Messenger

What will it do for me?

The Messenger provides engine and operator performance information to allow owners/operators to:

• Reduce downtime by knowing when equipment needs maintenance BEFORE an event happens
• Reduce fuel usage by knowing the sweet spot to operate your equipment, of if you already know it, to make sure it is where the equipment is operated.
• Increase operator efficiency by reducing idle time and increased equipment up time
• Increase resale value by maintaining equipment to a higher standard - know about faults before they occur
• Eliminate theft by knowing where your equipment is at all times and when it moves out of your defined fences
• Perform maintenance on your schedule by exact reporting of engine hours, both idling and working, you can perform your maintenance on schedule. Or use the engine load values and switch to maintenance based on accumulated engine load.
• Reduce wear and tear by setting operating limits and know when they are being violated
• Create employee incentives by knowing who follows company policies the best
• Better fleet and unit reporting allows managers to quickly compare and detail individual pieces of equipment or entire fleets. Click here to see reports created from Messenger data.

Overview

Each Messenger monitors and computes values from CANbus(J1939), OBD-CAN PGNs or J1708/1587 PIDs. When user-defined operating conditions are violated, like receipt of an engine diagnostic message, information is immediately sent to internet-based applications like Antx Tracking or other third-party solutions.

When housed in the Deutsch weatherproof enclosure, the Messenger connects to the ECU through a single cable with the standard 9-pin or 6-pin Deutsch J1939, J1708 or OBD connector. The dual GPS/GSM antenna connects to the two keyed connectors on the Messenger.

Communication to the internet-based applications is via UDP or TCP over the GSM network. CDMA and Satellite communication are also available.

Designed for the Future

Since it is inevitable that newer and faster wireless networks will become prevalent, the Messenger was designed as a two-board integrated product. One board handles all wireless communication, so networks like EDGE, EV-DO or UMTS can be supported by simply changing out the GSM board and inserting the appropriate network board.

How the Messenger Works

The Messenger continually monitors pre-defined values read from the engine, performs computations and limit comparisons on those values. These processed values are sent to an internet-based application based on a timed interval or when various conditions or limits violations occur.

The information sent to the internet includes the unit identification, GPS location, date/time, processed values based on PGN parameters of interest, computed values, remote unit status, etc.

Capabilities that provide real benefit

The Messenger is designed to provide a highly robust and configurable platform for unique applications. The powerful 32-bit processor, real-time operating system, FLASH and SRAM on the Messenger allow for:

• Virtual real-time transfer or monitored conditions
• Local computations and evaluations from monitored conditions
• User-specified PGNs to be monitored
• Event and data logging
• Exception-based reporting to internet-based applications
• Over-the-air tunneling into the Messenger or other OEM equipment attached to the Messenger for remote diagnostics or re-configuration
• Reprogram a single unit or 1000s of units automatically via FTP
• Automatic firmware upgrades via FTP
• Event log and current configuration upload via FTP
• SMS messaging to change configuration or request monitored values
• Notifications based on time, events or computations from data
• Very low power mode based on RPM limit or other conditions
• Over-the-air re-flashing of the Messenger application - add new capabilites to the Messenger without having to visit it!

Some Conditions Monitored

• non-CANbus conditions
• GPS coordinates for location and geo-fencing
• General purpose closure-to-ground input
• Analog input for fuel level or other sender
• Geofencing from up to 100 independent geofences
• CANbus, CAN-OBD or J1708/1587 parameters from 1 or more ECUs
• Engine hours (Total, daily idle and daily running)
• RPM
• Battery voltage (switched and unswitched)
• Oil pressure, temperature and level
• Fuel level
• Fuel usage rate
• Coolant level and temperature
• Odometer
• Throttle and accelerator position
• Instantaneous and Average fuel economy per engine start
• Hard acceleration and braking
• Air filter differential pressure
• PTO active
• Fan speed
• Transmission oil temperature
• All diagnostic messages reported via DM1 (J1939) or trouble codes (J1708/1587)
• Fault conditions reported through TPCM (J1939)
• User-defined PGN/FMI (J1939) or PID (J1708/1587) values
• OEM-specific parameters
• Computed values reported daily, including:
• Fuel usage (Daily idle usage and daily running usage)
• Idle time-limit exceeded (Idle time and fuel used)
• Fuel used while PTO active
• Total time PTO active
• Maximum and Minimum RPM
• Maximum and Minimum Oil pressure, temperature and level
• Maximum and Minimum Coolant level and temperature
• Time, fuel used and distance travelled in RPM ranges
• Time, fuel used and distance travelled in Speed ranges
• Fuel used in Engine Load ranges
• Fuel used in Engine Torque ranges
• Total fuel used daily
• Generator set-specific parameters (each phase and between phases)
• AC RMS voltages
• AC RMS current
• Reactive Power
• Power Factor
• Real Power
• Apparent Power
• Control and Auto-start mode
• AC Frequency

Specifications

• 3.25" x 3.95"
• CAN controller
• Supports protocol version 2.0 part A and B/Active
• Supports OBD-II CAN
• Rates up to 1.25Mbit/second
• Serial ports
• RS232/RS485
• Support SAE J1708/1587 protocol
• PPP connection
• Support Modbus Slave protocol
• External CDMA or Satellite modems
• Support for Hand-held fleet management devices
• Support OEM-specific communication
• Battery backed up Real-Time Clock, programming, event log and data log
• GSM-GPRS with SIM card holder embedded on Messenger
• Geofences
• 100 rectangular
• independent
• Certifications
• FCC, PTCRB and ATT approvals for GSM/GPRS end-user applications
• Operating vibration: exceeds SAE J1455 vibration levels
• Operating shock: exceeds SAE J1455 shock levels
• Enclosure: exceeds IP65/NEMA 4X
• RoHS compliant
• Wireless communication
• GSM/GPRS - UDP or TCP
• CDMA
• Satellite via serial port
• Extreme low power mode
• FLASH memory for application
• up to 512K
• downloadable via serial port or over-the-air connection
• Low-low power SRAM
• up to 512K
• battery backed
• DIP switches to select:
• Serial port function - J1708, Debug, Modbus, Other
• Serial port interface - RS232 or RS485
• Modbus Slave ID
• Baud rate
• Event logger
• Last 500 significant events
• Accessible over-the-air
• Accessible locally via serial port
• LEDs
• Power modes - off, low, full
• Cellular status and signal strength
• GPS status
• CAN or J1708/1587 status
• Serial port status
• OEM specific
• General purpose inputs
• Up to 3 digital (closure to ground) inputs
• Analog input - voltage, ma or resistive
• SMS capability
• Receive commands for changing configuration
• Receive commands for over-the-air direct communications with internal menuing system
• On-demand reporting of values
• OEM specific
• Physical Characteristics
• Operating power: 8-32VDC
• Sleep mode - less than 6 ma @ 12VDC
• Monitoring mode - 110ma @ 12VDC
• GPRS transmit mode - 600ma peak @ 12VDC
• Industrial temperature range -40 to +85C
• Watertight industrial enclosure