Agritechnica 2023: Electronics and connectivity solutions for tomorrow's agriculture

"Green Productivity - inspiration and solutions" is the guiding theme of Agritechnica 2023, which will take place from November 12 to 18 in Hanover. The world's largest trade fair for agricultural technology will be highlighting ao solutions for how electrification and digitalization can help the industry address current challenges. And these are manifold: increasing efficiency, protecting the environment and conserving resources. Networks, sensors and connectors play a key role here.

The way farming is done is evolving faster than ever before, from surveillance drones evaluating fields to sensors monitoring soil conditions to automated farm vehicles harvesting crops.

One example of how farmers are using technology to create farms of the future is with survey drones equipped with a multispectral imaging system that allows them to capture video in both the near-infrared and visible spectrum. In this case, the drone provides a bird's-eye view to identify issues such as irrigation problems, soil changes and even insect and fungal infestations that are difficult to see from the ground.

Even though it may still be an unfamiliar picture today - due to the many advantages, farmers will increasingly rely on tools such as GPS-supported cab units, drones and field sensors in the future.

But to achieve this change, most electrical and electronic equipment will need to be adapted. And one component that tends to be overlooked is the simple connector. It is responsible for providing power, connecting cameras to screens in the tractor cab, or transmitting control signals to harvesting equipment.

Although connectors for agricultural equipment are already usually specially designed, the demands placed on them are much higher again for electronic equipment in the field.

Stainless steel connectors, for example, are excellent for harsh environments, but the heavy weight is not ideal for drone applications. Aluminum connectors with electroless nickel plating, for example, are better suited here, combining low weight with long life.

And for efficient transmission of data to the network, such as real-time data from field sensors, the use of high-performance fiber optic cables can be useful. Again, however, the connectors must be specifically designed for outdoor applications.

Farmers or equipment suppliers will need to select the right connectors for their applications as they transition to smart farming, from lighting and power systems to steering and motion, monitoring and control, data signals and interfaces to the engine and cab.

These connectors will essentially be versions of the M12 circular connectors. M12 connectors are preferred because of their robust design and their bayonet, push-fit and quick-release construction. These make them easier to pull off with gloves and in cold weather. When plugging in equipment, operators can save time by using a quick push-pull design instead of unthreading a connector.

These push-pull connectors have become increasingly popular in industry over the past decade because of their ease of use, and they could become standard in many agricultural applications as well.

The Isobus platform also has a good chance of establishing itself as the basis in agricultural technology in the connectivity sector. Isobus is a standardized interface between agricultural machines. Comparable to the USB interface between a notebook and external devices, Isobus creates a data link between tractor, implements and the PC. The compatibility of Isobus is cross-manufacturer, so that different implements from different manufacturers can be operated via the same terminal on the tractor and tractor unit.

Thus, 安费诺 's Isobus cable connectors are ideally suited for connecting tractor and implement in accordance with ISO 11783-2. They are available as free-assembly connectors for sheathed cables and corrugated tube connections, as well as overmolded cable assemblies. Amphenol will showcase a wide range of solutions for agricultural technology, including the A-Series, at booth F36 in Hall 17. The waterproof and rugged plastic and metal connectors include a broad portfolio of robust rectangular and circular connectors. Designed as a cost-effective yet high-performance solution for use in harsh environments, the waterproof connectors can be found in all application areas from agricultural machinery, construction equipment, marine, automotive, military and alternative energy.

With one contact per connector to high pin count versions for the smallest signals or up to 100A per contact, the A-Series offers a solution for almost any application. Click here for more information.

For many applications operating in agricultural conditions, it is difficult to find accurate and reliable measurement systems. The new R-Series V RM5 from Temposonics , an Amphenol subsidiary, is designed to meet just such requirements with its extremely robust sensor housing.

The focus of the most powerful sensor generation is Industry 4.0 functions such as machine monitoring, predictive maintenance and process optimization. The new sensor variant is the R-Series V as a rod version in a high-quality stainless steel housing that protects the sensor and the precise non-contact technology from liquids, corrosion and the aggressive environments. From applications in rain to fog and dust, this sensor meets the most demanding requirements and provides accurate feedback in the most challenging situations.

The rugged Temposonics RM5 sensor with protective housing provides long-term position measurement in the harshest environments. Hermetically sealed with an all stainless steel 1.4404 (AISI 316L) housing, it meets IP68 and IP69 conditions and its rugged design prevents downtime, saving users time and money. The high-quality displacement transducer is initially available with analog and SSI outputs. Additional outputs will be available soon.

With the optional TempoLink and TempoGate sensor wizards, R-Series V position sensors provide detailed information about application status, such as sensor status, electronics temperature, total hours of operation, magnet distance traveled, and more.

More info on Temposonics R-Series V RM5 here.

Sensors and sensor systems for Mobile Outdoor Automation are also the focus of SICK Sensor Intelligence 's presence at Agritechnica in Hall 15 - G33. After all, sensors are the backbone of smart and precision farming. They check plant populations for deficiency symptoms and diseases, distinguish weeds from crops, calculate the site-specific expenditure for fertilizers and pesticides, analyze soil conditions, control the irrigation of fields, and perform many other tasks. Special algorithms make the measured values recorded by sensors usable by linking them to decisions on crop management.

For example, Sick is showing the MultiScan165, the new long-range version of the sensor family for 3D environment perception. The robust, outdoor-suitable sensor with IP69K protection offers a range of up to 60 meters as well as reliable object detection even in the most difficult visibility conditions such as rain or fog - and thus maximum availability in outdoor operation. The MultiScan165 is used in collision avoidance, automation and hybrid systems for mobile agricultural machinery.

For 2D detection and localization of objects in agricultural environments, SICK has developed the 2D LiDAR sensors of the picoScan100 product family, which defines a new market standard for sensors of this type in terms of range, resolution, scan frequency, and measurement data quality. The first device in the series - the picoScan150 - impresses not only with its high precision and dynamics, but also with its high robustness against ambient light and direct sunlight. In addition, the intelligent signal evaluation ensures high availability in outdoor use, for example in rain, snow or dust. The new picoScan150 with 276° optics - for gapless 360° measurement fields when two devices are mounted diagonally - is available in three performance levels: "Core" for close-range applications, "Prime" for advanced applications with medium range and accuracy requirements, and "Pro" for high-end navigation tasks and outdoor applications, for example in agriculture.

Further information on Sick's trade fair presence can be found here.

Switching from hydraulic to electric drive makes tractors more energy efficient, enables more precise control of tractors and implements, and reduces driver fatigue. TE 中国 will showcase new solutions for electric mobility in agriculture in Hall 17, Booth A51. High-speed/high-voltage connectors, used at the crucial interface between the tractor and its implements with power and traction needs, are playing an increasingly important role in agriculture. This is because, given the trend toward greater productivity and sustainability, demand is shifting from hydraulic drive to electric drive technologies. Traditional mechanical hydraulic linkages are not very energy efficient. Electric drives, on the other hand, not only reduce energy consumption, they also extend operator control over the attachment compared to hydraulic drives. They also additionally reduce the risk of operator fatigue.

Electric motors, instead of hydraulics, can either support the conventional diesel driveline in PTO (power take-off) operation (hybrid variant) or take it over completely. Electrically powered attachments such as spraying units are becoming wider and more precise. They require high-voltage connectors to transmit the required amounts of current. TE Connectivity will be presenting corresponding solutions at Agritechnica - find out even more about the innovations at the trade fair here:

If you have any questions about the solutions described above and other connectivity topics in agriculture - or in other sectors such as industry, railroad technology, automotive, building automation, etc., the #Euroconnectors team will be happy to provide you with advice and support. [hjs]