Advanced Vehicle Technologies, Inc. has introduced a development platform for automotive based networks. Available immediately, the AVT-1850 is a J1850 compliant system for IBM PC’s and compatibles.

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1850 is a two part standard for an in-vehicle multiplex bus. J1850 buses are designed to allow the sensors, actuators, and controllers to communicate. Additionally, external test equipment can access the bus for diagnostics and other maintenance purposes.

The J1850 standard is an open specification, unlike the proprietary methods car manufacturers have used. It has now been specified in a number of Federal and State regulations. Economics and the law will result in the adoption of J1850 by all the major auto companies.

To support the J1850 bus a new breed of ‘smart’ vehicle sensors and actuators will be created using embedded microcontrollers. These new sensors (e.g. temperature, pressure, speed, torque, etc.) and actuators (locks, windows, engine controls, etc.) will communicate via the bus.

The AVT-1850 reduces the risk of developing J1850 compatible nodes. Designed to be used with a PC, this board and software package gives a developer immediate access to the target hardware and interfaces. The engineer has a fully functional development platform on which to design, implement, and debug network components.

The AVT-1850 Development System includes an ISA compatible board and software. The board contains a microcontroller dedicated to the bus interface along with on-board memory. The software includes a development/analysis environment (known as EOS), board level diagnostics, and sample J1850 node and bus monitor programs. The AVT-1850 utilizes the same microcontroller that would be used in the production nodes. By using the Harris HIP7xxx family, the AVT-1850 board further reduces risk since these devices are in current production. Once the development phase is completed, using the AVT-1850, the controller software can move immediately to mask ROM for low cost, volume production of the embedded microcontrollers. The AVT-1850 development system can then be used to test, analyze, and monitor the performance of the bus.

The AVT-1850 Development System is available for immediate delivery. Questions or requests for additional information can be directed to Michael Riley.