Graphical diesel engine monitoring software

New software delivers 'instant instrumentation' solutions to vehicle and plant manufacturers, giving multi-window views of J1939-compatible data and computing capability for user views and reports

TeleflexMorse Electronics has launched a ready-to-use monitoring and display package for SAE J1939-compatible diesel engine data.

Compatible with a range of large-format LCD panels, the package automatically creates highly graphical instrument clusters to display all key engine parameters and alarms - providing engine manufacturers with a time-saving solution for introducing equipment incorporating higher degrees of electronic control.

Dubbed GEM - Generic Engine Monitor - the software runs on any CANtrak LCD display.

These rugged, 4.3 x 4.3 inch/110x110mm DIN-format displays with soft keys are widely used in construction, agricultural and commercial diesel vehicles, boat applications, and diesel-powered compressors, pumps and generators.

"This engine data display concept eliminates a substantial element of the design process for diesel-powered equipment, shortening development cycles for manufacturers adopting higher degrees of electronic control", says Gary Rands, Product Manager at TeleflexMorse Electronics.

"It's also designed for adaptability, to provide OEMs who layer their own protocols onto CAN, and who work at the leading edge of the market, with a fast-turnaround programmable solution".

GEM supports 50 engine parameters and fault alarms in its standard form - a superset of all commonly required engine data - and will additionally calculate four further parameters including average fuel consumption.

This information is displayed graphically using menu-driven split-screens, with a main display showing four gauges for key data, and other screens and information accessible by soft keys.

Users have a high degree of flexibility over display configuration, allowing application-specific gauges to be created easily.

Configuration possibilities include the selection of gauges displayed on any screen, the use of analogue or digital data display, graph trending, the units used, and selection of the language - with a choice of eight for the latter option.

Among the 19 GEM engine data parameters are road speed, RPM, voltage, oil pressure and temperature, transmission oil pressure and temperature, coolant temperature and pressure, turbo pressure, inlet manifold and exhaust temperature, engine torque, and fuel level/pressure/rate.

GEM additionally offers the ability to manipulate data, and comes with four standard calculations that can be made available to end-users: average fuel rate per hour, average fuel consumption per distance, trip fuel and trip hours.

Together with more than 30 fault alarms, this large J1939 feature set provides an adaptable platform that allows manufacturers to apply a single, standard product to entire range of diesel engine vehicles and products - ranging from the basic to the highly sophisticated.

The software is highly modular and designed for both modification and extension - and TeleflexMorse Electronics will modify the displays on request.

By using the built-in computing power and memory of CANtrak displays, this programming flexibility extends to manipulating electronic control unit (ECU) and sensor data to create unique operator reports, views and calculations - giving OEMs a short-cut to differentiating their product offerings with high-value, user-focused controls and ergonomics.

GEM runs on any of three families of CANtrak displays.

All employ FSTN (film supertwist nematic) LCD technology for visibility in direct sunlight - with backlighting - and allow choices including operation over -40 to +70C, a Deutsch connector interface to the vehicle network, and protection to IP67 - which covers immersion in water.

This range provides support for OEMs building for harsh environments, such as vehicles or boats with exposed control panels, or equipment locations such as offshore platforms and remote wellheads.

CANtrak LCD displays equipped with GEM software cost USD 144, or 138 Euros and GBP89.54 in OEM quantities; small volumes for development and prototyping are available off the shelf.

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