Presentation on Past, Present and Future of OBD Technology.

1. What is “OBD”,
anyway?
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2. OBD Overview
OBD stands for “On-Board Diagnostics.”
Computer-based system designed to
control emissions
Provides early warning through MIL
(Malfunction Indicator Light).
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3. OBD Overview
OBD system
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4. History of OBD
First introduced in 1981 by GM
Became requirement in CA in 1988
Shortcomings of OBD-I
Only a few parameters are monitored
Vague standards resulted in many different
implementations (ALDL, GMLAN, several
versions of ISO9141, etc.)
Communication protocol information is
proprietary
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5. History of OBD
OBD-II: OBD, second generation
Introduced in 1994
Required on all MY1996+ vehicles
More sophisticated – monitors many
different engine parameters
Standards are available from SAE and ISO
Accepted spellings: OBDII, OBD-II, OBD-2
Often misspelled as “ODB” (yuk!)
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6. History of OBD
OBD timeline (United States)
1981 1996
OBD-I
OBD-II
1994
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7. OBD-II
OBD-II Compliance (US only)
All 1996+ cars and light trucks (<8,500 lbs)
All 2004+ medium duty vehicles (<14,000 lbs)
Some 1994 and 1995 models with this sticker:
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8. OBD-II
OBD-II Compliance outside the USA
A growing number of countries have adopted
OBD legislation (JOBD, EOBD, etc)
Varies greatly from country to country
Lags behind the US
Generally more complicated than US legislation
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9. OBD-II
Just five protocols are allowed:
SAE J1850 VPW (GM)
SAE J1850 PWM (Ford)
ISO9141-2 (imports, Chrysler)
ISO14230-4 (Keyword Protocol 2000, 1998+)
ISO15765-4 (CAN, introduced in 2004)
Starting with MY2008, all vehicles sold in
the US are required to be equipped with
ISO15765-4 (CAN)
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10. OBD-II
Why CAN?
Flexible, proven protocol
Excellent noise immunity
Fast!
VPW, ISO, KWP 10 kbps
PWM 41 kbps
CAN
500 kbps
CAN
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11. OBD-II
OBD protocols timeline
1994 2008
J1850 VPW
J1850 PWM
ISO9141-2
KWP2000
CAN
1998
2004 2010+
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12. OBD-III
OBD-2 plus wireless; information
wirelessly uploaded to DMV servers
Can be done over cellular/satellite, DSRC,
Bluetooth, WiFi (still being defined)
Benefits:
Reduces emissions/catches problems early
Saves time and money
Drawbacks:
Privacy concerns
Upfront cost
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13. OBD-III
Is it a good idea?
Doesn’t matter – it is already happening.
FCC allocated 75 Mhz in the 5.9 Ghz band
for vehicle communications
GM’s OnStar system can be programmed
to report OBD I/M data
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14. OBD-III
Implementation underway in the following
states:
California (Continuous Testing Program)
Nevada (pilot program, 110 vehicles)
Oregon (5000 units, 2 of 15 antennas set up)
Wisconsin (pilot program)
Illinois (pilot program)
Utah (proof of concept testing)
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15. OBD Applications
Diagnostics
Repair verification
Photo courtesy ASE
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16. OBD Applications
Performance tuning
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17. OBD Applications
Digital dashboards
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18. OBD Applications
Fleet Management System
Access diagnostic info & real-time statistics:
• Engine idle time
• Miles traveled
• Max RPM
• Trouble codes
• Etc
Diagnostic connector can be
used to provide power to
on-board computer
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19. OBD Applications
Sanctioned product plug
microOBD
• “OBD in a can”
• Tiny: 25x50 mm (1x2 in)
• 0.1” single row header
• Supports all OBD protocols
• Can interface directly with
host micro
• ELM327 compatible command set
• Firmware upgradeable via bootloader
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20. OBD Applications
Data logging
Record engine parameters for later playback
Capture intermittent events
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21. OBD Applications
Pass-Thru Programming (SAE J2534)
Auto Manufacturers
Internet connection
Internet connection
DSL, Cable, dialup…
(DSL, cable, dialup, etc)
OBD cable
PC connection
Serial, USB, WiFi,
Bluetooth
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22. OBD Applications
ECU Hacking
Packet sniffing
Reflashing
Remote control
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23. Getting at the Data
OBD scan tool
Device used to retrieve information from the on-
board diagnostic system
Types of scan tools
Stand alone
PC based
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24. Getting at the Data
Stand-alone scan tools
Advantages:
• Do not require a PC
Disadvantages:
• Minimalistic interface
• Fixed software
• Higher end units
very expensive
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25. Getting at the Data
PC-based scan tools
Advantages:
• Harnesses the power and economy of
scale of modern PCs
• Large, easy-to-read screen
• Unlimited storage for data logging
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26. Getting at the Data
PC-based scan tools
Advantages (continued):
• Wide selection of diagnostic software
that can be easily updated
• Remote data acquisition
• Fraction of the cost of comparable
stand-alone scan tools
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27. Getting at the Data
– Which scan tool is right for me?
– Depends on intended use
Code scanning: cheap code reader
Casual user/do it yourself mechanic: PC-
based scan tool with basic (free/inexpensive)
software
Professional mechanic: high-end stand-alone
scan tool ($$$) or a PC-based scan tool with
enhanced diagnostic software (less $)
CarPC enthusiast: PC-based scan tool (USB
or Bluetooth)
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28. Getting at the Data
– What should I look for in a scan tool?
– Questions to ask:
Is it compatible with my vehicle?
What software is available?
Which parameters are supported? (Modes 1
thru A are generic OBD) Does it support
manufacturer-specific parameters?
Is the software/hardware upgradeable?
What connection options are available?
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29. The Future
OBD-III
Integration of OBD with inter-vehicle
communication services
Emergency warning system
Collision avoidance
Cooperative daptive cruise control
etc
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30. The Future
Wireless firmware updates
“Ejection seat bugfix is available. Install update (Y/N)?”
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31. Resources
DTCSearch.com – search engine for diagnostic trouble codes.
http://www.dtcsearch.com
International Standards Organization
http://www.iso.org
MP3Car.com
http://www.mp3car.com
ScanTool.net, LLC website
http://www.scantool.net
Society of Automotive Engineers
http://www.sae.org
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32. References
California Air Resource Board’s OBD Program
http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/obdprog/obdprog.htm
Environmental Protection Agency: OBD home
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/regs/im/obd/index.htm
Equipment and Tool Institute
www.etools.org
National Automotive Service Task Force
www.nastf.org
National OBD Clearinghouse
www.OBDclearinghouse.com
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33. Contact
Vitaliy Maksimov
ScanTool.net, LLC
vitaliy@scantool.net or engineering@scantool.net
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