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Real-time Ethernet communication between tractor and implement for automation of tractor implement applications
Project
Project code: 2815302507
Contract period: 01.12.2007
- 31.05.2010
Budget: 290,120 Euro
Purpose of research: Experimental development
The physical layer for tractor implement communication is based on the functionally outdated CAN-Bus. Existing limitations include low data rates, limited range of coverage and no real-time capability - issues that prevent an increasing level of automation. Thus Real-Time Ethernet (RTE) offers the opportunity for a major leap in agricultural automation. Within the project the applicability of RTE for off-road applications was analyzed, an Ethernet-based communication system was developed, and was finally tested through several demonstration setups. EtherCAT, an in industry popular RTE-protocol, was used. On a tractor-implement demonstrator a distributed control system could be realized. By that the advantages of Ethernet based communication including high bandwidth, fast transfer rates, huge data volumes, and diagnostic functionalities could be shown. Additionally it was demonstrated that CAN and ISOBUS messages can be transferred thought the EtherCAT network (tunnelung 'ISOBUS over EtherCAT') and by that compatibility with the available technology and existing standards can be achieved. The technical feasibility of this concept was verified with a tractor-implement demonstrator.
Section overview
Subjects
- Agricultural Engineering Plant Production
Framework programme
Funding programme
Excutive institution
John Deere Werke Mannheim Zweigniederlassung der Deere & Company
