WiCAN Professional and ESPNetLink Unlock Subsequent-Stage DIY Automotive Hacking and Diagnostics

MeatPi Electronics has launched two new merchandise focusing on electronics engineers and automotive fans. WiCAN Professional is a successor to WiCAN-OBD, which guarantees to boost car diagnostics and information log capabilities with expanded OBD-II assist. Moreover, MeatPi is introducing a companion known as ESPNetLink, which provides LTE and GPS connectivity to WiCAN Professional (or different IoT gadgets.) Each merchandise are open-source and can launch quickly on Crowd Provide

WiCAN Professional is a follow-up to the WiCAN-OBD. Each gadgets plug right into a car’s onboard diagnostics (OBD-II) port. These ports are common throughout all cars manufactured after 1996. Essentially the most appreciable distinction between the 2 merchandise is that WiCAN Professional comprises an OBD-II (unspecified) interface IC, which provides it full compatibility with the protocol. In keeping with meetPi, it helps:

• ISO 15765-4 CAN J1962
• SAE J1939 CAN J1962
• ISO 11898 uncooked CAN J1962
• Medium-speed CAN MS-CAN J1962
• GM high-speed J1962
• Single-wire CAN GMLAN J1962
• SAE J1850-PWM
• SAE J1850-VPW
• ISO 9141-2
• ISO 14230-4 sluggish/quick
• ELM327 instruction v2.3
• ELM329 instruction v2.2
• STN instruction
• VT instruction

Each instruments use the identical versatile WiCAN firmware, which is already out there and runs on an ESP32. This firmware can ship MQTT messages concerning the car’s well being, combine with House Assistant, or drive a RealDash show with real-time data. A microSD socket supplies extra flexibility for logging information on to a card when wi-fi connectivity is unavailable.

The unique WiCAN got here in an OBD or CAN-based model. The WiCAN Professional solely has an OBD interface, however one other important distinction from the earlier product is that it’s a host USB port. This port can energy USB gadgets as much as 1.5 amps at 5 volts and permits capabilities like including GPS or cellular-based radios, like with meatPi’s ESPNetLink add-on.

ESPNetLink is an LTE and GPS module designed to connect with IoT gadgets. Mixed with a WiCAN Professional, it supplies a robust car monitoring platform. The ESPNetLink comprises an ESP32-S3 controlling a Low-power Broad-Space community (LPWA) Modem (Quectel BG95) and a Quectel LC76G GNSS module.

The BG95-M5 modem in ESPNetLink helps international mobile connectivity on Cat-M1 and Cat-NB2 bands. Whereas it additionally consists of an built-in World Navigation Satellite tv for pc System (GNSS) module, the BG95 can’t use each the mobile and GNSS radios on the identical time! So, ESPNetLink comprises an LC76G GNSS module that may function concurrently with mobile and hook up with a number of satellite tv for pc constellations concurrently.

GNSS encompasses a number of satellite tv for pc programs. For instance, the LC76G helps GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, and QZSS. It will possibly obtain information from two programs concurrently for improved accuracy and decreased lock-on time. Along with the radio modules, ESPNetLink has inside antennas, making it a simple plug-and-play possibility for including functionality to WiCAN Professional.

WiCAN Professional and ESPNetLink are open-source merchandise. The meetPi Github already hosts the wicam-fw repository. The product creator says they may make the open-source {hardware} documentation out there after the initiatives go reside.

Each merchandise are within the pre-launch stage. To be notified when the pre-sales campaigns go reside, go to the WiCAN Professional or ESPNetLink product pages on Crowd Provide and subscribe to updates.