AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY ELECTRONICS FOUNDATION

AEF: Powering
Agricultural Electronics
Agricultural Electronics
AEF: Powering

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Content
AEF – Agricultural Industry E­ lectronics Foundation

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AEF in short

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Objectives of the AEF

6First priority was ISOBUS

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AEF achievements to date

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AEF ISOBUS Functionalities

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AEF ISOBUS Certification and Label

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The AEF ISOBUS Database

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The AEF Project Teams

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AEF membership18

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AEF – Agricultural Industry E­ lectronics
Foundation
Seven international agricultural equipment manufacturers and two
associations established the Agricultural Electronics Foundation on the
28th of October 2008. The initiative is an independent, internationalorganization. It provides resources and know-how for the increased useof electronic and electrical systems in farming.
Initially, a succession of important tasks associated with ISO 11783 (ISOBUS) formed themain focus of their work. But now the agricultural industry no longer sees the potentialof AEF as limited only to ISOBUS. Their work is therefore being expanded to include otherimportant areas such as electric drives, camera systems, farm management information
systems, high speed ISOBUS and wireless in-field communication.
The AEF is an international platform that is open for all interested groups from the field ofelectrical and electronic systems. It is financed through the membership contribution of bothfounding members and service charges from general members. More than 190 companies,
associations and organizations are already members and actively collaborate within the AEF.
The AEF will provide the continuous encouragement and support necessary for introducing
guidelines to ISO (International Organization for Standardization) standards in agriculturalelectrical and electronic systems.

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The AEF Vision
We will be accepted worldwide as the most competent and most relevant organization within the field of agricultural electronics. Future research and development
activities, which require an open cooperation between involved parties in the
agricultural machinery industry will be within the scope of the AEF.

The AEF Mission
The development and support for the implementation of generally accepted
standards for electric and electronic interfaces as well as standards for dataexchange for the agricultural machinery industry. The AEF is providing aframework for the cooperation of all interested parties under the leadership ofthe core members whilst maintaining competition amongst all members. The
AEF supports standardization organizations such as the International Standards
Organization (ISO).

Chairman
Steering Committee
Project Manager

Intellectual Property Committee

PROJECT TEAMS

Conformance
Tests

Functional
SafetyWireless Infield
Communication

Service &Diagnostics

High Speed
ISOBUS

Engineering &Implementation

ISOBUS­Automation

Camera Systems

Communications & Marketing
FARMERS … MANUFACTURERS … PRESS … PLUGFESTS … SHOWSFarm­Management
Information
Systems

High Voltage

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AEF in short
Customers will benefit
The AEF should establish itself in its own right with mutually beneficial links between
various companies. The increased use of electronic and electrical systems is intended
to make work easier for our farming customers and provide them with economic
benefits. In addition, the AEF also develops and promotes synergistic connections
between companies. ISOBUS and other technologies are given the necessary impetusby the AEF.

ISOBUS as a brand
The AEF would like to establish ISOBUS as a brand and seal of quality. As a central
organization, it is ideally placed to be able to reinforce international acceptanceof ISOBUS certified products. The intention is for ISOBUS to become accepted as a
global communication standard.

End of confusion
The challenge for the AEF at first was the development of authoritative ISOBUS
certification procedures in order to establish compatibility. It is intended to put an
end to the confusion surrounding the question of the compatibility of tractors andattached machines. We will achieve compatibility much sooner if all agricultural
technology companies are pulling together. This also applies for new tasks the AEF
has accepted.

United approach
The provision of fast and reliable service through cross-manufacturer standards isa significant customer benefit. Eleven internationally manned project teams andnumerous subgroups are working on solutions that will help our customers. Together
we are more effective than “every man for himself”.

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Objectives of the AEF• Establishment and continuation of the international development and expansion ofelectronic and electrical technology as well as implementation of electronic standards• To coordinate international cooperation in ag electronics technology• To build synergistic partnerships between ag equipment manufacturers for the benefitof equipment users• To coordinate technical improvements (ISOBUS) including management and­enhancement of certification tests• To organize certification support, training, workshops, marketing activities and­consulting relating to any ag electronics international standards.

Important to know
It is important to know that AEF is not the same as ISO. AEF does not create theinternational standards. This task remains the domain of the ISO with its
affiliated working groups. The AEF replaces the European Implementation
Group ISOBUS (IGI) and the North American ISOBUS Implementation Task Force(NAIITF). The AEF is not limited to only ISOBUS. It supports every international
agricultural electrical and electronic system standard which has been acceptedby the ISO. In addition to the agricultural industry itself, the founding members
are the two associations AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers) in the
USA and VDMA (German Engineering Federation) in Germany.
The organization is based in Frankfurt / Main, Germany.

7First priority was ISOBUS
There are a variety of important subjects relating to ISOBUS that provided the initial focus for AEF’s activities. These activities are aimed atproviding the resources necessary for addressing important electronics
technical subjects on behalf of ag equipment manufacturers and farmers.

AEF’s activities
Increasing
Increased international acceptance and awareness of ISOBUS technology.
Enhancing
Enhanced customer benefits from using the ISOBUS technology.
Improving
Improved compatibility of ISOBUS products with plug and play capability worldwide.
Collecting
Collecting all the information available about ISOBUS products, including theirfunctions , implementation and compatibility, for the service, marketing and sales
divisions of manufacturers and suppliers.
Promoting
Promoting the international acceptance of ISOBUS certified products while creating a quality brand and trademark for ISOBUS.
The AEF developed mandatory certification procedures that are continuously
advanced. In addition a new label and logo combination has been
designed to ­ensure – in combination with
the AEF ISOBUS Database – absolute
clarity r­ egarding compatibility between
tractors and implements.

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AEF achievements to date
 About 190 member companies worldwide.
 Working hierarchic structure.
 Hundreds of engineers & marketing experts work together in 11 Project Teams todevelop guidelines and implement the standard(s).

 Important “Products” today:
1. Component certification with AEF Conformance Test covering all major
		 AEF Functionalities.
2. Five AEF ISOBUS Test Laboratories in Europe an the USA
3. AEF ISOBUS Database.
4. Organization and hosting of Plugfests with growing number of participants.
5. AEF publishes guidelines for its members to use; e. g. Implementation Guidelines		 or Functional Safety Guidelines.
6. Furthermore also non-ISOBUS tasks have recently been delegated to the organization:
		• High Voltage on-board networks		• Camera Systems
		• Farm Management Information Systems (FMIS)		• Wireless in-field Communication

 And – no matter whether ISOBUS related or not – there will be a number of new tasks
coming up in the future.

Institut für
Landmaschinentechnik
und Regenerative Energien

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AEF ISOBUS Functionalities
Ag equipment manufacturers around the world have agreed on ISOBUS as
the universal protocol for electronic communication between implements,
tractors and computers.
The primary goal of ISOBUS data technology is to standardize the communication whichtakes place between tractors and implements while ensuring full compatibility of datatransfer between the mobile systems and the office software used on the farm. The basis
is the international ISO 11783 standard – “Tractors and machinery for agriculture andforestry - Serial control and communications data network”.
This development was triggered by the fact that farmers often use tractors from one brandwith implements from another supplier. As long as they are all using different electronicsystems, each tractor and each implement combination requires an individual terminal.
A modern ISOBUS system consists of various components, including the tractor, terminal
and implement. For system compatibility it is essential what the Universal Terminal andthe implement are capable of performing – both separately and together. For increasedtransparency towards the user the AEF has defined AEF ISOBUS Functionalities that are
now also the basis for the certification of ISOBUS products. An ISOBUS functionality canbe described as an independent ISOBUS product and the concept is extendable for later
additions of functionalities.

TECU AUX-N

TIM

Under
development

Implement
ECU1

Under
development

Under
development

UT
T-ECU

Joystick10

AEF ISOBUS Certification and LabelAEF Conformance Test
Along with the further development of the ISO 11783 standard and the AEF guidelines
new functionalities i.e. Auxilaries (AUX) and Section Control (TC-SC) were defined inaddition to the well known Universal Terminal (UT). Therefore the AEF has developed
a new conformance test, which can check these new functionalities. They are also thebasis for the certification of ISOBUS products. An ISOBUS functionality can be described
as an independent ISOBUS product and the concept is extendable for later additions offunctionalities.

Independent certification
The certification is executed by independent test laboratories selected by the AEF.
­Further labs will be appointed. For testing they are using the AEF ISOBUS Conformance
Test. If the test is positive, the results will be available in the database for registered­users as from a manufacturer-scheduled date. Besides the fact that a product complies
with the standard ISO 11783 the user can now also see which functionalities it supports.

Five AEF ISOBUS Test Laboratories

ISOBUS Test Center, Germany

DLG Test Center Technology and Farm Inputs, Germany

Contact: Torsten Schenzel (torsten.schenzel@isobus-test.com)

Contact: Andreas Horn (a.horn@dlg.org)

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Reggio Emilia Innovazione (REI), Italy
Contact: Simone Zamboni (zamboni@reinnova.it)
Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory (NTTL), USA
Contact: Doug Triplett (dtriplett2@unl.edu)

KEREVAL, France

For more information about the certification process

Contact: Yannick Guyomarch (ygh@kereval.com)

contact the test lab appropriate for you.

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The AEF ISOBUS Certified Label
The AEF certified label states that the respective ISOBUS components are in ­compliancewith the ISO standard 11783 and moreover, with the additional AEF guidelines. The
product has successfully passed the newly developed AEF certification process.
Six abbreviations within small squares symbolize functionalities, three squares containing three dots indicate that the system is open and extendable. Detailed information
about the certified product is stored in the AEF database www.aef-isobus-database.org.
Besides the fact that the product conforms to the ISO 11783 standard, the user also
knows which functionalities it supports by looking it up in the Database.

TM

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The AEF ISOBUS Database
Who is responsible when something is incompatible – the tractor­manufacturer or the device manufacturer? How can I find an implement
AEF ISOBUS
Datenbank
AEF fully
ISOBUS
Databasefor myDie
ISOBUSt­ ractor
which |isThealso
ISOBUS-compatible,
and with
which I can benefit from significant advantages? Is the implement thatfür Hersteller
the new ISOBUSDATABASE
for manufacturers I already own ISOBUS-­certified and compatible withtractor that I want to buy? And if so, which functionalities can I use withboth of them?
für HändlerDATABASE
for dealers

CERTIFIEDCHECK TOOL

für Landwirte
for farmers

für Hersteller
for manufacturers

für Händler
for dealersfür Landwirte
for farmers

für Hersteller
for manufacturers

für Händler
for dealersfür Landwirte
for farmers










DATABASE… for farmers and contractors
The AEF database at www.aef-isobus-database.org answers these and many otherquestions. This database contains all relevant information about all machines anddevices, which have been ISOBUS-certified so far. With just a few mouse clicks the
ISOBUS Datenbank | The AEF ISOBUS Databaseuser Die
can AEF
configurehis tractor/implement combination and immediately see whether
the selected combination is compatible, and with which common functionalities it
is equipped. The user can even compare alternatives. If a device
cannot be found in
DATABASE
the database, it is not certified.



CERTIFIEDCHECK TOOLDATABASE… for agricultural machinery dealers
For the dealer, the database makes advising customers easier on the one hand,other, it speeds up troubleshooting
DATABASE
and on thethrough customer service. This can
Die
AEF
ISOBUS
Datenbankappreciably shorten downtimes. | The AEF ISOBUS Database

DATABASE

CERTIFIEDISOBUSKNOWLEDGE... for agricultural technology manufacturers
Lastly, the industry (OEMs) collects any reports about problem cases and these
remain available in the database as ISOBUS “Knowledge”.DATABASE
These can also be usedby the customer service team in the dealership to diagnose and find solutions
to problems on-site more quickly. The database is continually and automaticallymaintained.
the conformity of machines and imple This is because determining
DATABASE
ments with the ISOBUS standard, and the related certification, is also carried out
via the database by independent, regional ISOBUS Test Laboratories. In addition,a Conformance Test Tool (CT) that is available from the database ­facilitates andaccelerates product development within AEF member companies.


CHECK TOOL






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Conditions of use
Checking compatibility is free of charge for the agricultural public. To upload officiallycertified products in the database, the manufacturer must purchase a license from AEF.
A license must also be purchased in order to use the Conformance Test Tool.
Ultimately the AEF-ISOBUS-Database supports the complete agricultural public ­(users, dealers and manufacturers) in using the new, worldwide ISOBUS standard.
www.aef-isobus-database.org

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Heavy-Duty Camera Solutions

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The AEF Project Teams
AEF has identified eleven projects that are important to address ­­quickly.
For each project a team of international experts, from the member
companies, is hard at work to find solutions useful for both the industry
members and their customers.

Project Team 1:
Conformance testing
The primary objective is to provide
a state-of-the-art testing andcertification process which ensuresthat the ISOBUS components are
fully compatible. The formal certification process is designed forexecution by independent testing
institutes. The tools and protocols
for these trials are also available
to the agricultural industry as a whole in order tosupport the development of ISOBUS compliant components across the board.

Project Team 2: Functional safety of electronic controls
The mission of this project team is to draw up design and application guidelines for all
manufacturers of agricultural equipment when safety related applications using the­I­SOBUS according to ISO 11783 are to be implemented. In this case all legal directives
and standards such as ISO/DIS 25119, ISO 15077 have to be taken into consideration.

Project Team 3: Engineering and implementation
The task here is to coordinate the market introduction of new ISOBUS features across the
ag industry while continuing to monitor the ISOBUS engineering and implementation
processes.

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Project Team 4:
Service and diagnostics
The main objective is to service combined­ISOBUS systems from different OEMs.
(The same high quality standards must
be met between brands as for individual
manufacturers). The result should become
tangible with quick and efficient troubleshooting in order to achieve complete
customer satisfaction. In addition the issueof technical documentation, exchange of
information, FAQs and training are to be
tackled here.

Project Team 5: ISOBUS automation
The market expects automation solutions for ISOBUS systems including Task
Controller (TC), Sequence Control (SC) andTractor Implement Management (TIM).
ISOBUS Automation like TIM brings a newlevel of system complexity with responsibilities and liability aspects shared­between the manufacturers involved in theautomated systems in the field. The AEF
PT 2 Functional Safety identified ­several
areas of liability risks for companies providing such multi-brand automation ­systems. This
shared liability drives the need for a means to ensure that systems not following the AEF
guidelines will be detected and addressed.

Project Team 6: Communication and marketing
The communications and marketing project group is responsible for aligning the AEF communication to the public across all member companies. It assumes marketing responsibility
for ISOBUS technology towards AEF members and the ag equipment industry in general aswell as throughout the farming community. The group also collects information about therequirements of the market. Therefore status and results of the ongoing AEF work are published. The focus is placed on promoting ISOBUS in the market and establishing the new
ISOBUS certified logo as the unique brand. To achieve their aims, the group coordinatesvarious activities such as participation in industry conferences, shows and exhibitions alongwith design and public relations programs.

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Project Team 7: High-voltage on-board networks
Electric drives are becoming increasingly important in agricultural technology. The
objective of this project team is to develop a proposal for a standard tractor interface
that supplies power to attached machines and external components. The idea behind thisis that the electric motors on all standard attached machines should be compatible withevery model of tractor, and the only limitation should be the output data of the tractor
engine. Locally controlled electric motors can overcome the restrictions of mechanical andhydraulic solutions and meet the requirements of a new generation of attached machines,
and should also provide considerable benefits at the same time.
Five subgroups are already working on special areas in this direction: Interface connection(physical interface), requirements for attached machines, safety and risk analysis, specification of the interface with regard to the requirements for communication and performance,
and for approaches to solving cooling system problems.

Project Team 8: Camera systems
The camera systems project group will proceed in two phases: In the first phase a solution
has been found for harmonizing the connectivity between cameras mounted on an implement and terminals mounted on the towing tractor. The solution focuses on today’s needs
utilizing camera systems with analogue image transmission. In the second phase the teamwill address future needs which are anticipated to include complex camera applications
requiring digital image transmission.

Camera Connector Interface

Camera Connector Interface

Project Team 9: Farm Management Information Systems(FMIS)The AEF project group “FMIS” is the ninth ISOBUS project team of the AEF. As partof c­ onsistent further development of the AEF ISOBUS strategy, it will develop common s­ olutions for connecting mobile vehicles and attached machines to central farm­computers and similar systems. The main areas of work for this team are the harmonization and expansion of existing standards for interfaces for data transfer, and thedevelopment of implementation recommendations (AEF guidelines) for manufacturers ofmachine electronics and management software.

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The process of establishing a uniform and clearly structured certification of ISOBUS functions on mobile machines is already underway and should, in future, also be extended
to include the interfaces for information and management systems. European as well asNorth and South American software and electronics companies are invited to participate
in the work.

hange

Machine in action

Farm­Management
SoftwareData exc

USB
Bluetooth
WLAN
Mobile Communications

Data exc

hange

Data exchange

Today
Tomorrow

Farm ­
Management
Services(Cloud)Project Team 10: 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, suchas the expansion of diagnostics, the support of electric drives, M2M communications, andconnection of real-time video systems.

Project Team 11: Wireless Infield Communication
The new Wireless Infield Communication project team will focus on selecting suitable radio
standards (such as WLAN) for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications. The new teamwill 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, andfill level. Also the machine-to FMIS-communication is covered by this project group.

sontheim

Industrie Elektronik GmbH

Suomen maatalousautomaatio ry

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AEF membership
For manufacturers of electronic products for agricultural use the Agricultural Industry Electronics Foundation (AEF) is the “Club” to join. To
date about 190 companies worldwide benefit from the advantages theorganization offers. For a moderate Service Fee you will get access tothe expertise acquired within the foundation. Membership in the AEF
helps you to make your products fit for the future. But you are obliged
to participate actively and you can then take advantage of a number ofbenefits.

Become an AEF member
Every year tens of thousands of new tractors are being purchased with standardized ISOBUS
terminals. A main factor behind these purchases is the customer’s expectation that more
and more implements can be controlled by these modern tractors. They are – as always –looking for ease of handling, reduced costs and long-term viability.
You will find all necessary information regarding membership and its cost as well as for feesfor Database and Conformance Test at the AEF website www.aef-online.org/membership.
As an applicant for AEF membership please download and fill in the application form at
aef-online.org/membership and send it to to the AEF Office office@aef-online.org. You willthen receive a database account and can handle licenses there.
For uploading your products to the AEF ISOBUS Database and for application of the
AEF ISOBUS Conformance Test Tool Licenses are mandatory.
To match the growing organization the AEF has developed a billing system to automaticallyhandle invoicing of fees and service charges as well as activating accounts and ­licenses.
Since September 2015 purchasing licenses and further expansion or cancelations ofsubscriptions can only be executed via login in the AEF Database (aef-isobus-database.org)
under your company’s access information.

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Advantages and benefits
Participate actively in the AEF Project Teams
As a member you are actively involved in the project teams and influence their results.
ISOBUS knowledge and AEF Guidelines
Being a member helps your company with it’s product development by giving youaccess to the latest ISOBUS knowledge.
Use the AEF Diagnostic Tool for free
Equip your and your dealer’s service team with the AEF ISOBUS Check Tool in orderto speed up troubleshooting of an ISOBUS combination cross manufacturer, even in
the field.
Get a 20 % discount ...
... on licences for database and conformance test. As an AEF member you will
benefit from a considerable discount on licenses. This by far exceeds the service fee
a General Member has to pay.
AEF Testing environment
AEF Membership helps you to make your systems ISOBUS compatible with productsof other manufacturers through semiannual Plugfests. These help to speed up the
ISOBUS product development within your company.
Take influence on the ISOBUS standard
You’re part of a round table of the industry to share and agree upon AEF Guidelines
complementing the ISOBUS standard.
Interim conformance tests
Use the AEF Conformance Test Tool within your company in order to accelerate development of your products towards ISOBUS compatibility and AEF ISOBUS Certification.
Compatibility at all levels
Ensure compatibility of your products at all levels of development.
Visibility in the AEF ISOBUS DatabaseYour certified ISOBUS products can be seen in the AEF ISOBUS Database allowing not
only the dealers but also the public to search for compatible ISOBUS combinations.
AEF ISOBUS Certification
Get your products certified by one of the AEF ISOBUS Test Laboratories.
AEF support
AEF supports the marketing of your ISOBUS products and promotes both­development and market penetration.

Contact for Europe
Dr. Phillip Fuchsenberger, AEF Treasurer / Finance
VDMA (German Engineering Federation)
Lyoner Strasse 18
PO Box 71 08 64
60582 Frankfurt / Main
GermanyTEL+49.(0)69.6603 0
FAX+49.(0)69.6603 1511
E-MAIL europe@aef-online.org
WEB
www.aef-online.org

Contact for North and South America
Mark A. Benishek, AEF Secretary / Administration
AEM (Association of Equipment Manufacturers)
6737 W. Washington Street,
Suite 2400
Milwaukee
WI 53214-5647

TEL+1.414.298.4118
FAX+1.414.272.1170
E-MAIL america@aef-online.org
WEB
www.aef-online.org

180-4-EN 10/2015