Precision Farming Challenges in the 21 st Century I SO wish it were that easy ! The challenge of ISOBUS Implementation Peter Nelson Engineering Director RDS Technology Ltd.
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