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What is ISO?

SR Technical Support Specialist GCC
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ISO 11783 AND ISOBUS

  • ISO 11783 is a standard that allows equipment from different manufacturers to universally interact
  • “ISO 11783” is the name of the document that defines the standards for the system
    • “ISOBUS” is the term for a system that follows the standard
  • “The primary goal of ISOBUS data technology is to standardize the communication which takes place between tractors and implements while ensuring full compatibility of data transfer between the mobile systems and the office software used on the farm.

ISOBUS COMPONENTS

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COMPONENT

FUNCTION

Implement ECU

Controls implement functions

Implement Bus (ISO CAN Bus)

Carries messages between ISOBUS components

IBBC

Provides a connection between implement and vehicle

Cab ISO & display harness

Extends the Implement Bus into the cab

Universal Terminal

Provides a user interface for the implement

TECU (Tractor Electronic Control Unit)

Passes information between the ISO CAN Bus and the Vehicle CAN Bus

Vehicle CAN Bus

Carries messages between vehicle controllers

Auxiliary Controller

Provides programmable alternative user interface for selected implement control functions

Task Controller

Provides precision farming functionality for the ISOBUS implement

GPS Receiver

Provides position information to the vehicle and/or implement

FMIS (Farm Management Information Software)

Data import/export/creation/management

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WHO IS THE AEF?

  • The AEF (Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation) is a global organization which provides common interpretations of the ISO 11783 standard, so you really can have plug and play capabilities between implements and tractors from different manufacturers.
  • But isn’t the ISO 11783 standard enough? A standard, is a standard, is a standard, right?
  • NO. There are multiple levels of ISO compliance (based on different revisions of the standard), and multiple ways to interpret the standard.
  • For that reason the AEF was formed.
  • The AEF also makes recommendations to the ISO committee regarding the ISO 11783 standard and what can be improved.
  • Example (hypothetical):
    • The ISO 11783 official standard says:The ISOBUS implement harness shall provide for the following signals:
      • 12vDC switched
      • 12vDC unswitched
      • CAN HI
      • CAN LO
      • Video
      • RS232 Tx
      • RS232 Rx
    • The AEF says: let’s figure out a common implementation…
      • 12vDC switched shall be on Pin1
      • 12vDC unswitched shall be on Pin 2
      • CAN HI shall be on Pin 5
      • CAN LO shall be on Pin 7
      • Etc
  • It is possible to be “ISOBUS-compliant” without complying with the AEF implementation guidelines?
    • This can result in two “ISOBUS-compliant” components NOT working together
    • i.e. if one meets the AEF guidelines and the other does not
    • This often leads to finger-pointing
    • Another reason to test the system early
      • NOT on the day before you want to head to the field

ISOBUS SUMMARY

  • ISOBUS is an attempt to standardize communication
  • The Universal Terminal and Task Controller functionalities are completely independent of each other
    • The ISOBUS UT is just a display window into the implement “the implement is in charge”
    • The ISOBUS TC is what controls data management, auto section control, variable rate drives
  • If the implement is ISO compatible, it “Should” work with the MAX
    • Highly recommended to test compatibility with the implement before going to the field to ensure compatibility

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