Data transmission in off-highway vehicles

In its latest newsletter, Microcontrol highlighted that in the world of off-highway vehicles, reliable communication between a vehicle’s various systems is of paramount importance.

Without the transmission of data such as engine speed, fuel consumption, and error codes, unforeseen failures or problems may occur at any time. This is where the J1939 protocol comes into play. As part of the CAN system, the J1939 protocol provides a robust and reliable way to transmit data safely and quickly, said Microcontrol. It is also suited for use in harsh environments. Both its high error correction and transmission rate ensure data being transmitted even in difficult conditions, such as high speed or vibration.

The standardized language for transferring data between different systems also ensures easier integration and interoperability, thus contributing to optimized vehicle performance and monitoring. For this purpose, Microcontrol provides a range of solutions. For example, the company offers its J1939 protocol stack which provides the complete functionality for integration of J1939 into devices. Configuration options facilitate individual customization to a target product. Example codes facilitate the startup phase, enabling the user to focus on the implementation of their own application, explained the company. The open CAN driver (CANpie) provides the flexibility to use any CAN controller available on the market.

J1939 has originally been designed by SAE International to be used in heavy duty vehicles. In the meantime, the protocol has been widely used also in agricultural machinery, rail vehicles and sea vessels as well as in a range of diesel-driven machinery.

cd