CAN broadcasting for dash loggers

[jsmcortina]

After some very handy pointers and discussion with Peter Florance, I believe I now understand what is needed to make Megasquirt send out standard CAN data that many high-end dash loggers can be made to understand (with the correct template.)

I have developed the needed sub-system to transmit this data and written a document on how to use the channels.

Screenshot-CAN Realtime Data Broadcasting-1.png

The next step is for some users with suitable dash/loggers to try it out. If you want to try, please PM me an email address - we aren't ready to post the code just yet.

Looking forwards, it is hoped that this code will be included in 1.3.1 - as the release of 1.3.0 is imminent, it would be disruptive to apply it there. Pending successful testing, I believe that the feature can be added to MS2 also.

James

[Reverant]

Emailed.

[bcrx7]

PM Sent!

[ashford]

would this be suitable for oem dashes? i was just researching on how to make a stock ford dash work

[jsmcortina]

would this be suitable for oem dashes? i was just researching on how to make a stock ford dash work

No, for stock dashes you will need to find out exactly what identifier they are listening out for and what the data format looks like, then we need to add that to the code - see the existing "CAN broadcasting" page.

James

[Peter Florance]

We did some chatting and testing today (I have cheap CANBus analyzer) and this feature appears to work well within the brief testing we did.

There seems to be a bug leftover from Can Broadcasting (that drives gauges) that sends a 0 length packet with ID 0x00. I'm guessing we never sniffed the packets again after that feature started working in late 2012. We've been driving a BMW cluster with it since then.

This is really exciting for us as it opens up a wide range of logger and dash loggers for MegaSquirt use.

[prof315]

pm'd

[jsmcortina]

From the other thread it seems that AiM dashes _presently_ use a hardcoded format that only collects a sub-set of Megasquirt information. They have implemented the non-standard "Megasquirt-CAN" protocol to fetch the data. This new system adds a standard-CAN method (like everyone else uses) so ought to make it easier for any dash/logger company to add support.

James

[Matt Cramer]

Very interesting!

[JoseMiguel]

Very interesting, looking forward to this

[jsmcortina]

Planned protocol sheet attached for info.
EDIT: Removed - updated version posted later.

James

[nuvolarossa]

these CAN news weren't expected and are VERY interesting, both broadcasting and receiving.

[prof315]

From the other thread it seems that AiM dashes _presently_ use a hardcoded format that only collects a sub-set of Megasquirt information. They have implemented the non-standard "Megasquirt-CAN" protocol to fetch the data. This new system adds a standard-CAN method (like everyone else uses) so ought to make it easier for any dash/logger company to add support.

James

The AiM dash/loggers are indeed currently limited to collecting a hardcoded data sub-set but on the bright side they are extremely simple to set up. Other than the physical wiring connection all of the set up is done with AiM's race studio2 software and takes about 5 minutes to load and test. Also with this new broadcast protocol it may be possible to trick it simply by selecting a different ECU that has a different data set

[Peter Florance]

From the other thread it seems that AiM dashes _presently_ use a hardcoded format that only collects a sub-set of Megasquirt information. They have implemented the non-standard "Megasquirt-CAN" protocol to fetch the data. This new system adds a standard-CAN method (like everyone else uses) so ought to make it easier for any dash/logger company to add support.

James

The AiM dash/loggers are indeed currently limited to collecting a hardcoded data sub-set but on the bright side they are extremely simple to set up. Other than the physical wiring connection all of the set up is done with AiM's race studio2 software and takes about 5 minutes to load and test. Also with this new broadcast protocol it may be possible to trick it simply by selecting a different ECU that has a different data set

I have complicated relationship (70% love/30% hate) with MoTeC products, but when it comes to CAN support, I have to say they have the right idea. Especially in Dash/Loggers.

I love that I can capture anything on the CANBus in the MoTeC dash, do some math if I want, and resend it. I'm not sure anyone else's dash will work quite like that. But it would be nice if they would...

[bcrx7]

Waiting on a generic Racepak CAN adapter to show up in mail so I can test the code James sent on my IQ3! Excited!

[Peter Florance]

Waiting on a generic Racepak CAN adapter to show up in mail so I can test the code James sent on my IQ3! Excited!

How is the Racepak logger?

[krisr]

Waiting on a generic Racepak CAN adapter to show up in mail so I can test the code James sent on my IQ3! Excited!

Waiting on the results of this due to the lack of flexibility of the AIM MXL.

[bcrx7]

Well so far, so good. It hasn't left the shop but I have played around with it with the car running and it does a pretty decent job. The dash itself is really capable. The software is alright, I wish it was a bit more user friendly. The fact that you can just have quite a few universal modules with all kind of sensors definitely is a plus. And it has built in GPS (they all do these day, right?)

[Peter Florance]

Well so far, so good. It hasn't left the shop but I have played around with it with the car running and it does a pretty decent job. The dash itself is really capable. The software is alright, I wish it was a bit more user friendly. The fact that you can just have quite a few universal modules with all kind of sensors definitely is a plus. And it has built in GPS (they all do these day, right?)

Thanks. I'll be curious how the analysis software is.

[jsmcortina]

Waiting on a generic Racepak CAN adapter to show up in mail so I can test the code James sent on my IQ3! Excited!

Waiting on the results of this due to the lack of flexibility of the AIM MXL.

One forum user has been in touch with AiM and it sounded hopeful that they would be able to use this new broadcasting once it is finalised.

James