9.
Using Advanced Features
There are several advanced features on the Cycle Analyst, but making
use of these requires soldering to the circuit board. Incorrect wiring
can easily damage the unit and it is only recommended for those who
are familiar and comfortable with electronics.
9.1
Using the Data Output (V2.1 and beyond)
The pad labeled “
Tx
” contains a serial data stream with the current
stats of the vehicle. The format is tab-deliminated ASCII text at a 9600
baud rate. After power-up, the CA outputs a header line, and then at a
rate of once a second or 5 times a second (see section 8.15) it
transmits the amp-hours, voltage, amperage, speed, and distance as
shown here:
Ah
V
A
S
D3
3.296
47.62
10.04
15.32
8.9132
3.299
47.49
13.22
16.41
8.9175
3.302
47.43
13.45
17.30
8.9220
3.306
47.85
6.02
17.52
8.9268
3.308
49.36
-1.43
17.17
8.9317
3.307
49.55
-3.69
16.05
8.9365
: : : : :
The data is at 0-5V CMOS voltage levels, making it easy to interface
directly to other microcontrollers. In order to log the data to a regular
computer or laptop, it is necessary to either level shift the signal to be
compatible with RS-232 voltages and run it to the computer serial port,
or process the signal and connect it via USB, IrDA, BlueTooth, or other
standard.
For running into a computer serial port, a MAX232 or a similar RS-232
driver chip can be powered from the
5V
* and
G
pads. The resulting
datastream can be seen and saved with HyperTerminal or other
terminal software. The following diagram shows a typical setup:
18
V+ G G Tx Vi 5V*
(CA PCB)
C1+
C1-
C2+
C2-
Vs+
Vs-
Vcc
T1in
T1out
1
3
4
2
5
6
11
14
15
16
MAX232
2
5
Serial port on PC