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Controller Area Network (CAN), SAE J1939, NMEA 2000 Wireless Module for IoT and ELD Applications
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Due to the global shortage of electronic components, we at Copperhill Technologies began rethinking our strategy regarding new developments. Luckily, that change turned out to be a blessing in disguise because the transition from NXP LPC to the ESP32 processor opened the door to more industrial and automotive applications, especially those involving wireless transmissions for the Internet of Things (IoT) and Electronic Logging Devices (ELD).
The result of this new development comes in the form of our JCOM.CAN.ESP32 board, which represents the core of our future wireless CAN Bus, SAE J1939, and NMEA 2000 gateways. At the time of this writing, the board has been tested, and is available in production volumes.
Features
- ESP32 Processor - 32-bit LX6 Microprocessor with clock frequency up to 240 MHz
- 520 KB of SRAM, 448 KB of ROM and 16 KB of RTC SRAM
- Supports 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi connectivity with speeds up to 150 Mbps
- Support for both Classic Bluetooth v4.2 and BLE specifications
- Onboard CAN Bus Controller and Transceiver
- Two UART ports
- One SPI/I2C port
- Four LED outputs (two onboard, two for external mounting)
- Seven GPIO signals
- Power Input Range: 8 to 36 VDC, max. 1 Amp
- Operating Temperature: -40C to +85C
- Size: 61mm x 39mm x 15mm - 2.4" x 1.5" x 0.6" (W x L x H)
New Products
The first new products will be a CAN Bus, SAE J1939 and NMEA 2000 to Bluetooth gateway. The images represent a mockup of the final NMEA 2000 product in planning. The CAN Bus and SAE J1939 versions will come with a DSUB9 connector, while the NMEA 2000 version utilizes an M12 5-pin connector. The enclosure is a customized version of the standard Polycase LP-21P (size 3.29 x 2.42 x 1.00 in / 83.57 x 61.47 x 25.40 mm). We expect production volumes of both versions by October 2022.
Another product under development is the JCOM.ESP32.DEV board, which, as the name implies, serves as an ESP32 development board for end users.
The board adds two DSUB9 connectors (CAN Bus, RS232), an SD card interface, and a Real-Time Clock (RTC) to the JCOM.CAN.ESP32 module. The board size was designed to fit in the Polycase LP51F enclosure, which we will provide as an option.
In addition, we will deliver free C source code for all hardware interfaces (SAE J1939 and NMEA protocol stack excluded).
Furthermore, we will use the same design to replace our current SAE J1939 to RS232/USB gateway and our SAE J1939 GPS module.
The ELD (Electronic Logging Device) Aspect
In the past, we received several inquiries regarding developing an Electronic Logging Device. To mention it upfront, the full development of an ELD application involves technologies, specifically the data processing and the cellular transmission to a server, that are out of our area of expertise. Consequently, we focus on the data retrieval from the vehicle network and provide an API (Application Programming Interface) for processing on a central device with a powerful operating system (Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, etc.).
We deem our SAE J1939 to Bluetooth device to be a perfect choice for the above shown Vehicle Gateway. For more information on ELD concepts, see our post Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule.
The IoT (Internet of Things) Aspect
I don't want to go too deep into the topic of IoT. There is more than sufficient online information available to cover IoT. I would like to stress the point that the ESP32 processor supports wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, BLE, and WiFi. We are currently working on the Bluetooth connection and will add BLE and WiFi in the future. All this is only a matter of extending and modifying existing software. The hardware already exists and requires no modifications other than exchanging the antennas.
For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Programming the Internet of Things: An Introduction to Building Integrated, Device-to-Cloud IoT Solutions
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So, whether you are an engineering student learning the basics of the IoT, a tech-savvy executive looking to understand the nuances of IoT technology stacks better, or a programmer building your smart house solution, this practical book will help you get started.
Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) for Fleet Management – SAE J1939 And SAE J1708/J1587 Parameters
An electronic logging device (ELD) is electronic hardware that is attached to a commercial motor vehicle engine to record driving hours. The driving hours of commercial drivers (truck and bus drivers) are regulated by a set of rules known as the hours of service (HOS). The Commercial Vehicle Driver Hours of Service Regulations vary in Canada and [...]
Build an ELD Better, Faster, and Cheaper Than KEEPTRUCKIN, Samsara, and Others
To mention it upfront, I am not suggesting building the best ELD (Electronic Logging Device) solution in the market. Such systems already exist, and while I like the idea of disrupting the market, I deem such an attempt extremely time-consuming, thus expensive, and most likely not worth the efforts. In other words, KEEPTRUCKIN and Samsara [...]
SAE J1939 Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Simulation And Data Monitoring With Timestamp Under Linux
The following describes a method of sampling and recording SAE J1939 data to any Linux device, PC or Embedded. Naturally, in order to read and request SAE J1939 data, you will need additional hardware, such as a CAN Bus (Controller Area Network) interface board (unless you use an embedded Linux system with onboard CAN port). The [...]
ELD Concept: SAE J1939 Data Recording And Display Using Android Or iOS Devices
An electronic logging device (ELD) is electronic hardware that is attached to a commercial motor vehicle engine to record driving hours. The driving hours of commercial drivers (truck and bus drivers) are regulated by a set of rules known as the hours of service (HOS). The Commercial Vehicle Driver Hours of Service Regulations vary in Canada and [...]
Monitoring SAE J1939 Data Using The Raspberry Pi Plus PiCAN2 CAN Bus Interface Board
During the past years, we have received multiple inquiries in regards to creating an Electronic Logging Device (ELD) using the Raspberry Pi in combination with our PiCAN2 CAN Bus interface board, where the PiCAN is being used to monitor SAE J1939 data.The mere monitoring of SAE J1939 data (Parameter Group Numbers - PGN) is fairly easy, [...]
Data Acquisition From Heavy-Duty Vehicles Using The SAE J1939 CAN Bus
Modern vehicles have electronic control units (ECUs) to control various subsystems such as the engine, brakes, steering, air conditioning, and infotainment. These ECUs (or simply `controllers') are networked together to share information, and output directly measured and calculated data to each other. This in-vehicle network is a data goldmine for improved maintenance, measuring vehicle performance and [...]
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Electronic Logging Device (ELD) Rule
An electronic logging device (ELD) is electronic hardware that is attached to a commercial motor vehicle engine to record driving hours. The driving hours of commercial drivers (truck and bus drivers) are regulated by a set of rules known as the hours of service (HOS). The Commercial Vehicle Driver Hours of Service Regulations vary in [...]