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SAE J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator

The SAE J1939 starter kit is a versatile tool that allows you to keep a tab on, simulate, monitor, and record any PGN as laid down in the SAE J1939-71 Standard, which includes diagnostic messages according to SAE J1939-73. We often receive inquiries from users about whether we can process specific parameters like fuel consumption, vehicle speed, and position. The answer is always a yes; however, note that the starter kit was not designed to meet specific engine parameters. You must know which PGN represents the desired data. Additionally, the starter kit was not intended to simulate particular diesel engines. But, if you enter all the PGNs that are being used, you can create and simulate any diesel engine.

For a quick reference, see SAE J1939 Starter Kit & Network Simulator – A Practical Guide to Monitor, Record, Analyze, and Simulate SAE J1939 Data Traffic (PDF)…

Technical Functionality

Our JCOM.J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator is designed to be user-friendly, allowing experienced engineers and beginners to experiment with SAE J1939 data communication without needing to connect to a real-world J1939 network, i.e., a diesel engine. To establish a network, you need at least two nodes. That fact applies especially to CAN/J1939, where the CAN Bus controller will shut down after transmitting data without receiving a response. Therefore, our JCOM.J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator consists of two J1939 nodes, namely our JCOM.J1939.USB, an SAE J1939 ECU Simulator Board with USB Port.

The JCOM.J1939.USB gateway board is a crucial component of our network simulation setup. It is a high-performance, low-latency vehicle network adapter for SAE J1939 applications. The board supports the full SAE J1939 protocol according to J1939/81 Network Management (Address Claiming) and J1939/21 Transport Protocol (TP).


The idea behind the network simulator is to connect both nodes to the same PC (two PCs will do, too) and run two instances of our JCOM1939 Monitor Software after assigning the boards to their corresponding COM port.

Board Components

JCOM1939.USB Board Components

The green LED combines two functions: It will blink at a one-second frequency to indicate that the module is operational (heartbeat). There will be an overlay flashing when the module receives J1939 data frames.

USB Driver Software

The USB driver software supports a variety of operating systems. Most operating systems, such as Windows (up to Windows 10 but not 11) or Linux, will recognize the USB port and install the appropriate driver automatically. However, should that not be the case, please download the driver for your operating system as indicated below:

Windows Software

The communication protocol between the gateway and the host system (PC, Embedded System, Android System, etc.) is well documented, and we provide C/C# source code to read and write CAN data frames.

In addition, the gateway is supported by our jCOM1939 Monitor, an SAE J1939 Monitoring, Analyzer and ECU Simulation software under Windows.

The JCOM1939 Monitor Software is the perfect tool to monitor, analyze, and simulate SAE J1939 data traffic. The system combines our jCOM.J1939.USB that functions as an SAE J1939 to USB (or UART) gateway. A comprehensive and easy-to-use, easy-to-understand Windows software displays not only SAE J1939 data traffic; it also allows to scan the network, simulate an ECU (incl. full node address negotiation features), and respond to data request messages.

General Features:

  • Full SAE J1939 Protocol on chip
  • Virtually OS independent
  • Easily adaptable; just access the COM port
  • Works with PCs, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone, Teensy, Arduino
  • Protocol is well documented
  • C source code available
  • Windows tool: jCOM1939 Monitor
  • Power applied through USB port
  • Operating Range: -40…+85 C
  • Power consumption 0.486W – 0.097A @ 5VDC
    (Average; Changes with CAN Bus load)
  • Board dimensions (W x L ): 52 x 78 ; 2.05″ x 3.07″

Supported SAE J1939 Features Include:

  • Hardware is fully SAE J1939/1x compliant
  • Switchable termination resistor
  • SAE J1939/21 – Data Link Layer
  • SAE J1939/81 – Network Management
  • Setup of Preferred Node Address
  • Adjustable Node Address Negotiation Range
  • Message Filters
  • Full Network Communication Incl. Transport Protocol
  • Design Tx Messages Incl. Transmission Rate
  • Configuration of Request Responses
  • Configuration of Request Messages
  • Network Scanner (Creates a list of all nodes in the network)

Firmware Update

Current Version: V 1.33.00

Resources

SAE J1939 Insights

A Comprehensible Guide to SAE J1939A Comprehensible Guide to J1939 is the first work on J1939 besides the SAE J1939 standards collection. It provides profound information on the J1939 message format and network management combined with a high level of readability.

The information in this book is based on two documents of the SAE J1939 Standards Collection:

  • J1939/21 – Data Link Layer
  • J1939/81 – Network Management

This book is an attempt to create an enjoyable and readable J1939 reference for everybody. The information provided in this book is, besides the SAE J1939 Standards Collection, based on publicly available information such as, but not limited to web sites and printed literature as well as contributions by engineers familiar with Controller Area Network and the J1939 protocol. The information in this book, while based on the J1939 standard, is not a reproduction of any copyrighted SAE document. More Information…

JCOM1939 Monitor Pro - SAE J1939 Data Monitoring, Recording & Simulation

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