OpenPort 1.2 FAQ

User topics relating to hardware that interfaces PCs to ECUs

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OpenPort 1.2 FAQ

Postby cboles » Fri Oct 07, 2005 9:42 am

1. What is it?
2. What can I do with it?
3. What cars use ISO 9141-2?
4. What Subarus can be reflashed with the OpenPort and openecu's EcuFlash?
5. How do I access the hardware from my PC?
6. How do I communicate with the OpenPort from my own software?
7. What software is known to work with the OpenPort?
8. How do the OpenPort K/L/Vpp lines relate to the virtual serial port on the PC?
9. What are the technical features of the device


1. What is it?

The OpenPort 1.2 is an interface between your computer and car engine computers (ECUs) that use a ISO 9141-2 compatible OBDII interface.

2 What can I do with it?

That depends on your car and the software available. You can communicate with any car that has an ISO 9141-2 type OBD interface. What these communications allow you to do depends on the capabilities of the car, what is known about the communication protocols it supports, and what software is available to utilize these features. Openecu.org's efforts so far have been focused on datalogging and reflashing of newer Subaru vehicles.

3. What cars use ISO 9141-2?

Most all post-1996 Chrysler, European, and Asian vehicles.

4. What Subarus can be reflashed with the OpenPort and openecu's EcuFlash?

United States
2002-2005 WRX
2004-2005 STi (no software yet)
Europe
1999-2003 WRX/STi
Japan
1999-2003 WRX/STi
World
1999-2003 WRX/STi

5. How do I access the hardware from my PC?

The OpenPort uses a FTDI232BM USB to serial interface chip internally which has drivers for Windows, OS X, and linux to allow the device to appear as a normal COM port on your computer. This means that the OpenPort is compatible with (link)many pieces of software which already use RS-232 based ISO 9141-2 interfaces.

6. How do I communicate with the OpenPort from my own software?

Communication is no different than any RS-232 serial device. All that you need to do is open the OpenPort's virtual COM port, choose the appropriate baud rate for your application, and begin to send and receive bytes. openecu.org is a great resource for sample code which works with the OpenPort.

7. What software is known to work with the OpenPort?

ecuflash (openecu.org SUbaru reflashing tool)
tari (logging)
deltadash (logging)
cobb streettuner (for logging / realtime)

8. How do the OpenPort K/L/Vpp lines relate to the virtual serial port on the PC?

* The K line is interfaced to the serial TX/RX lines
* The L line is interfaced to the serial DTR/DSR lines
* The 12V regulated Vpp line is turned on an off by RTS

9. What are the technical features of the device?


OBD interface: J1962 male connector using the following pins
4: Ground
5: Ground
7: ISO 9141-2 K line
9: L line (Subaru specific)
11: Vpp (Subaru specific - switched off when not in use)
15: ISO 9141-2 L line
16: +12V

PC interface: USB 2.0 compatible full speed device (12Mb/s)
speed: 182 baud to 1M baud over ISO 9141-2 K line using FTDI VCP driver. Control down to DC possible with FTDI ftd2xx driver.
cable length: 1.7m
weight: 90g
cboles
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