Integration of auxiliary sensor data to ISOBUS for agricultural machinery data collection

While standalone CAN data loggers offer a simplified, plug-and-play solution for agricultural machinery performance data collection, information that can be obtained from these devices are limited to data contained within interpretable messages broadcast over the machinery CAN bus. For machinery performance parameters that cannot be interpreted from CAN data, alternative methods are needed to record these variables. This application note discusses the development of a customized solution, named the Sensor CAN Gateway (or SCANGate), that integrates various components, including an Electronic Controller Unit (ECU), to allow auxiliary sensor data to be recorded by a CAN data logger through message transmission over a tractor's ISOBUS. Testing with a modern tractor validated that the impact on bus load from added messages transmitted by the SCANGate could be determined based on the number of additional messages added per time interval. With knowledge of existing bus load requirements for an implement connected to a tractor's ISOBUS, it can be determined whether the SCANGate can further enhance a standalone CAN data logger for a given application.