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I am intending to develop an Android app which will be a port of the new software that I'm working on. I looked at a couple of ways of interfacing to Android and was developing an Android Accessory using the Microchip development package however FTDI have now released a version of the D2XX driver for the FT232R which allows an Android device to be used as a USB host without needing to hack the OS. The new interface that I'm working on utilises a MIcrochip controller and will have SDL, KWP and CANBus interfaces, it will be possible to use a Y-cable to allow an unused port to output the data converted to OBD2 format. An ELM, or similar tool, could then be used with Torque to display basic data and read/clear fault codes.

To get the interface to a production standard I had to choose a J1962 connector and then design a PCB to fit. The connector has to be trimmed so the USB connector will fit but its much quicker than stripping and soldering a USB cable, particularly as the J1962 connectors are designed to take a much thicker cable. I couldn't find anyone that would supply the USB cables with one end stripped and tinned without having to pay a lot more that for a standard cable so the cost of the PCB mounted USB connector isn't significant. The PCBs I buy in quantities of 96 because that is the optimum number for the panel size that my supplier uses, that means that I have to buy the connectors in quantities of 100 so I don't get left with unusable PCBs if the connector design gets changed or withdrawn.



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1984 Suzuki SJ413K pick up, 1.6 16V Baleno engine
2000 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 8V, many mods
2004 Suzuki Ignis 1.5VVT 4Grip
2006 Suzuki Jimny 1.3VVT JLX+
and many more.
spadival


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FTDI's driver API looked complicated to me.. So I used this  https://github.com/ksksue/FTDriver, since my requirement did not need CTS/DTR etc. Since this driver is under Apache license, you can still keep your development closed source.

I have a few more q's re PCBs. I will talk to you over private message. 



-- Edited by spadival on Thursday 25th of April 2013 01:25:12 PM

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spadival


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Close enough.. I moved to Australia to work. I can still see some old, but well-maintained Balenos here in Sydney, but I drive a Hyundai now :) . 

Congratulations on your new job. And a suggestion: Why don't you develop an Android app as well? There are quite a number of Android phones/tablets that now support USB On-The-Go (OTG) host mode operation. There are open source, user space drivers for FTDI chip (which I presume you use in the Rhinopower dongle) that can be packaged with the app and it is pretty straightforward plug-and-play. FTDI also have a new chip FT312D/FT311D, a USB host that facilitate UART comms with Android devices that do not support OTG. 

I have a somewhat similar project ongoing.. a h/w dongle + app to allow iPhone/iPod analog audio accessories such as speaker/clock radio docks and car audio systems to interface over UART with/control an Android phone/tablet. I have managed to get this working with both FT232RL and Prolific's PL2303HX chip. If you don't mind, I would like to pick your brains over how you managed to productionize the Rhinopower dongle. They look good and well built :)



-- Edited by spadival on Thursday 25th of April 2013 04:03:03 AM

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Hi, yes I remember you, you had a Baleno in India(?), if I remember correctly you went to the US to study. Where are you living now? Things have moved on a lot since then and there is more to come as well, I'm working on a new tool which will support the OBD1 models from 2001 onwards, there will be a new software package too . meanwhile I've moved on from my old job and now I design ECUs for an OEM.

 



__________________

1984 Suzuki SJ413K pick up, 1.6 16V Baleno engine
2000 Suzuki Vitara 1.6 8V, many mods
2004 Suzuki Ignis 1.5VVT 4Grip
2006 Suzuki Jimny 1.3VVT JLX+
and many more.
spadival


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Though I don't own a Suzuki vehicle now, just dropped in to say Hi to Rhinoman. Boy, have you come a long way from the early days!!

Keep it up.

Cheers,

S Padival.



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