The continued requirement for improved systems requires improved methods of acquiring and displaying vehicle information.
This paper outlines a new approach to vehicle instruments by using a Vehicle Data Concentrator (VDC) to combine measurement functions. Reduced wiring and component count is achieved by use of a remote display or an Electro-Mechanical Instrument Panel System (EMIPS).
Techniques used include active measurement of sensor parameters in diagnostics, application independent display routines to minimize custom design and promote flexibility, and use of SAE J-1708 Data Link to optimize measurement and display functions.
