Hardware Compatibility & Reference Database (HCRD)
The Hardware Compatibility & Reference Database (HCRD) is a central component of the AOFS ecosystem.
It provides a curated, reviewed, and versioned catalogue of hardware that is compatible with AOFS systems.
HCRD exists to help farmers, integrators, developers, and manufacturers make informed decisions about
which hardware components can be reliably used within an AOFS-based installation.
AOFS itself may develop reference hardware designs, firmware, and example implementations to bootstrap
the ecosystem. However, AOFS is explicitly not intended to become a hardware vendor.
The long-term goal is to foster a healthy ecosystem of independent hardware manufacturers building
AOFS-compatible devices.
Goals
The main goals of the HCRD are:
Provide a trusted source of truth for AOFS-compatible hardware
Reduce integration risk and engineering effort for farms and system integrators
Encourage hardware manufacturers to support AOFS natively
Establish clear and transparent compatibility ratings
Preserve AOFS neutrality while enabling commercial participation
Scope
The HCRD may contain entries for, but is not limited to:
Sensors (soil moisture, temperature, humidity, pressure, flow, EC, pH, etc.)
Actuators (valves, relays, pumps, motors, feeders, dosing systems)
Controllers and edge devices
Power systems (solar controllers, batteries, inverters, power monitors)
Communication modules (RS-485, CAN, LoRa, Ethernet, cellular, etc.)
Complete subsystems and reference assemblies
Both commercial products and open hardware designs may be listed.
Compatibility Levels
Each hardware entry is reviewed by AOFS engineers and assigned a compatibility level.
Gold
Fully compliant with AOFS specifications
Native AOFS protocol or officially supported drivers
Thoroughly tested under real-world conditions
Complete documentation available
Supports fail-safe and safety requirements
Silver
Compatible with AOFS via adapters, bridges, or minor configuration
Tested in controlled or limited field scenarios
Minor limitations or missing optional features
Documentation mostly complete
Bronze
Basic compatibility demonstrated
Limited testing or incomplete documentation
May require custom integration work
Suitable for experimental or non-critical deployments
The assigned level reflects technical compatibility only and does not constitute a warranty.
Database Contents
Each HCRD entry should include, where applicable:
Manufacturer name
Product name and model
Hardware category
Compatibility level (Gold / Silver / Bronze)
Supported interfaces and protocols
Electrical characteristics (voltage, current, signal types)
Environmental ratings (IP rating, temperature range)
Firmware and driver references
AOFS integration notes
Known limitations
Tested AOFS versions
Review and certification metadata
Submission & Review Process
Hardware manufacturers or community members may submit hardware for inclusion in the HCRD.
The general process is:
Submission of technical documentation and samples (where required)
Internal review by AOFS engineers
Compatibility testing against AOFS specifications
Assignment of compatibility level
Publication in the HCRD
A review fee may apply to cover engineering and testing effort.
Fee structures and exemptions (e.g. for open hardware or humanitarian projects)
are defined separately.
Reference Hardware
AOFS may publish reference hardware designs, schematics, firmware, and BOMs to:
Demonstrate correct implementation of AOFS specifications
Serve as a baseline for manufacturers
Enable local manufacturing and education
Reference hardware is not a requirement for HCRD inclusion.
Manufacturers are free to implement AOFS compatibility independently.
Target Audience
The HCRD is intended for:
Farmers and farm operators
System integrators and installers
Hardware manufacturers
AOFS developers and contributors
NGOs and humanitarian projects
Non-Goals
The HCRD is not:
A marketplace or sales platform
An endorsement of specific vendors
A replacement for local certification or regulatory approval
A guarantee of fitness for a specific use case
Future Extensions
Planned or possible extensions include:
Machine-readable APIs for automated compatibility checks
Integration with AOFS configuration tools
Regional availability and supply-chain metadata
Community feedback and field reports
Automated test result publication
See Also