The CAR-diac is a scan tool that reads diagnostic codes and real-time data from vehicles. It diagnoses check engine lights, displays operating data, and logs information. It communicates with a vehicle's Engine Control Unit via OBD-II to receive encoded data. Benefits include saving money on mechanic visits and monitoring driving habits. It is powered by an ARM Cortex-M3 microcontroller and interfaces with vehicles via an OBD-II to UART board through the diagnostic port.

1. CAR-diac™
matt quantz t

2. CAR-diac™
C omprehensive
A utomobile
R eal-Time and
D iagnostic
I nformation
A cquisition
C ontroller

3. Elevator Pitch (I Always Use The Stairs)
The CAR-diac™ is a comprehensive scan tool that reads malfunction
and diagnostic codes in addition to run-time data from RPMs to
MPGs. It will save you money at the mechanic and at the fuel pump.
Ensure your kids are driving responsibly. It makes the perfect for
dads and grads, so don’t wait! Get YOURS Today!

4. What Does It Do?
CAR-diac™:
• diagnoses check engine (MIL) lights
• displays real-time operating data
• provides hands-free voice feedback
• logs critical data

5. How Does It Work?
• Communicates with the Engine Control Unit (ECU) via the
OBD-II protocol
• Sends Parameter ID codes (PIDs) and AT commands
• Receives encoded data
• The PID data is decoded and processed

6. Why Buy?
• Save trips to your mechanic/dealer
• Monitor your driving habits
• Accurately tune your car
• Spy on your kids
• Reconstruct traffic accidents
• Because you don’t own enough gadgets

7. Show Me The Brain!
mbed NXP LPC1768 ARM Cortex-M3
Fcpu: 96 MHz, 512 kB FLASH,
32 kB RAM, Max Current
Drawn: 120 mA
Peripherals:
Ethernet, USB Host, USB Device, SPI, I2C, CAN, Analog
In/Out, PWM Out

8. Show Me The Body!
LCD (Upgraded to 20x4) Ethernet
Audio Out VGA
BUZZER
SD Card EEPROM
JTAG
RS-232
PS/2
NGX mX Baseboard

9. Show Me The Mouth!
SpeakJet TTS256
Voice And Complex Sound Synthesizer IC Letter to Sound Translation IC

10. Show Me The Eyes!
Honeywell HMC6352
Digital Compass:
• I2C interface
• 20 Hz update

11. Show Me The GUTS!
SparkFun’s OBD-II
To UART Board
Utilizes STN1110 OBD to
UART interpreter

12. Show Me The GUTS!
DB-9 Connector mates with
DB-9 to OBD-II Cable
TTL UART Interface to
Microcontroller

13. Show Me The GUTS!
Supports all legislated
OBD-II protocols
Can power itself and the
system from the car battery

14. Find Me On The Internet
I'm There

15. Reflections
• Interesting project
• Learned a lot about ECUs and the sensor data they collect
• Revealed an unknown method of commercializing ideas
• SVN is a necessity, not a luxury
• Need remote programming interface
• Need off-line compiler
• Need more time in a day

16. Questions?
Image of full-scale wire frame replica Countach courtesy of the artist, Benedict Radcliffe. Used without permission. Same for the following picture of Pizza the Hutt.

17. Let’s Eat Some Pizza!