4 x CAN + GPS/Temperature/Analog Data in Trucks [WiFi to S3]
Case Studies / ClearFlame
ClearFlame
ClearFlame's technology is transforming heavy-duty diesel engines to run cleaner, and more cost-effectively, on 100% renewable, plant-based fuels.
What problem did you solve?
We wanted the ability to log CAN data from all our vehicle CAN networks (Primarily International LT trucks), while also logging instrumentation data using the same data acquisition system.
How did you solve it?
In each truck, we deploy two CANedge2 devices (one with internal GPS, one without) to log 4 x CAN channels in total. In addition, we use several CANmod.temp and CANmod.input devices (daisy chained) to provide CAN based thermocouple and analog sensor data to be logged by the CANedge devices. The full bundle is installed in a customized enclosure we build. The data is processed using Python and loaded into an InfluxDB database, which is accessed via Grafana for data visualization and analysis.
[CSS: ClearFlame's use case was prior to the release of the CANedge3, CANmod.router and Grafana-Athena, which may simplify their future deployments - more details below].
"The CANedge/CANmod are easy to configure and work right out of the box - and CSS has good documentation on device installation, configuration and usage!"
What benefit has this led to?
The solution enables us to log all our CAN data directly, then perform all post processing subsequently - which saves time from a logger configuration standpoint. Further, we can now collect all data via a single logging system. In addition, the logging system consumes very limited power, allowing us to run the system directly off of the vehicle 12V battery.
Why did you choose the CANedge/CANmod?
We previously used a DeweSoft system with a PC that sent the CAN data via modem to a folder. It worked, but was not ideal for our use case. During the covid part shortage, we discovered CSS Electronics. We decided to try out the CANedge/CANmod due to the cost in particular, as we found this very low vs. similar alternatives.
— Joey Paquette, Vehicle Integration Senior Engineer
Comments by CSS Electronics
ClearFlame's use of the CANedge/CANmod illustrate a creative use of the modular flexibility of the devices, in particular making use of the CANmod's ability to be easily daisy chained.
However, the use case is also a great example of why we introduced the CANedge3 (with LTE) as it eliminates the need for a separate WiFi router. Further, the release of our CANmod.router now enables a single CANedge to log 5 x CAN (or beyond) - eliminating the need for multiple CANedge devices as in this use case. Finally, Grafana-Athena is today our recommended method for dashboard integration - and it natively supports 'demuxing' data from the CANmod.router. These innovations drastically reduce costs, simplify post processing - and ensure perfect time synchronization across all CAN buses. In the illustration you can see how this use case may be simplified via these tools for future deployments.
Future ClearFlame deployments may leverage the CANedge3 and CANmod.router to
simplify
installation and post processing
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