Aftermarket EMS - any with an open architecture?
Discussion
My track car runs an old Motec M8 ECU, which has been good, but it is now v. old and i have all sorts of interface 'bodges' to make it run properly. Does anyone know if any of the aftermarket EMS suppliers offer an "open architecture" that enables one to write your own strategy etc?
(I'd like to move to a "torque based" system, so that i can accurately map/match my transmission controller to the engine)
(I'd like to move to a "torque based" system, so that i can accurately map/match my transmission controller to the engine)
I've yet to see one. The only truly open systems tend to be the DIY ones and I'm not sure they'd offer the level of features or design you're after.
I'm also not sure if there's any readily available 'generic' development hardware available? I've seen boards but not on a open commercial basis.
Possibly the way forward would be to talk to one of the aftermarket suppliers and see what you can get on a direct basis? Someone like GEMS maybe? Buy the commercial product and get 'dev' access to the software under NDA?
Certainly in the past I've found I could get progress talking to the engineering teams (as they tend to be quite small) and if you're someone with knowledge/experience they can deal with on a straightforward basis that never hurts; for example in one case I fixed a couple of bugs that were causing problems (having offered free engineering resource) and got some extra features added in return (having supplied an implementation).
I'm also not sure if there's any readily available 'generic' development hardware available? I've seen boards but not on a open commercial basis.
Possibly the way forward would be to talk to one of the aftermarket suppliers and see what you can get on a direct basis? Someone like GEMS maybe? Buy the commercial product and get 'dev' access to the software under NDA?
Certainly in the past I've found I could get progress talking to the engineering teams (as they tend to be quite small) and if you're someone with knowledge/experience they can deal with on a straightforward basis that never hurts; for example in one case I fixed a couple of bugs that were causing problems (having offered free engineering resource) and got some extra features added in return (having supplied an implementation).
Max_Torque said:
My track car runs an old Motec M8 ECU, which has been good, but it is now v. old and i have all sorts of interface 'bodges' to make it run properly. Does anyone know if any of the aftermarket EMS suppliers offer an "open architecture" that enables one to write your own strategy etc?
(I'd like to move to a "torque based" system, so that i can accurately map/match my transmission controller to the engine)
I'm sure that given your knowledge, if you approached some of the smaller brands, they might be more accommodating than the likes of the big names.(I'd like to move to a "torque based" system, so that i can accurately map/match my transmission controller to the engine)
I'm sure Charlie/Vixpy in the post above will be in touch re Syvecs.
Or you could maybe try Andy from Adaptronic. His e1280s seems to be very versatile, and he would be very approachable I'm sure.
Or...
I'm sure you could list more features than anyone lol
http://passionford.com/forum/general-car-related-d...
I'm positive someone with your knowledge would be welcomed to the MegaSquirt scene.
the current MSIII is becoming a very capable ECU, LTFT has just been added to the latest beta firmware. There is a hell of a lot of flash left for code, and as long as you articulate your ideas well the developers (one of whom is based in Birmingham UK), are very receptive to input and ideas.
The forum for MegaSquirt is www.MSExtra.com
the current MSIII is becoming a very capable ECU, LTFT has just been added to the latest beta firmware. There is a hell of a lot of flash left for code, and as long as you articulate your ideas well the developers (one of whom is based in Birmingham UK), are very receptive to input and ideas.
The forum for MegaSquirt is www.MSExtra.com
Perhaps you could design one Mr Torque?
What about an Arduino-based ECU. Take a look at the Ardupilot MEGA which is an autopilot that uses a separate ATMega328 uC to handle the intensive real-time work and then the standard ATMega2560 for the control algorithms which can be written under the Arduino IDE.
The injection/ignition/encoder(s) sync could be handled by the 328 and then then number crunching by the 2560. I'll bet you could prototype it with the base APM hardware, driving high-impedance injectors and an old Bosch/Marelli/WHY ignition module.
Project for Sir...?
What about an Arduino-based ECU. Take a look at the Ardupilot MEGA which is an autopilot that uses a separate ATMega328 uC to handle the intensive real-time work and then the standard ATMega2560 for the control algorithms which can be written under the Arduino IDE.
The injection/ignition/encoder(s) sync could be handled by the 328 and then then number crunching by the 2560. I'll bet you could prototype it with the base APM hardware, driving high-impedance injectors and an old Bosch/Marelli/WHY ignition module.
Project for Sir...?
They don't do a great job of selling it but yes the Motec M1 does seem to be an option.
The only problem seems to be that if you want proper open access via Build it looks like you have to qualify as a 'system integrator'? Not clear what's involved but I expect part of it is £££'s.
And the entry cost isn't exactly low, the hardware is anything from £2500 to £4500 per unit and the development kit software seems to be ~£3500 between the license and the tool kit. Extra cost for enabling logging on top of that and I suspect at some point there will be sub licenses for advanced function blocks.
So nice concept and potentially does what's required but a friendly relationship with a supplier might be cheaper.
The only problem seems to be that if you want proper open access via Build it looks like you have to qualify as a 'system integrator'? Not clear what's involved but I expect part of it is £££'s.
And the entry cost isn't exactly low, the hardware is anything from £2500 to £4500 per unit and the development kit software seems to be ~£3500 between the license and the tool kit. Extra cost for enabling logging on top of that and I suspect at some point there will be sub licenses for advanced function blocks.
So nice concept and potentially does what's required but a friendly relationship with a supplier might be cheaper.
I have the bare bones of an EMS system prototyped actually, but not the time to finish/debug it! (I've used an quad core XMOS device (800Mhz "event driven") for the low level timing and mechanics of engine position determination, and an STMF4 32b processor (170Mhz) for the main strategy controller).
if there were a source for proven hardware/low level strategy that was availible then that would help make things quicker!
I'll take a look at the Motec M1 stuff, not something i had heard about before.
if there were a source for proven hardware/low level strategy that was availible then that would help make things quicker!
I'll take a look at the Motec M1 stuff, not something i had heard about before.
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