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ABOUT
Below is a short description of the board:
This project is an experimental hardware tool designed for development, testing and educational purposes around Digifant 1 ECUs. It allows emulation of EEPROM content and enables extended interaction with ECU data.
The device was created primarily as a personal engineering tool and is shared with the community for research, testing and advanced diagnostics.
The tool can be used to emulate EEPROM content and provide data feedback via Bluetooth. Compatibility is limited to Digifant 1 (G60) ECU and it has been confirmed to work with some Vanagon Westfalia vehicles. It should be able to emulate any 27256 EEPROM chip but was designed to fit inside Digifant 1 ECUs and tested only on those ECUs.
This board can permanently replace the old EEPROM chip and does not require an external power source. It allows emulating any Digifant 1 EEPROM binary image and enables data feedback for all non-customized EEPROM images. While it works for most customized and tuned EEPROM images, there is no 100% guarantee for compatibility.
One of the key features is the ability to transfer data over Bluetooth:
- Uploading and reading the currently emulated EEPROM image
- Receiving Digifant 1 data feedback
Because it uses Bluetooth and does not require an external power source, it can operate without a PC connection to emulate the program. It allows uploading any binary (with modifications, if needed) and disconnect the PC at any time. The board will continue to emulate the program even after restarting the engine. The uploaded image is stored in the board's permanent memory across three different banks, and emulation starts automatically whenever the ignition is turned on. It behaves like a standard EEPROM chip, but with the added ability to update the EEPROM image at any time using the Bluetooth interface. Additionally, the board can enable Digifant data feedback.
Availability
This is not a mass-produced commercial product. The project is developed in a limited scope.
If you are interested in using this tool for testing or development, feel free to get in touch.
Disclaimer
This tool is provided for experimental and development purposes only.
Using this tool requires technical knowledge. The author takes no responsibility for any damage or issues resulting from improper use, installation or modification.
By using this tool, you agree that you do so at your own risk.
Data Feedback
This board can be used to receive data from the ECU Check this
YouTube video for more details.
Currently, it fully supports TunerPro. It allows connecting the board to TunerPro and, with the appropriate ADX
files, receive and decode data from the ECU. All necessary ADX and XDF files, along with some ready and tested
Digifant 1 binaries, are available on this site (see the Download section).
Benefits of Data Feedback
It allows access to raw sensor readings, which help identify issues such as faulty lambda sensors, knock sensors, or temperature sensors.
As many Digifant 1 users know, diagnosing engine issues can be challenging due to the lack of a proper diagnostic interface, apart from basic blink codes.
This board simplifies troubleshooting for DF1 users.
Additionally, monitor ECU conditions, such as whether it is in WOT (Wide Open Throttle) mode or if knock detonation has been detected.
Personally, I used this feature as a foundation for tuning my car. It is also possible to view the current injection time, timing advance, and more.
Check the ADX file for further details.
Another valuable feature is hit data tracing with TunerPro. With the board and the provided ADX and XDF files, it's possible to track events on specific maps
(e.g., FUEL, IGNITION). For instance, it is possible to identify where knock detonation occurred, modify the ignition map to prevent it, or analyze the fuel mixture
at specific points (RPM vs. MAP reading) and adjust the fuel map accordingly.
Furthermore, it is possible to connect a wideband sensor output to the DF1 ECU, enabling monitoring of the fuel mixture across a wide range and
fine-tune fuel maps as needed. This makes it possible to determine the fuel mixture at specific RPM and engine load (MAP) conditions.
EEPROM Emulation
The benefits of emulation are straightforward: there is no need for an old-fashioned EEPROM programmer, which can be quite expensive.
The most significant advantage is the ability to update or reprogram the emulated EEPROM image at any time by connecting a PC to the board.
It makes it possible to use three different banks as backups or alternative programs for emulation.
Opening the ECU, removing the EEPROM chip, reprogramming it, and reassembling everything is time-consuming. This board eliminates that hassle.
Tuning
With this board, TunerPro, and the provided XDF definition you can edit and adapt the Digifant 1 program to suit your needs. The TunerPro definition file (XDF) includes information about the most critical maps and vectors in the Digifant 1 program:
- Ignition map
- Fuel map
- Rev limiter
Additionally, it provides a wealth of other information to assist with tuning.
ALDLdroid Support
Since 14.02.2021, EMUBT has supported ALDLdroid, an Android app for displaying ECU data. Check here for more details.
To enable this feature, download the emubt.hex file version V2.5.4_1402202 or higher.
You will also need the ADX file for ALDLdroid. Once ALDLdroid is installed on your mobile device, place the ADX file in:
Android/data/com.sgiroux.aldldroid/files/adx/.