ADVANCED VEHICLE TECHNOLOGIES, Inc.
Press release
10 June, 1996

Dual J1850 Interface

Advanced Vehicle Technologies, Inc. announces its latest J1850 compatible product. The AVT-715 is a Dual J1850 Interface (VPW and PWM) designed to allow a PC type computer to be connected to and communicate with a J1850 bus equipped automobile.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1850 is a two part standard for an in-vehicle multiplex bus. J1850 buses are designed to allow the various sensors, actuators, and controllers found in today’s automobiles to communicate. Additionally, external test equipment can access the bus for diagnostics and other maintenance purposes. The standard has been specified in a number of Federal and State regulations (sometimes referred to as OBD-II for On-Board Diagnostics, phase 2). Automobile manufacturers have begun implementing the standard in many model year 1996 vehicles and its use will increase in succeeding years.

The J1850 standard is an open specification, unlike the proprietary methods car manufacturers have used previously. However, system designers and manufacturers have been given considerable leeway in adopting and implementing the standard. A J1850 compliant multiplex bus may exist in either of two incompatible forms: VPW (Variable Pulse Width modulation) with an average bit rate of 10.4 kbps or PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) with an average bit rate of 41.6 kbps.

The AVT-715 addresses this issue by providing both a VPW and a PWM interface on one board. Functionally, the AVT-715 acts as a protocol translator and message buffer between a controlling PC and the vehicle J1850 bus. Communications between the AVT-715 and the controlling PC is via either an RS-232 or an RS-422 serial link (jumper selected). The serial data rate is jumper selected among four baud rates (9.6, 19.2, 38.4, and 57.6 kbps).

The AVT-715 is being offered as a ready-to-use package or as an OEM module. The ready-to-use package includes the AVT-715 Dual J1850 Interface board housed in a rugged polycarbonate enclosure, a serial interface cable, an OBD-II cable assembly (compatible with any model year 1996 and later vehicle), MS-Windows 3.1x controller software, and a User’s Manual. The OEM module consists of the AVT-715 Dual J1850 Interface board and the User’s Manual (with programmer’s information).

The AVT-715 Dual J1850 Interface (VPW and PWM) ready-to-use package will be available in early June 1996. The OEM module will be available in late May 1996. Questions and requests for additional information can be directed to Michael Riley.


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