Source: Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers

Ag electronics experts will join forces to help manufacturers satisfy customer needs in two new areas of concern: wireless in-field communications and the growing demand for communications bandwidth. 

The Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) recently announced it has set up two new project teams that will target these challenges. 

To date, 14 companies are involved in the new teams. 

Wireless In-field Communication 

The new Wireless In-field Communication project team will focus on selecting suitable radio standards (such as WLAN) for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. The new team will also examine communications encryption and functional reliability. 

M2M communications allow machines to communicate directly while working together. A secure and standardized in-field radio communication system is required so that machines can control each other or simply exchange status information such as position, speed, and fill level. 

High-Speed ISOBUS 

To meet the growing demand for data communication on ag equipment, a new High-Speed ISOBUS project team will explore concepts for increasing bandwidth on the bus. 

The team’s work will also pave the way for integration of new features and functions, such as the expansion of diagnostics, the support of electric drives, M2M communications, and connection of real-time video systems. 

Finding Common Solutions 

AEF members work together to consolidate different approaches into one common solution. More than 170 companies worldwide belong to AEF. 

AEM provides the staff secretary for AEF. 

For more information on AEF, contact AEM Technical Director Mark Benishek (mbenishek@aem.org, tel: 414-298-4118).