Pi Innovo accelerates On-Board Diagnostics implementation

“At the OBD software core is an extensive library of compliant software functions resulting from our engineers poring over reams of specification documents”, commented David Price, CTO at Pi Innovo, “However, the key to the product is the configurable Simulink® blocks and intelligent build system that perform tasks that would require specialist knowledge and typically take over 10 man years of effort to start from analysing legislated specifications and finish with a compliant software implementation”.

Once a fault condition has been detected, OBD legislation precisely defines how the fault and associated information should be stored and reported using defined constructs, such as Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) lifecycles, In-Use Performance Ratios (IUPR), and communication protocols for both light and heavy duty vehicles (ISO 15765 & SAE J1939). The product features libraries of either C-code or configurable Simulink® blocks with interactive dialogues that prompt for correct data, given the legislated compliance selected. An intelligent software build system enables the systems engineer to define each of, typically, hundreds of tests completely independently. This build system automates the highly complex task of partitioning the control vs platform service software and optimising the entire system for ECU performance and non-volatile memory usage.

The increasing scope and complexity of regulatory OBD requirements are proving to be a great challenge to the industry. Recent announcements indicate that the California Air Resources Board (CARB) will introduce mandatory requirements for heavy-duty hybrid vehicles in 2014 and alternative fuel vehicles in 2018. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will initiate country wide requirements for heavy-duty hybrid vehicles in 2017.

The product helps meet these challenges by successfully capturing the expertise Pi Innovo engineers have gained over years of implementing compliant OBD capabilities in powertrain control and exhaust gas aftertreatment projects.

The OBD Infrastructure Software is equally useful in non-emissions related applications and is fully compatible with the OpenECU range of adaptable, field-ready products designed to accelerate electronics system development. The concept behind OpenECU is the creation of modular, reusable technology that is implemented to volume production standards and is fully “open” to custom configuration, adaption and further development. The OpenECU family includes; hardware ECU modules, prototyping accessories, electronic circuit libraries, platform software and model-based control strategies.