JCOM1939 Monitor Pro/Pro-X
Windows Software to Monitor, Record, Analyze, and Simulate SAE J1939 Data Traffic

Copyright © 2020 Copperhill Technologies Corporation
https://copperhilltech.com

Introduction

The JCOM1939 Monitor Software is the perfect tool to monitor, record, analyze, and simulate SAE J1939 data traffic. The system works in combination with our SAE J1939 gateways.
This 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 requests messages.

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.

Features (Pro, Pro-X)

•  FREE download
• ECU Simulation Setup (Preferred Node Address, Negotiable Address Range, NAME, and more)
• Filter J1939 PGNs for Display
• Design J1939 PGNs for Transmission (Data and Request Messages)
• Design J1939 PGNs for Request Responses
• Simulate Digital and Analog Signals
•  Scan a J1939 Network (Number of Nodes, Node IDs, NAMEs)
•  Record SAE J1939 Data Traffic
• Simulate SAE J1939 Data Traffic
• Check Gateway Status (Error Messages, Software/Hardware Version)
• Set Gateway Parameters (Heartbeat Frequency, Message Acknowledgment)
• Free Updates

Extended Features (Pro-X Only

• SAE J1939 Data Display and Recording Includes Timestamp
•  PGN Filter Setup Includes a Sample Frequency
• SAE J1939 Data Recording to Micro SD Card Independent from PC Connection
• Recorded SAE J1939 Data Transfer to PC – In Preparation

The extended features are explained in chapter JCOM1939 Monitor Pro-X – Extensions &Modifications.

SAE J1939 Gateways

The JCOM1939 Monitor software versions work directly with the following SAE J1939 gateways:
JCOM1939 Monitor Pro

•  SAE J1939 ECU Simulator Board with USB Port
•  JCOM.J1939 Starter Kit and Network Simulator
• SAE J1939 to Bluetooth Gateway with 9-Pin Deutsch Connection Cable
•  SAE J1939 to RS232 & USB Gateway with 9-Pin Deutsch Connection Cable

JCOM1939 Monitor Pro-X

• SAE J1939 Gateway Module with USB Port, RTC, MicroSD Memory Card
• SAE J1939 Gateway and Data Logger with Real-Time Clock

Main Screen

When you run the Windows software for the first time, you need to first select the COM port that relates to the J1939 Gateway. In the Windows Device Manager look for and select “Ports (COM & LPT)”. If the driver was installed successfully, you will see “Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge” followed by the COM port associated with it. This is the port you must select in the Windows software. Should the software not show that particular COM port, please try again after rebooting the computer.
Also, it is mandatory that the simulator hardware is connected to a J1939 network. The simulator cannot send or monitor any data without being connected to a network.
The jCOM1939 Monitor software for Windows contains three main areas:

1.  On top, you will find the COM port section where you select the port number associated with your USB port. Click on Start COM to initiate the connection to the J1939 gateway. When the connection is made, you will see the Heartbeat bar changing in a one-second interval. If the heartbeat does not change, please check that you have selected the correct COM port number and that you have a connection with the gateway. If this does not help, try rebooting your computer.
2. The next section is divided through several tabs such as ECU Setup, Filter, Transmit, Network, and Gateway. They are explained in the following chapters.
3. The bottom section shows the SAE J1939 data as it is received or transmitted through the gateway.
   In general, you can save the complete current setup to a file or load an existing file by using the File menu items.

Switching the CAN Baud Rate

The JCOM1939 Monitor program allows the switching of the CAN baud rate between 250k and 500k.
Use the selector in the top right-hand corner of the screen to select the baud rate. The default is 250k.
Please be aware that switching the baud rate requires the program to switch to mere monitoring mode (in case you already acquired a node address).

Data Display

As you can gather from the previous image, the program lists all received PGNs according to the PGN filter settings. The displayed information includes:

• PGN Index
• PGN
•  Source Address – SA
• Destination Address – DA
• Priority
• Message Length
• Data
• Description (assigned in PGN filter settings as described below)

As of Version 3.11.00, the data display has been extended to indicate whether the SAE J1939 data frame has been received or transmitted:

Special Case: Transport Protocol (TP

Please be aware that the displayed priority will be 255 when a data frame of more than 8 bytes was received (TP – Transport Protocol). The Transport Protocol itself uses a Priority = 7 but it does not transmit the priority of the original message.

ECU Setup

If your intention is the mere monitoring of SAE J1939 data traffic, you don’t need to do anything here, but if you want to transmit SAE J1939 data (PGNs), you need to claim a node address.
This section is where you configure an SAE J1939 ECU through parameters such as Preferred Node Address, Negotiable Address Range, and the NAME setup. If you are not sure how to set the parameters, simply go with the default parameters. They are set up to have the ECU operate on the safe side without interfering with your J1939 network.
Don’t forget to click on ECU Simulation Mode and then the Claim Address command button before proceeding.

Filter Messages

The Filter section allows you to filter any PGNs (Parameter Group Numbers) from your network. Simply enter the PGN of your choice and a description (optional), then hit the Save command button. The PGN provided it is part of your J1939 data traffic will show on the data screen below. If you are not sure which PGN to filter, you can also click on the Pass All option. This will give you an overview of all PGNs in the network, and you can choose which one to filter.
In order to modify a specific PGN, simply click on it in the table. All parameters will appear in the editing section. Modify the parameters to your liking, then hit Save again.

Transmit Messages

ease be aware that you can only transmit messages when you have chosen ECU Simulation Mode in the ECU Setup tab and you have claimed an ECU address (see paragraph ECU Setup above). Otherwise, the software will indicate that there is no node ID available. You can design messages by entering the PGN, Destination Address (255 = Global Address = Broadcasting), Priority, Data, Transmit Interval (optional), and Description (optional).
Click the Save command button to transfer the PGN into the Transmit table. If you have entered a transmission frequency, you will see the PGN appear in the Receive window below. For single (manual) transmission, leave the Interval at zero, select the PGN in the table and click on the Transmit command button.
In order to modify a specific PGN, simply click on it in the table. All parameters will appear in the editing section. Modify the parameters to your liking, then hit Save again.

Display Options

In cases where you set up PGN transmission at high frequencies (e.g., 10 milliseconds), it doesn’t make sense to display the message on the screen since the human eye will have problems following the data flow. Also, you will most likely miss other, received messages. For this case, the program offers a “Display” option.
To stress the point, checking the “Display” option for messages with a frequency of fewer than 100 milliseconds will put some burden on the communication with the PC, which should be avoided when possible.
In addition, it also offers a display mode affecting all transmitted PGNs by providing options such as Individual (as assigned through the “Display” option), Enables All, or Disable All.

Transmitting PGNs Using a Frequency

In case you want to transmit a PGN using a frequency, select the corresponding option in the “Transmission Rate” list box, then enter the frequency in milliseconds and click Save. The program will automatically send the PGN using the assigned frequency.

Transmitting PGNs Upon Request

In order to simulate an SAE J1939 ECU, it may be necessary to simulate the transmission of a PGN upon request. Edit the PGN as you would do with any regular PGN but select “On Request” in the “Transmission Rate” list box, then click Save. The message will be transmitted as soon as the program receives a request for it.

Setting Up a Request Message

A small set of PGNs is only available per Request message. In this example, we are setting up a request for “Engine Hours” – PGN 65253. Please note that you cannot set a frequency for request messages; the program will override any such entries. After editing the PGN, click on the Request command button (not the Save button).
The PGN for a Request message is 59904 and the data represents the requested PGN (LSB first, MSB last). All this reflects on the screen after hitting Request.

Transmitting Messages Longer Than 8 Bytes (TP – Transport Protocol)

The setup of a TP (Transport Protocol) message, i.e., a message with more than 8 data bytes, is identical to the process as described above, with the only exception that you cannot assign a transmit frequency since TP messages are only transmitted after a Message Request. The number of transmitted data can be between 9 and 1785 bytes.
The USB gateway will automatically manage the switching between regular PGNs (8 data bytes) and a TP transmission.

Data Recorder

The Recorder function allows the user to store received (filtered) PGNs into an MS-Excel-compatible CSV file.

Note: The JCOM1939 Monitor Pro-X version shows the tab as PC Recorder, in order to separate it from the second recording mode, the Gateway Recorder.

The control buttons are self-explanatory since they resemble those of any standard recording device. Click Record to start the recording process, and the program will display the number of urrent records as shown below.

After clicking the Stop button, the software will prompt you to store the file with a name and at a location of your choice.
The data format is .csv (comma-separated values), which can be viewed either per an ASCII text editor or Microsoft Excel.

Extensions

The JCOM gateways with Real-Time Clock (RTC) allow the storing of extended features, such as timestamp, reception mode (RX or TX), and PGN description:

Note: The Time column in the Excel file view has been modified to display the data correctly. The Time column in the Excel file view has been modified to display the data correctly.

Network Scanner

Please be aware that you can only scan the network when you have chosen ECU Simulation Mode in the ECU Setup tab. Otherwise, the software will indicate that there is no node ID available.
Click on the Scan Network command button, and the system will send a Request for Address Claimed message into the network. All other ECUs will respond and send their information, which will be displayed in the table.

Gateway Modus

The Gateway Modus allows you to check the communication between your Windows computer nd the gateway. The information as displayed here is described in the manual for the JCOM1939 Protocol.
Note: The FLASH command button will set the gateway into programming mode, meaning it will cease its regular operation. The only way to resume regular operation is to reset the device per power cycle (off-on). This feature can be used to load firmware updates into the device. Please check with the product page on this website for possible updates.
Gateway Hardware and Firmware Version
The Gateway Modus section also displays the gateway’s hardware and firmware version, which helps to determine whether or not an update will be necessary.
In the upper right position of the tab, check the Software Version number and verify it with the newest version as documented as shown above on this page.
Note: For a detailed description of the firmware update procedure, please refer to the wiki section on our website dedicated to the JCOM gateway’s hardware. The firmware updating procedure is identical between devices but the reference to the firmware file will be different.

Byte & Bit Editing Mode

As of version 3.20.00, we have added two sections to the software that allows the comfortable editing of selected data bits and bytes, resembling digital and analog signals:

Byte Data Editing – Simulation of Analog Signals

In the Byte Data section of the jCOM1939Monitor software, the user can select a previously designed PGN, the data start position, and the data length (1, 2, 3, or 4 bytes). The program will display the data as selected and allows the user to modify the data either per text input or sliding the associated track bar.
This mode was specifically designed with the simulation of analog signals in mind. However, due to the generic nature of the software, it does not verify that the selected PGN data represents an analog parameter. In the above sample, we chose a random selection of proprietary PGNs, and, while the screen shows four different PGNs, the program also allows the simultaneous modification of several bytes in the PGN data field.
The following screenshot demonstrates how several bytes in one PGN were modified:

Note that the data is being updated and transmitted as soon as it is modified by the user.

Bit Data Editing – Simulation of Digital Signals

The Bit Data section was designed with the modification of digital signals in mind. It functions very similarly to the Byte Data section, however, limited to one byte. Also, instead of a slider, the program uses checkboxes to set or reset digital information.
The following screenshot demonstrates how several bits in one PGN were modified:

JCOM1939 Monitor Pro-X – Extensions & Modifications

The following features are only supported by JCOM gateways with Real-Time Clock (RTC).
Note: Please make sure to check that your current JCOM1939 Monitor version and the gateway’s firmware version are up to date. Otherwise, there will be inconsistencies in functionality.

PGN Filters – Assigning a Sample Frequency
Starting with V 4.01.00 (Gateway firmware version 2.01.00), the JCOM1939 Monitor Pro-X
software, besides some slight design modifications, comes with an extended “Filter” section:

This new version allows editing a sample rate. Keeping the sample time at zero will result in realtime data reception, i.e., the original data rate.

In the screenshot above, we have assigned a sample rate of one second (1000 milliseconds) to PGN 65289 (we used a transmission ate of 50 milliseconds through our simulator).

Gateway Recorder – J1939 Data Recording Programming

Starting with V 4.10.00 (Gateway firmware version 2.20.00), the onboard microSD card is being used to store SAE J1939 data traffic and to set up the recording configuration. For that purpose, the JCOM1939 Monitor software has been extended by the “Gateway Recorder” section, as shown in the following image:

The setup allows defining which PGN to record and which sample frequency to use. A sample frequency of zero indicates that the recorder should store the data immediately, i.e., according to the frequency defined by the SAE J1939 Standard.

This model assumes the recording of selected PGNs (message filtering) for diagnostics and analysis purposes. Depending on the number of PGNs, the maximum recording time can be between 4 to 12 weeks at 8 hours/day using a 16 GB microSD card.
Once the board is programmed (clicking the “Program Gateway” command button), the PC connection can be removed, and the gateway can be connected to a running SAE J1939 network (as simulated in our setup). Upon the next power-up cycle (Reset), the gateway will record the PGNs as defined in the setup without a PC connection.
The board will resume regular gateway operation as soon as it is re-connected to the PC running the JCOM1939 Monitor software.

Data Record Retrieval

At this time, data retrieval is accomplished by removing the SD card from the board and using a PC card reader.
For the purpose of improved data sampling and storage time, part of the real-time information, namely the date and hour of day, is integrated into the filename. This will reduce a great amount of redundant information.
Since the filename includes the recording date and hour, there will be one file per hour and a new file will be created at the beginning of a new hour (precision is plus/minus five seconds without loss of data).
Filename Format: DATAYYMMDDHH.txt
YY – Years since 2000
MM – Month
DD – Day
HH – Hour (0…23)
All information (data) is stored in ASCII text format, providing easy readability and adding basic means to verify data validity.
The file format is, however, MS-Excel-compatible. The screenshot below shows an example of one of our recording sessions.
Note: It almost appears that only PGN 65282 (FF02) is being recorded. However, this PGN is sampled at the highest frequency (20 msec). We checked, and the recording session does sample all PGNs as specified.

The data columns include time of day, milliseconds, Data Page, PGN, destination address (DA), source address (SA), and the data.
Note: We separated the milliseconds from the time of day to maintain a basic level of MS-ExcelCompatibility (Excel does not support time formatting down to milliseconds).
The next screenshot shows the same data as read by MS-Excel:

However, in order to create this view, we made a few modifications: We renamed the file from .txt to .csv to establish Excel compatibility. We formatted the time column (HH:MM: SS) according to the Excel format. Lastly, we formatted all columns to the left margin and adjusted the column width.
The test setup created text file sizes of 250MB per 24-hour recording session, which translates into roughly 48 days recording capacity at 24 hours per day using a 16GB SD card.

Softwares Mobile Phone & Website Tracking Platform User Guide

Mobile Phone & Website Tracking Platform Operation Guide:

This software is web based system, for users to logon with given user name & password to locate the tracker’s current location, play back the history tracking with specified date & time, remote turn off car engine, listen the sound in car, and set over speed alarm etc.

This system uses the Google map and support all the explore software, such as Microsoft IE, Google Chrome, Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera etc. Apps are also available for iOS iPhone & Android App. Please visit www.nextechgps.com and click the the QR code to download the app & manual. Scan the QR code on the login page www.nextechgps.com also can download the app & manual.

This device can be used to track cars, company vehicles, buses, taxis, trucks, and other vehicles.

Tracking Platform Operation

Every tracker has a unique user name and password. The default user name is the last 7 digits of the S/N or ID or IMEI number which is printed on the label that sticks on the back of the tracker or under the battery. You could also check the tracker ID by sending a SMS (ID*12345678 or CHECK*12345678) to tracker to check ID and the default password is the same with user name. For example if the tracker’s ID is: 800202016881898, then the default user name on the platform of this tracker is: 6881898, and the default platform password is :6881898 or 123456.Users can change the password and user information (Such as car number plate numbers and phone numbers).

Note: In the following words, “Click” means the action of clicking the left button of your mouse once

Platform Login:

Visit www.nextechgps.com , select the language version, the login page will display as follow, input the user name & password and then click “Login”:

Page After Login

Display current car location:

Every time after you login, the following window will display.

The bottom left window will display the current fleet car name and status (online or offline), click the car name, the car detail location and status will display

For the sub-fleet car, click the sub-fleet name, the sub-fleet car name will display in the left bottom window, also click the car name, the car location will display on map (For Example click sub-fleet TEST1, the car T1 will display, click T1, T1 location will display).

The default password is same as the user name. We recommend the users to change the password before using. Click the menu “More” on the top right, and then click “Change password”, the change password page will display, input the current and new password.

Change User Account Information:

Click the menu “More” on the top right, and then click “My account”. The account information page will display, please set the user contact information, and select local time zone (upload time is GMT time, not your local time, after selecting local time zone, it is not necessary to set local time by sending SMS to tracker again). The contact information is very important.

Change target Information (Car Name / SIM card number etc.)

Click the car name in the bottom left window. The pop up windows will display the car status and click the menu “More” in the pop up window. Another window will pop up, click the “target info”, the target info window will pop up. The IMEI number / expired date / Type / Active date cam not be changed by user, the target Name is the car name that display in the bottom left window, SIM card number is the sim card number in the tracker(this can avoid you forget the sim card number in the future), License Plate No is the car plate number that can be used to login the platform (Select IMEI or Car Plate, password is the same), the over speed (Km/h) is the alarm speed, and the Contacts is your name, and Fuel /100km is the average fuel consume every 100km (used for calculate about how many fuel will be exhaust), and the display car icon on the map can be selected. Click “Save” to save the changing of the setting.

Car Status:

To save vehicle or object power battery and gprs data, after the object stop moving for 2 minutes, the tracker will turn off GPS and GPRS, and go to sleep mode. The car status will change to offline mode, and when the vehicle started moving again, the tracker will turn on the GPS and GPRS to upload the location to server again. If you need keep the tracker online all the time, please send SMS to change the setting of the tracker, the detail SMS command please see the tracker manual for details.

History Track Playback:

Click the car name in the left bottom window, the pop up windows will display the car status, and click the menu “Playback” in the pop up window or below the car name.

A new playback page will pop up, click the “From” and “To” to select the start and end playback time, and then Click “OK”.

And then Click “Play”, the system will load the history tracking and playback automatically, you can slide the blue “█” button to slow to make the playback speed slower, and the right bottom window will display the event recoding (Stop time and period etc.), the server will keep the tracking data for 6-12 months.

Real Time Tracking:

Click the car name, the car’s latest location will display on the map, and every 30 seconds the location will be updated from the server on the map, it is not necessary to do any operation when tracking the vehicle on the web, just keep the explorer open.

Set Break Geo-fence Alarm(In out Area Alarm):

Click the car name in the left bottom window, the pop up windows will display the car status, and click the menu “Geo-fence” in the pop up window or below the car name “More” and “Geo-fence”, the menu is the same location on the screen with the above, an new “Geo-fence” page will pop up, click the “Add” menu to define a new geo-fence. Click and hold the mouse button to drag the circle bigger or smaller, and click and hold the center point of the circle can move the circle to your demand place on the map. Give a name of this geo-fence, and click “Save” to save the geo fence, later when the object is out of the area, the alarm information will be record in the server, you can check and export the alarm list any time.

Over Speed Alarm:

The over speed alarm is set in the “target Info”, please see the above to set the speed. the alarm can be check and export from the “Statistics” menu.

iOS iPhone App Locate:

iPhone & Android App locate will cost GPRS data, Before using mobile phone app to locate, you need enable GPRS service or connect to Wifi. iPhone App is available for locating car with current location and playing back history back etc

Use iPhone Safari browser to visit website: www.nextechgps.com or www.igps.info/nextech , or scan the iOS App QR code with camera can install the app, the website will link to app store, it is free, and it is not necessary to do the IOS Jail breaking.

Open app store on iPhone, Search “NextechGPS” app, the above app will display, click the “Get” and “Install”, and input your apple ID and password, the app will be downloaded and installed on the iPhone automatically.

Note: before running the NextechGPS app, the “Location Services” need be enabled, please set as the following: Setting→ Location Services, or: Settings→ Privacy→ Location Services, Enable the “Location Services”, and please confirm the the selection of the NextechGPS list in the program also have been enabled to “On”.

Android phone App Locate:

Use Android phone browser to visit website: www.nextechgps.com or www.igps.info/nextech , or scan the Android App QR code with camera, it will download the app, after downloading the system will install the app automatically, Click “Install” to begin the installing, after the installation click “Open” or “Done” is OK. Press the app icon and hold can move the app icon to main screen, and then later, it is easy to find and run the app.

For Android mobile phone, security setting need change before installation, click menu “Settings — Security — Device administration — Unknown sources (Allow installation of non-Market apps)”, Click to select this option, this means the mobile phone can allow installing the download apps, after installation, you can change the above setting back to disable status.

Note: before running the NextechGPS app, please turn the NextechGPS app permissions setting ”Get location information” to “Accept” , every android is different, the selection is normally in menu “Apps” – “Permissions” – “NextechGPS” – “Get location info” – “Accept / Notify / Deny ”, this selection should be switched to “Accept”, if not, the app can not display mobile current location and maybe crashed.

Some company android system mobile phone, the “Google Services Framework” are removed by the manufacture from the android system, and the NextechGPS app will use this service, so this will make the installation been terminated by the system, so you need download and install the standard “Google Services Framework” from internet, and update the android os system and re-power on the mobile phone, and then the NextechGPS app can be installed on the mobile phone, the detail information for how to update the android please search on internet.

Trouble Shooting

1. The history tracking data on our server will keep up to 3-6 months, the old data will be deleted.
2. If the car status is kept offline when the object is moving, and the location did not change, please confirm the SIM card in the tracker has been enabled GPRS function and has enough call credit in it, and the APN has been set by your tracker SIM card mobile phone using guide, and please keep the tracker outside to receive the GPS signal and GSM signal, if the tracker is moving, it will upload location to server, but if the tracker stop moving, it will not upload tracking to the server and go to offline status. If the tracker Green LED keep ON, it means no GSM network, if the Green LED flashes twice, it means GPS signal weak.
3. If the tracker can not reply SMS, please confirm the SIM card in tracker has been enabled caller ID display & SMS function and have enough money, also please confirm the command and password is right.
4. The tracker is not online all the time, this is normal, the tracker built in shock sensor to control GPS and uploading, if the tracker stop moving 2 minutes, the tracker will turn off GPS and go to standby mode, this can save car battery power & GPRS data charge, if the tracker begin moving, it will upload location to server immediately, and the status will change to online immediately.
5. If you forget your login password or user name, or can not login the platform any more, please confirm your service date is not expired, if still can not login, please contact your dealer or distributor to reset password or recharging for the platform service.
6. Can not logon the platform, sending SMS (ID*12345678 or CHECK*12345678) to tracker to check tracker’s ID, the user name is the last 7 digit of the ID, and the password is same with user name, if still can not logon, please contact dealer or us. For example the ID is : 1451217388, then the user name is :1217388, and password is : 1217388 or 123456.
7. In some place, GPS signal & GSM signal maybe not very good, in the transmit process, some tracking point maybe lost, this is normal, but this will not happen very often.
8. The mileage in the vehicle running report is calculated from GPS data, and the precision is not very high, maybe it has some difference with the mileage meter.

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