Multi-vehicle communication interface

• US 6,526,340 B1
• Filed: 12/21/1999
• Issued: 02/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPX Corporation
• Inventors: Raichle, Kurt R., Reul, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tan Q.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Dalena
• Application Number:
  US09/468,697
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• Field of Search: 701/29, 701/33, 701/35, 701/32, 340/439, 731/16, 731/181, 731/172
• US Class Current: 701/29
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 23/027 Alarm generation, e.g. communication protocol; Forms of alarm

Abstract

A diagnostic tool communicates with a plurality of motor vehicle control units and implements at least two different communication protocols within a single motor vehicle. The diagnostic tool includes a processor and a field programmable gate array. The processor executes diagnostic routines and thereby provides messages to one of the plurality of motor vehicle control units. The field programmable gate array provides a selectable multiple protocol interface that is coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the processor. The selectable multiple protocol interface converts processor messages into a format that is readable by the selected motor vehicle control unit and converts received control unit information into a format that is readable by the processor.

Claims

1. A diagnostic tool for communicating with a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, the plurality of motor vehicle control units implementing at least two different communication protocols, the diagnostic tool comprising:

a processor for executing a plurality of diagnostic routines and thereby providing messages to at least one of the plurality of motor vehicle control units, wherein each of the plurality of diagnostic routines corresponds to a selected motor vehicle control unit; and

a field programmable gate array providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to accommodate the at least two different communication protocols, said gate array coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the processor, the selectable multiple protocol interface converting the messages from the processor into a format readable by the selected motor vehicle control unit and converting received control unit information into a format readable by the processor.

2. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a selectable signal translator coupled between the plurality of motor vehicle control units and the field programmable gate array, the selectable signal translator conditioning the messages from the processor or the control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control unit to a conditioned signal compatible with the selected motor vehicle control unit or the processor, respectively.

3. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further comprising:

a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor, the non-volatile memory storing the diagnostic routines for the selected motor vehicle control unit which responds to receive the messages from the processor and to transmit the control unit information to the processor in response to the messages.

4. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein the non-volatile memory is a flash ROM.

5. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein the non-volatile memory is an EEPROM.

6. The diagnostic tool of claim 3, wherein the non-volatile memory is provided external to the diagnostic tool as a plug-in module.

7. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, further including:

at least one input coupled to the processor for receiving input data from a user, the user initiating one of the diagnostic routines by entering a selection; and

a display coupled to the processor for displaying the results provided by the initiated diagnostic routine.

8. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface is a J1850 channel module that includes conversion circuitry for J1850 variable pulse width modulation (VPWM) and J1850 pulse width modulation (PWM) communication protocols.

9. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface is a pulse code decoder (PCD) channel module.

10. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface is a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module.

11. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface includes conversion circuitry for a communication collision detection (CCD) communication protocol.

12. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface is a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module that includes conversion circuitry for an ISO 9141 communication protocol.

13. The diagnostic tool of claim 1, wherein the selectable multiple protocol interface includes a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module that includes conversion circuitry for an analog-to-digital converter, a controller area network (CAN) and a serial peripheral interface (SPI) communication protocol.

14. A method of providing diagnostic capability for a plurality of motor vehicle control units within a single motor vehicle, the plurality of motor vehicle control units utilizing at least two different communication protocols, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication of a diagnostic routine to be executed, the diagnostic routine being applicable to a selected motor vehicle control unit;

selecting a channel module for communicating with the selected motor vehicle control unit, the channel module including a plurality of communication protocols;

enabling one of the plurality of communication protocols of the selected channel module;

providing messages from the processor to the selected motor vehicle control unit by providing a selectable multiple protocol interface to accommodate the at least two different communication protocols, said messages being provided in a format that is readable by the selected motor vehicle control unit; and

providing control unit information from the selected motor vehicle control unit in a format readable by the processor.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module is a J1850 channel module that includes conversion circuitry for J1850 variable pulse width modulation (VPWM) and J1850 pulse width modulation (PWM) communication protocols.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module is a pulse code decoder (PCD) channel module.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module is a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module includes conversion circuitry for a communication collision detection (CCD) communication protocol.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module is a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module that includes conversion circuitry for an ISO 9141 communication protocol.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the channel module includes a serial communication interface (SCI) channel module that includes conversion circuitry for an analog-to-digital converter, a controller area network (CAN) and a serial peripheral interface (SPI) communication protocol.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

providing the selectable multiple protocol interface via a field programmable gate array.