore
necessary for operation i.e. seeding and in-row weeding.
Each Base Station and robot are connected via a virtual tunnel that allows the robot to correct its navigation
according to the known fixed location of the Base Station. Therefore, when a field has been set up in a robot,
using a specific Base Station, this specific Base Station must be used for that specific field for the entire
season from seeding until the end of weeding.
A Base Station is considered accurate within a 10 km radius. Above this, the accuracy is impaired by
interference, hence FarmDroid does not support or recommend use beyond this distance.
If the robot is connected to another Base Station, the virtual reference point moves significantly.
Therefore, it is of utmost importance that each field uses the same specific Base Station dedicated to that
specific field for an entire season. A change between Base Stations will cause a deviation that cannot be
compensated for; thus, the precision and accuracy of the operation will be significantly impaired.
Equally, if the GPS-antenna for the Base Station is moved during the season, intentionally or unintentionally,
the Robot’s reference point and run pattern is moved equally.
Scenarios
Prerequisite
A farmer has multiple fields within a radius of
10km.
The farmer needs a single Base Station as this
can cover all his fields.
When moving the Robot from one field to
another, the only requirement is to select the
current field in the HMI on the robot prior to
activating the robot.
A farmer has fields spread over a geographical
area of 25km and wants to be able to run the
robot on all his fields.
The farmer needs a minimum of two Base
Stations distributed over the area to cover all the
fields.
When moving from one field to another, the
farmer has to select the current field in the HMI
but also ensure that the robot is connected to
the correct Base Station, which is the Base
Station that was used to set up the specific
field.
If there is an overlap in covered area of the Base
Stations, the farmer must always select the
nearest Base Station before setting up the field.

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The robot does not know which Base
Station it is connected to; it only knows whether it
has an RTK signal or not.
This imposes significant risk, as the accuracy of
the robot is impaired if it is not connected to the
correct Base Station.
A farmer has two fields with a distance between
them of more than 25km.
The farmer needs two Base Stations, one
dedicated to each field.
When moving from one field to another, the
farmer has to select the current field in the HMI
but also ensure that the Robot is connected
to the correct Base Station, which is the Base
Station that was used to set up the specific
field.
The robot does not know which Base
Station it is connected to; it only knows whether it
has an RTK signal or not.
This imposes significant risk, as the accuracy of
the robot is impaired if it is not connected to the
correct Base Station.

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2 Safety Instructions
In this section, attention is directed towards safety aspects related to the physical installation of the GPS-
antenna and electrical connections.
The GPS-antenna must be installed with a clear sky view; thus, it is very likely that working at height
will be required for the installation. It is the owner’s responsibility that this work is performed in safe manner
without risk for oneself or others.
The power must be unplugged from the supply socket before commencing work inside the Base
Station cabinet. If disconnection is not possible or if troubleshooting is required on live systems, the national
regulations for working on or near live low voltage systems must be applied.
The Base Station is double insulated; thus, the cabinet is considered as a barrier. This barrier must be
inspected regularly to ensure that there are no damages or cracks. If the cabinet is damaged, the Base
Station must be unplugged and the damaged part replaced before operation is resumed.
The plug and power connection of the Base Station must be installed with sufficient protection to
prevent any risk to people and animals receiving electrical shock.
2.1 IT & Communications Safety
The robot is equipped with an internet gateway to support messaging to and from the operator, RTK
positioning signals, and online support functions.
All communications to and from the robot to a cloud based server is done through a TLS communication
protocol (AES256 bit) and therefore protected against man-in-the-middle attacks (hacking).
The operator panels require a user-defined password input to switch between operating modes, which gives
a low-level security against unwanted control of the robot on-site.
Never share your password and do not leave it physically at the robot.
In case any indications of misuse or hacking is observed please change your password and consult
your local FarmDroid Distributor immediately.
Data communication is required for the Robot to exchange information with the Base Station and
Server, thereby a prerequisite for operation. This data, required for operation, is owned by FarmDroid,
however data acquisition is limited to Robot and Base station specific data, i.e. the data acquisition is not
covering personal information governed by GPDR.

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3 Upon Reception
Upon reception, the owner must inspect all components for errors and transport damages. Therefore, the
Base Station cabinet, cable insolation etc. must all be inspected.
A complete Base Station kit contains:
•1 x FD Base Station V2.0
•1 x GPS-antenna
•1 x Antenna cable, 4m
•1 x Bracket for the GPS-antenna including bolts for mounting the antenna on the bracket.
Bolts and/or screws for fastening the antenna bracket on the chosen surface are not included. It is the
owner’s responsibility to purchase and apply the means for fastening fit for the purpose.

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4 Prior to Installation
4.1 Test of Internet Performance
To ensure that the communication strength between the robot and the RTK Base Station is sufficient, the
operator should perform initial tests of the internet connection. The tests must be performed both at the field
where the robot is expected to operate and at the desired Base Station location.
It is recommended to use a smart phone to perform the internet performance test and follow the procedure
below:
1. Download a “Speed test” app to a smart phone or use the following link: https://www.speedtest.net/
2. Test the internet connection and performance at the field where the robot is expected to operate and
at the desired Base Station location.
3. Evaluate the test result of download speed to determine whether the connection is acceptable or
additional testing is required:
a. If the initial test result is above 1 Mbps, the internet connection is perceived as acceptable.
b. If result is below 1 Mbps, additional tests are needed.
The illustration below shows how to perform the tests at the field:
Note: The Base Station can be connected to an Ethernet internet connection. For more information on
this topic please contact your local FarmDroid distributor.
If the Base Station is mounted indoor, the internet speed has to be tested indoor as well, as the GSM-
antenna is located inside the Base Station cabinet, unless an external antenna is mounted.
4.2 SIM-card from FarmDroid
The Base Station is delivered with a factory mounted Multi-SIM solution which will provide the best and
safest connection to the Base Station. Subscription to this service and the data usage is free-of-charge for
the first year. The service will continue if the customer purchases a FarmDroid Care Subscription. For more
information, please contact your distributor.
4.3 SIM-card from Third-party Provider
The customer can also decide to purchase a SIM-card from a third-party provider. When purchasing a SIM-
card, it is highly important to choose a provider with a stable and good coverage in all the areas where the
Base Station and Robot is going to operate.
To provide the best possible conditions, it is recommended to use a Multi-SIM solution. A Multi-SIM is a
single SIM-card that connects to various operators and thereby chooses the network with the best
connection in the specific area.

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In terms of data consumption, the Base Station will under normal operation of the robot upload
approximately 1.5kB/s. This amounts to an upload of approximately 5GB per month when the robot is
operating 24/7. Similarly, the robot uses the same amount of data monthly during operation.
Below is a summary of the expected data consumption related to normal operation and an example of
additional data consumption related to use of the remote HMI and camera.
Activity
Robot*
Base Station*
Normal Operation Download
~5GB per month*
~0.5GB per month*
Normal Operation Upload
~0.5GB per month*
~5GB per month*
Use of Remote HMI and Camera Upload
~10GB for 15.5 –22 Hours of use*
N/A
*FarmDroid cannot be held accountable for any additional or unexpected data use.
It is highly recommended to include some leeway in the data subscription until the owner has
established some experience with the actual data consumption. Furthermore, it is recommended to have an
alarm function included in the subscription in order to inform the owner prior to data being used up.

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5 Installation
The installation of the Base Station is a prerequisite for commissioning and operating the robot. The Base
Station constantly communicates with the robot, acting as a reference point and provides the robot with the
correct navigation signal. Therefore, the robot cannot navigate without connection to the Base Station.
Prior to the installation, it is highly important to identify a suitable location with a clear sky view.
Clear sky view is defined as an area where no obstacles are present in an angler above 30° from the
position of the antenna, as illustrated below.
To ensure a clear sky view, it is recommended to install the GPS-antenna at a high point, e.g. an end-face of
a building, a mast or the equivalent, where the antenna can be located above the ridge of the roof, trees,
silos or other obstacles.
It is very important that the location is selected carefully in terms of potential interference,
collisions, and surface characteristics. If the antenna is moved during the season, intentionally or
unintentionally, the robot’s reference point and run pattern is moved equally on the field.
The GPS-antenna bracket must be secured with sufficient means in order to prevent any movement caused
by high wind and adverse weather. This also sets requirements for the mounting surface to be firm and in
good condition.
After the installation of the bracket, it is recommended to mark the location clearly on the mounting surface
and take a few photographs. This is to improve the likelihood of correctly repositioning the GPS-antenna if it,
for any reason, has been moved.
To ensure precise navigation, the Base Station must be located with a radius of no more than 10km
from the field.
During the handling and installation, it is important not to bend the antenna cable unnecessarily as a sharp
kink can damage the cable.
The Base Station is supplied via the included 230 V power plug. The supply must be inserted in an
appropriate socket with sufficient protection in terms of securing the supply and sheltering from the weather.
It is recommended to install the Base Station indoors or, alternatively, in an area with a shelter for protection
against direct rain. The cabinet must be mounted so that connections and cable glands point downwards.

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5.1 Mounting the GPS-antenna Cable
The position for installation of the antenna cable is illustrated in the picture below. It is important to tighten
the connection firmly, to avoid poor connection and signal interference.
5.2 Mounting the External GSM-antenna (Optional)
In areas with poor GSM signal, it is possible to fit an external GSM-antenna. Under the Base Station, it is
indicated where to drill and mount the gland for cable access. This operation must be performed by the
distributor to maintain the warranty of the product.
Distributor’s note: Before drilling the gland hole, make sure that the power has been disconnected
and remove the cover of the cabinet in order to check for any loose items or wires that could be damaged.
Remove loose items, if any, and drill carefully in order to avoid any damages.
When the cable has been installed, it is important to ensure that the gland is tightened sufficiently in
order to prevent water ingress.
5.3 Connecting Power to the Base Station
1. Keep the area clear and stand at minimum 0.5m to the Base Station. If local legislation for work
on or near live low voltage equipment requires a greater safety distance, one must adhere to this.
Plug in the 230 V power supply and remain at the required safety distance.
2. Wait for 3 green LEDs to turn on the 4G module (UPLINK2, POWER and STATUS). Be patient, this
may take up to 45 minutes.
3. Remount and secure the cover by tightening the screws.
The Base Station is online when the 3 green LEDs have turned on. Now, contact your distributor in
order to register the position of the Base Station and establish the tunnel to the robot.

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5.4 Setup of Base Station GPS position
When the Base Station has been mounted and powered up, the station will have to be locked to a fixed GPS
coordinate.
This service is provided by the distributor, thus contact your distributor at this stage.
5.5 Replacement of the SIM card in the Base Station (if required)
It is not recommended to replace the factory mounted SIM-Card, unless it has been fully verified, that the
SIM-card cannot obtain sufficient connectivity in the area.
Prior to commencing the replacement, it is important to consult your distributor, as settings in the
modem must be changed.
If the SIM-Card provider is changed, the APN settings must be updated by connecting a laptop via a
LAN-cable. A guide for this can be found on the FarmDroid knowledge base, knowledge.farmdroid.io.
To replace the SIM-card, the cover of the Base Station has to be removed. Before doing this, make sure that
the power is not connected.
In order to install the SIM-card, follow the instructions below:
1. Arrange for Distributor to update the APN settings prior to commencing SIM-Card replacement.
2. Make sure the power plug has been disconnected.
3. Remove the cover of the Base Station.
4. Locate the 4G (Secomea) module. Remove the existing SIM-Card by pressing down gently with a
small screwdriver until you hear a small “click”. Now remove the screwdriver and the SIM-card will be
released.
5. Insert the replacement SIM-card in the slot as illustrated in the picture below, and press it gently
down with a screwdriver until you hear a small “click”.
6. Reconnect power according to chapter 5.4.

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The SIM-card is inserted into the slot as illustrated above. It is important to press the SIM-card fully into the
slot until a mechanical click is heard. After re-powering the Base Station it can take up to several hours for
the modem to reconnect to the server, after replacement of the SIM-Card. In this period the RTK-signal will
be unavailable.

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6 Service and Maintenance
The Base Station and GPS-antenna do not require any planned intrusive maintenance in their lifetime.
However, this is provided that regular visual inspections are performed to ensure that the equipment is not
exposed to unnecessary stress, weather or impacts.
The table below contains an overview of the regular visual inspections the user must perform.
Item
Activity
Frequency
Base Station
Visual inspection of the cabinet, glands, and cables to ensure that
there are no damages and that all assemblies are properly
tightened in order to avoid water ingress.
Every 2 months
GPS-antenna
Visual inspection of the GPS-antenna and bracket to ensure that
the fastening is tight and sufficient to prevent any unintentional
movement of the GPS-antenna location.
Every 2 months
and after severe
weather impacts
If any anomalies are observed these should be corrected immediately in order to avoid them developing into
failures.
7 Disposal
After end of use, the Base Station and GPS-antenna must be disposed of or recycled according to local
legislation and practices. It is the responsibility of the owner to ensure that items are not left in locations or in
conditions that can negatively impact the environment.
8 Troubleshooting
If the robot cannot connect to the Base Station or if there is no RTK signal, perform the following steps:
1. Place the Robot at a location where a clear sky view is guaranteed and restart the Robot by turning
the power off, wait 10 seconds and then repower the Robot. If this does not resolve the problem
within five minutes, continue to next step.
2. Confirm that the power supply is plugged in.
3. Check whether the power indicator on the underside of the Base Station is turned on. If this is off it
either indicates; no power supplied from the socket, or that the fuse inside the base station has
blown.
4. If the issue does not relate to point 1 to 3, restart the Base Station by disconnecting the power. After
10 Seconds, reconnect the power.
5. Wait 15 minutes. If there is still no connection to the Base Station or RTK signal, contact your
distributor or FarmDroid Care, to verify if the Base Station is online on the Server.
6. If the Base Station is not online on the server, the base station cabinet has to be opened for further
inspection. Remove the cover of the Base Station in order to read the indications on the 4G module.
Before removing the cover, ensure that the area is cleared. When removing the cover, walk
back to a safe distance of minimum 0.5m from the Base Station. If local legislation for work on or
near live low voltage equipment requires a greater safety distance, one must adhere to this.
Now, remove the SIM-card and clean it before inserting it again.
7. If the error is not cleared after an additional 15 minutes, contact your distributor.
The Base Station always needs to restart after removing and inserting the SIM-card. In order to do this,
disconnect the power supply, wait 10 seconds and reconnect it.
If in doubt or if you need support, contact your distributor.