The Telematics Control Unit (TCU) development platform provided by SanCloud is a reference design based around the AM335x architecture. The SanTrack cloud platform provides data collection, processing, visualisation and device management services. The open source Thingsboard project can be used as an alternative cloud platform to provide the same services.
As a TCU is responsible for collecting and processing data for sending to a remote service the use of a low cost and low power SoC is a good choice.
Hardware Components
SanCloud BeagleBone® Enhanced Industrial/Extended (Depending on functionality required)
SanCloud Automotive Cape (V4.3)
The current design incorporates the following features:
- LTE-Cat1 Global modem
- Global GPS/GNSS (u-blox MAX-M8Q)
- Super Cap backed RTC
- Accelerometer
- Gyro
- CAN x 2
- RS485 (Using CAN2 channel)
- Analogue Inputs x 2
- Ignition input
- Bi Directional port x 1
- Gigabit Ethernet
- IP67 enclosure with 12pin DEUTSCH DTM06-12SA (Grey) connector
- Active GPS antenna support
- Debug/Status LED's x 6
- 6-60 V DC
Optional addition of dual band WiFi (2.4GHz & 5GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0/BLE by using SanCloud BeagleBone® Enhanced Extended board.
There is also the ability to have a USB expansion port.
Optional support for Micron Authenta via SPI-NOR.
The processor (AM335x) has the following architecture:
The platform is currently supported by the AGL build system and an earlier variant was used during demonstrations at CES using the telematics profile.
Software Components
TCU Software
The TCU software image will be based on the AGL Telematics Profile. The agl-telematics-demo-recorder app will be used to collect telematics data and send it to a SanTrack or Thingsboard instance for storage and analysis.
Reference Design Storyboard
This story board walks the evaluator through the expected experience when operating the reference design. It also acts as a story for delivering the demonstration to evaluators for live or recorded events.
Device Commissioning and Provisioning
How the device will be up and running with local network, AGL telematics stack starts gathering data from vehicle and provisioning to the cloud;
Device throughput for local operation
Data can be streamed locally to an MQTT agent for investigation and parsing if required.
Cloud operator experience
Once TCU is configured and operating properly, SanTrack or other cloud dashboard will show in a dashboard selected data coming from the TCU at the configured refresh rate.
Configuring tune-able parameters
From the web console will be possible to tune the property on the TCU running JamaicaCAR. e.g. Change the data acquisition rate from 10 seconds to 5 seconds
Operating without connectivity (recorder)
When the TCU is offline data is cached locally and will be transmitted to the cloud service once data connection is resumed.