ECU Diagnostic Software Re-Write

[aide]

Hi

I had some time off last summer so I bought an MBE ECU off eBay and set about simulating its environment.

I then played around with the ECU and the original diagnostic software and figured out how the two talk to each other.

I then re-wrote the ECU diagnostic software as an Android app.

So, now I can connect my phone to the ECU in my Cerbera.

I'm going to release the App soon but I'm not sure what to call it.

Does AJP-Bot sound good?

Aide

[aide]

Android is really great. It connects via the same cable just that my phone has a usb mini port so had to get an adapter cable.
It's for Android as the Apple rules for connecting to 3rd party hardware are pretty restrictive.

[aide]

P S K said:

Nice work.

Do you think it would work on a Kindle Fire? which is android based as far as I know

Not sure tbh, if it's android based I guess so. I still have a few bits to finish off. But can certainly have a look once version 1 is done.

[aide]

nrick said:

sounds great, let me know if you want some beta testing.......

Certainly will. Incidentally the first ecu I used was from a Tuscan speed six, I then got examples from a 4.2 and 4.5 to test with. Still a bit left to do..

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scotty_d said:

AJP Boss

Not bad!

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Gazzab said:

AJP ACE
Android connect ecu

That's good, I do like that...

How about AJP Droid?
Or Pocket AJP?

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spitfire4v8 said:

it's not just for AJP cars though is it? so something that includes SP6 cars in the title would be good

I designed the original version using an ecu from a tuscan speed six and have since got an ecu from a 4.2 and 4.5 AJP8, which work perfeclty fine. When it's finished it should cater for all engines that have an MBE ecu.

[aide]

There is so much more potential to extend the app beyond the functionality of the original diagnostic software.

I've already integrated the built in gps receiver in my phone so that I can have a speedometer on the app.

Plus, behind the scenes, I can log all the engine stats in real time with speed, gps position and elevation as well.

So it shouldn't be hard to allow the app dispaly all this info [engine stats, speed, gps etc] on an embedded google map or something..

Plus it'll be easy to anayise this data, either externally or from withn the app..

[aide]

Mr Cerbera said:

Astounding Aide - and producing a new daughter as well - There obviously is no end to your talent

As usual Mr. Dullo's questions....

Android is Linux isn't it ? and therefore Public License. Does that mean it could be run on Symbian^3 (Nokia N8) ??

Ta !

Paul (Still struggling with ECU reading )

Thanks Paul, the little one is grand, not much sleep lately!, but all good so far, yep android is based on linux but Symbian is Nokia's own operating system I believe so more than likely not compatable..

[aide]

FarmyardPants said:

Sounds great. If it could broadcast the data over wifi, then you could put an old android phone in the ecu box and watch the realtime data on your phone. Or with a data sim it could upload to a website for a DIY tracker, remote immobiliser, data logger...
Lots of potential there

Could even have the app communicate with itself in other cars (ie when at spa!)

spitfire4v8 said:

The early version you demo'd looked fabulous .. with all the extra bells and whistles on it should be outstanding and yep if it will interface with all MBE ecus then the world is you lobster .. plenty of competition cars use MBE, also some Nobles, Dancing Donkeys also had MBE fitted .. it will put you well and truly on the automobile app map Also if you know MPH (gps) and RPM then you can deduce gear ratios and have a dashboard like they have on the F1 coverage where it shows lateral/longitudinal accelerations, gear selected, throttle input .. from the longitudinal accel you could also make an assumption on brake effort % being applied also. The posibilities are many for extra add-ons

Yes, there are soem really interesting things you could add in. I've also successfully accessed the giroscope in the phone and can display acceleration and lateral g.

So, lots to play with..

Just have to find time!!

[aide]

Gazzab said:

It's ace.

It's TVR night at ACE cafe!

[aide]

julian64 said:

Aide, interested in how you are interfacing with the MBE. Is this an add on bluetooth 232 dongle, or are you actually attaching wires to the bottom of your phone.

The nine pin plug in the MBE is simple RS232 and to my knowledge that doesn't come out of a mobile phone to use.

Only asking cos I have a project I have been trying to do where a mobile phone is stuck onto a radio contorlled helicopter and it would be very useful if RS232 was available.

As I see it your software would need to be supplied with the means to attach. I'm just not clear fro mthe thread how that happens.

That sounds like fun, what sort of mobile phone are you going to stick to the helicopter?

[aide]

julian64 said:

Its an old HTC desire. Was using GPS data for positioning, but it jumps around too much to use for flight at the mo.

Have you looked into bluetooth, its fairly easy to get the com running once a bluetooth connection is established, and it would allow you to be more hands free with the phone.

It seems to be the preferred option with OBD in these car monitering devices you can use. If you look on the andriod store for 'torque' I run that for the BMW and it gives pretty much everything your talking about but for obd cars rather than the MBE. Howvever I'm sure making your system duplicate it for the MBE would be a good seller.

PPS the MBE you bought on ebay, was it the locked TVR version or the open anycar mapping system?

The HTC desire might be a bit heavy for a helicopter as well?

I have an rs232 bluetooth dongle - I'll release support for it in v2 or v3..

The torque app is great, I have it for my other car, one very useful features it has is the ability to show the min/max values seen on a dial.

I have a stack of ecu's at home, my wife will probably divorce me if I buy another one!

[aide]

gruffalo said:

question, WHEN!!!!!!

I should have a demo version ready for Chatsworth

eta: 3h1t! did I just say that out loud!

Edited by aide on Wednesday 17th April 17:14

[aide]

Sitting in bumper to bumper up hill traffic on Western Avenue, on my way to Ace Cafe, with my S3 looking at coolant temperature in real time from the ecu..

[aide]

gruffalo said:

aide said:

gruffalo said:

question, WHEN!!!!!!

I should have a demo version ready for Chatsworth

eta: 3h1t! did I just say that out loud!

Edited by aide on Wednesday 17th April 17:14

I would like details of how to order as well please although I need to get an Android phone as well:-)

Once version 1 is finished I'll release it on the Android Play Store.

I designed it to run on my Samsung Galaxy S3, so if you haven't got an Android phone you can't really get much better than the S3. (Ok, there is a newer S4 out, but the best thing about it is that it will make the S3 Cheap!)

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alex_gray255 said:

Looking forward to seeing it!

I use "dash command" and "torque" for my Lotus and was thinking about something in this area for the TVR as well.

Thanks Alex, I haven't seen dash command. I do use Torque for my XJR which is pretty good. This app is new so Version 1 won't be near as polished as Torque etc.. but the nice thing is that since there is a small community of users I'll be able to releae features and updates to cover all requests pretty easily. (Bearing in mind that I wrote it for my Cerbera so I guess feature requests from your guys should interest me as well!)

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Jhonno said:

What about an N4..?

Do you mean a google nexus 4?

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alex_gray255 said:

Dash command has some nice features in it...

http://www.palmerperformance.com/products/dashcomm...

Also allows you to work with different skins, plus muck around with the ECU and TCU settings, clear faults etc.

If you are after feature ideas

I might have a look at that later as it wouldn’t do any harm to check it out.

I've written this new app from scratch in Python, C and Java.

Version 1 will more than likely be just a like-for-like of the original– i.e. functionally the same as the old except displayed on a new GUI.

I have a few ideas (and requests) for features that I'll add in due course.

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alex_gray255 said:

I could port it/rewrite it for the iphone too if enough people are interested and I have the time.

Porting it to Objective C would not be too complex as long as I have the necessary MBE data.

And before people jump down my throat saying DO IT, I am only thinking out-loud and only if I get the time...

Thanks Alex, I really appreciate your offer but the design and implementation of the app has already been completed.

Objective C is pretty easy so I can handle any development work in that area.

However, if you could perhaps think of a name for the app that would most helpful.