|
New: Engine Data Connector
So after some time spent by messing up with the OBD in an attempt to get a reasonable digital dashboard in our software, we gave up and built our own device.
We call it EDC-01 (Engine Data Connector) and it has inputs for the distance/speed sensor (so we can calculate the speed and distance driven), the injector output of the ECU (which allows us to measure the fuel consumption) and ignition output of the ECU (that gives us the current RPM) as a bonus, it measures the voltage of its power supply.
The device connects to the computer using USB and simulates a virtual serial port using standard FTDI drivers. The data packet is sent 10 times every second, which gives us relatively smooth-moving gauges. Distance is sent as number of pulses and the fuel information as time the injector spent in "open" state - both need to be calibrated and recalculated to human-readable units in the computer.
We also equipped the module with EEPROM (to be replaced by FRAM) where the totals for distance and fuel are stored, so the whole thing works and counts the distance and consumption even if the computer is off.
|