Wireless self-powered transponders and multi-sensing unit to enable ISOBUS identification of mechanical implements

In this paper we present an ISOBUS-based system for the automatic identification of implements or trailers without electronics on board. This allows, firstly, to improve the pre-crash prevention because the performances of existing vehicle dynamics control systems can now take into account data coming from the implements or trailers connected to the tractor. Secondly, publishing on the ISOBUS network the information of all the implements, including the ones without electronics, permits a full deployment of precision farming techniques.
The absence of electrical or electronic equipment on implements forces the use of wireless solutions, which in turn are limited by their battery lifetime, which is not comparable with the typical lifetime of trailers or implements. To overcome this limiting factor we added energy harvesting capabilities to the developed transponder, which is able to store energy coming from mechanical vibrations occurring during the normal implement working conditions.