Precision Farming Challenges in the 21st Century

I SO wish it were that easy !The challenge of ISOBUS Implementation

Peter NelsonEngineering Director

RDS Technology Ltd.

What is ISOBUS?

• ISOBUS is a standard communications protocol conceived specifically for linking agricultural tractors, implements & software

• ISO – International Standards Organisation

• BUS – A CAN based communications network

ISOBUS History

• Europe

– LAV Munich

– LBS > LBS2 1989 – 1998

• North America

– SAE J1939 Truck & Bus standard

• ISOBUS 1999 -> ??

– based on LBS + SAE J1939

Management of ISOBUS

• Industry Groups

– DLG / VDMA in Europe

– NAIITF in USA

– Combined as AEF in 2008

• ISO

– Set the standards– ( ISOBUS Standard under secretariat of VDMA )

ISO 11783

ISO 11783 consists of the following parts, under the general title Tractors and machinery for agriculture and forestry — Serial control and communications data network:⎯ Part 1: General standard for mobile data communication⎯ Part 2: Physical layer⎯ Part 3: Data link layer⎯ Part 4: Network layer⎯ Part 5: Network management⎯ Part 6: Virtual terminal⎯ Part 7: Implement messages application layer⎯ Part 8: Power train messages⎯ Part 9: Tractor ECU⎯ Part 10: Task controller and management information system data interchange⎯ Part 11: Mobile data element dictionary⎯ Part 12: Diagnostics⎯ Part 13: File Server⎯ Part 14: Sequence Control

ISOBUS Aims

• Reduce Cab Clutter & Simplify Wiring

ISOBUS Aims

• Standardised Data Formats - ISOXML

ISOBUS Aims

• Standardised Data Formats - ISOXML

ISOBUS Aims

• Share common inputs

– Forward Speed

– PTO Speed

– Hitch Position

– GPS / Guidance / Section Control

– Work Status

ISOBUS Aims

• Integrate tractor, implement, farm management

– Headland sequence control

• PTO Speed

• Forward Speed

• Hydraulic Control

– Precision Farming

• Variable Rate plans and records

ISOBUS Aims

• Enable modular integration• Ex: A sprayer control system comprises:-

• Spray rate regulation

• Boom height / levelling

• Steering axle / drawbar

• Section Control

• Crop canopy scanner

– Could each be from a different supplier but integrated into a single ‘system’

ISOBUS Overview

Tractor ECU

DGPS(NMEA 2000 )

FMICSoftware

Virtual Terminal

Implement ECU

Implement ECU

Task Controller

ISOBUS Connector

Aux. Control

File Server

ISOBUS Overview

Virtual Terminal

Task Controller

File Server

ISO 11783

• Virtual Terminal ( Universal Terminal )

– “Conference convener” defines

• Display size, resolution & colour

• User interface – no. of keys and navigation

• Language

• Units

• Management of participants

• VT Types 1,2 3 and 4

– Type 4 required for Aux. controls & mapping

ISO 11783

ISO 11783

• Task Controller

– “ Gofer” or messenger

• Passes data as ISOXML files between

– FMIS & VT

– VT & Implement

• Sends a plan of resources to be used

• Collects record of resources used

• May define implement dimensions

ISO 11783

• File Server

– A means of exchanging proprietary ( non-ISOBUS ) files between elements on the bus.

– Ex. Fertiliser data from a web site to the spreader control system.

ISOBUS Overview

Tractor ECU

ISO 11783

• Tractor ECU

– Basic TECU provides speed, PTO speed. Includes basic ISOBUS cable harness and connectors.

– Advanced TECU is bi directional and allows control of tractor speed etc.

ISO 11783

• Implement ECU

– Application specific control unit. Contains all software to control the machine and the ISOBUS Object Pool(s) to link to the UT.

• ‘Bridge Link’

– converts stand alone CAN based system to ISOBUS.

ISO 11783

• Auxillary Control Unit

– Joystick

– Switch Box

• ISOBUS Shortcut Button

ISO 11783

• Live standard

• Still evolving to encompass new technologies

• At 2013 Plugfest there were 22 VTs and ~35 Implement ECUs on test

• 2013 Plugfest was the first to include the Task Controller tests

• Only 1 VT included a File Server

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Perception

• Media appeal

– “Plug and Play”

– A solution to PF compatibility issues ??

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Perception

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Demand

• Major manufacturers

– ISOBUS VT equipped tractors

– Customer then expects ISOBUS implements

• Perceived cost savings

• So – our oem customers demand that we supply ISOBUS systems ( as well as conventional stand alone systems )

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Reality

• ISOBUS has reached a maturity and adoption level where it is now expected and demanded on new machinery.

• So – what’s the problem?

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Costs of Development

• Getting Started

– Buy ISO Standards £1300

– Join AEF €2000pa

– Buy VT €3000

– Object Pool Edit s/w €3000

– DLG Test s/w €1500

– Vector CANoe ISOBUS £15000

– Training ??

ISOBUS ChallengesThe Costs of Development

• Development Costs

– Stand alone development

– ISOBUS development

– Testing (DLG) €2000/day

– Conformance testing €6000/test

– Maintainence to evolving standard

ISOBUS ChallengesDevelopment Tools

Object Pool Editing software

ISOBUS ChallengesDevelopment Tools

ISOBUS Diagnostics / Test Tool DLG P-Convert

ISOBUS ChallengesDevelopment Tools

ISOBUS Diagnostics / Test Tool Vector CANoe

ISOBUS ChallengesPractical Constraints

• Ergonomics

– Multiple screens

• Operator Manuals

– Touch screen / scroll wheel

– Soft Keys

• Support– Support staff require knowledge of multiple VTs / TC etc.

– Who gets the phone call ?

ISOBUS ChallengesCertification

ISOBUS ChallengesInnovation

• Main differentiation between brands is the electronics

• ISOBUS imposes collaboration between competitors

• New technologies must be embraced by the standard

• ISOBUS data is not secure

ISOBUS ChallengesFuture-proofing

• Video input – not possible over CAN

• Bus Loading / speed

• Tablets /pads / Apps

• Wireless communications

• ISOBUS 2 ???

ISOBUS ChallengesConclusions

• ISOBUS is now and established, integral part of agricultural machinery

• ISOBUS will continue to evolve

• It is not compulsory

• It is not always appropriate

• There will still be ongoing compatibility issues.

ISOBUS Challenges

Thank You