ES-Key Pro - Vehicle Multiplexing Software Case Study
Saturn has completed development of a desktop application used to configure the Class1 ES-KeyT Management System - an on-board network of electrical, lighting, and hydraulic control devices for ground vehicles.
The target vehicles have been designed and built around a CANBus network containing a variable number of nodes that, to simplify, control inputs (e.g. switches) and outputs (e.g. power). Each network also contains a master controller node that implements the configuration created using the software. The power of the software and the master controller lies in the ability to control the state of any output by designing a logical equation based on other inputs and outputs in the system. For example, activating a fire engine pump may require the pump switch to be turned on, but may also require the engine to be at high idle and the parking brake to be set. This is a simple example, however the logic equations are infinitely extensible and allow any number of sub-equations needed to properly represent the desired logic. The end result of this is that using a network of simple devices eliminates a complex or even impossible wiring harness.
Saturn Systems developed the ES-Key software using Borland C++ Builder and advanced object-oriented principles, without which the logic management interface would not have been feasible. Saturn continues to support and enhance this product. For detailed information on the ES-Key systems and its uses, visit the ES-Key web site at
www.es-key.com.
