The Venator universal dashboard is a software and hardware system that duplicates the indications of a standard dashboard and displays it graphically on the CAR PC display. The system works on the Windows operating system or on any devices equipped with the Android system.
Venator Features
The dashboard is equipped with a data acquisition unit that does not use the K-line, CAN, OBD and the like protocols in its work, which distinguishes the system from similar ones. Regular sensors are connected directly to the system unit, which sends them requests every 50 ms, then sends the received data to the visualization program. Independent polling of sensors increases the frequency of requests and allows you to install the Venator dashboard on cars that are not equipped with ECUs. The system includes a Venator PSU data acquisition and processing unit, software and display devices - an Android mobile device or a Windows computer.
Software
The dashboard runs on the Adobe AIR platform, which ensures high quality graphics and synchronization with the Android and Windows platforms. Active user interface elements have several design styles, and the ability to use custom backgrounds is also available. The processed data is transmitted via USB, Enternet, Wi-Fi, COM interfaces almost simultaneously, which allows you to run the program on several devices and receive all data from one processing unit.
Venator Dashboard Features
What are they? So, the functionality of the universal dashboard:
- indication of speed;
- indication of engine speed and red and green zone signals (adjustable function);
- odometer - the initial mileage is set by the user;
- daily odometer with resetting readings;
- service mileage countdown counter, configurable by the car owner;
- voltage indicator of the vehicle electrical system;
- engine temperature sensor;
- fuel level sensor;
- warning lights;
- clock;
- five types of user interface design;
- day and night mode of operation of each type of design, switching between which is carried out by dimensions;
- Four styles of design arrows.
Developers and Features Venator
The creator of the universal Venator dashboard is the IT specialist at Skolkovo University Alexei Poltavtsev. Visualization of data received from vehicle sensors is carried out thanks to a system of virtual instruments. The dashboard runs on the Adobe AIR platform and can function with ordinary cars as well as with electric vehicles, monitoring the battery charge and voltage, engine speed.
The system includes a host computer, a microprocessor-based data acquisition unit, and software. The sensors and sensors of the vehicle are connected to the data acquisition unit. The analog signals received by the data acquisition unit are converted to digital and transmitted to the host computer via a digital interface. Information from the sensors is requested at a frequency of 5 to 20 Hz. The sequence of digital values is visualized by the software in the form of animated virtual instruments.
The Venator dashboard duplicates the standard car dashboard and does not use the K-line, CAN, OBD and similar protocols in its work, which differs from similar systems. Vehicle sensors are connected directly to the system unit. Information from them is requested every 50 ms and transmitted to the visualization program. Increasing the frequency at which the sensors are interrogated allows you to install the system on vehicles that are not equipped with ECUs.
The data acquisition unit has two frequency inputs, 10 binary inputs, 16 analog inputs, some of which can operate in binary mode. A manual calibration function for analog inputs is available, for example, non-linearity of a temperature sensor or calibration of a fuel level sensor.
Thanks to the use of the Adobe AIR platform, the dashboard is compatible with the Android and Windows operating systems. Several styles of user interface design, the ability to download and use custom backgrounds are also available.
Venator PSU
For those who do not have the opportunity to purchase the Venator dashboard, the manufacturer offers a special kit for installing the Venator PSU. The basic equipment includes a housing, power supply, Arduino Mega, LAN and Wi-Fi modules. The user can familiarize themselves with the mock platform, which allows you to make certain changes, depending on the wishes of the owner. The layout is connected to the six-pin Mini-Fit connector and the fifteen-pin D-sub connector, through which additional devices and sensors are connected. For example, an accelerometer can be connected to the D-Sub to display the roll of the vehicle.
You can install a light level sensor on the board to change the brightness of the car's lighting fixtures or conduct a wiring of the thermocouple amplifier to measure the temperature of the exhaust gases. This is especially true when operating tuned vehicles. It is also possible to connect sensors not provided by the car manufacturer - fuel, temperature, pressure and others.
Venator turbo kit
Together with the dashboard, manufacturers released a special tuning instrument panel Turbo Watcher. The system has passed all the necessary tests and is aimed at car owners who carry out turbo tuning of their own vehicles and do not want to resort to replacing the dashboard, but plan to install additional devices in the interior. All data from the installed sensors are transmitted to the display of the built-in tablet on the Android or CarPC operating system.
The temperature of the transmission oil is displayed digitally on the screen. The perimeter of the display is highlighted in red when the engine detonates, it is provided that the peak knowledge of the temperature of the exhaust gases and boost is maintained.
The Venator dashboard is a domestic development and was offered by the creators free of charge. Unfortunately, the distribution of the system has recently been discontinued, but, according to the owners who managed to purchase and install it, we can safely talk about its functionality and benefits.