FreeEMS - open source ECU!

[RT40Corona4AGTE]

There is a Free-EMS project that is being heavily developed worldwide.

Please for all who are interested refer to here

FreeEMS

I can also answer or help direct any questions to the relevant FreeEMS people if further information is required.

These will have various hardware configurations running the same code base.

I am working on the 4AGE specific hardware version, "RavAGE", but it will be useable on many projects, not just those that are 4AGE oriented.

A video on some code progressions for those who are interested in such is linked below. Outlining some good progressions with injector channel availability.

Sean's XGATE Bit Bang Sequential LT1 V8 Demo - YouTube

[RT40Corona4AGTE]

Bump!

RavAGE will be released very soon!

[trdee]

good luck habib!

[George]

Why develop yet one engine controller? Why not stick with something already existing like the MS?

[oldcorollas]

because they can
everyone needs a hobby

[George]

That's not an argument. You can mention it's hardware limited, or isn't open source, or maybe its code is bargain and it's easier to start from scratch. But in general I think it's better to reuse some existing parts (source, hardware) to focus on more advanced things like knock detection, ease of datalogging, robustness etc etc

[oldcorollas]

then why not go MoTec? Autronic? Link? any of the other established brands?

[George]

Because they're black boxes. You can't add custom control algorithms or modify existing code, you're only left to tweaking the predefined set of maps. And besides these controllers cost something.

[oldcorollas]

that's no argument.
they can pretty much do whatever you need to, and the "DIY" ECU's still cost something, particularly time..

if you are only comfortable with tuning, that's ok.
if you are only comfortable with writing software, or stealing other peoples hardware modules, that's ok too.
but if you want to start from scratch and design your own ECU and software.. that's ok too

there were plenty of options around when MS was started, and back then the big project was EFI332.
now that MS has gone through a number of revisions (and cost increases) it is not much cheaper than commercial systems..

why not go and make your own? some people think it is fun to learn how to make stuff.

[George]

Because starting from scratch is pretty much like inventing a pedal bicycle. Using existing routine code (like decoding crank/cam sensor, determining ignition timing etc etc) saves your time for inventing really intelligent things that can make big difference.

As a quick and dirty example - I know a working project on fully analog self-tuning ignition system, that determines all necessary parameters from analyzing crankshaft angular velocity/acceleration. Once placed within capture range, it can reliably track knocking without traditional knock sensor. This is what I assume "interesting thing". It's not reinventing something that already exists.

[oldcorollas]

you know how many different kinds of bike pedals there are? how many different cleat systems? more than one
to be able to invent the intelligent thngs, some people need to start by learning and inventing basic things first...

so let them
why criticise people actually enjoying being part of a community that is creating things?

who knows.. maybe FreeEMS will end up being better than MS? did you consider that?

[George]

I wish they would grow and be eventually better than the MS, but it would take some time.

You know, Chinese achievements on Moon would end up being much more advanced than those of USSR and the US, but after 40 years passed that wouldn't look that impressive... by this time, the Voyagers would have left the Solar system for example

[MWP]

Why not stick with something already existing like the MS?

Because its heavily copyrighted to B&G.
Anyone that wants to do any serious mods, especially those that they want to re-distribute have to be passed off by, or licensed by B&G.

... and to be honest, the more i follow MegaSquirt development, the more dodgy it appears.

[George]

Because its heavily copyrighted to B&G.

So, it's not possible to start your own branch from existing project?
For example, take standard hardware, very basic code and add your custom functions independently from their main discussion boards?

[thechuckster]

So, it's not possible to start your own branch from existing project?
For example, take standard hardware, very basic code and add your custom functions independently from their main discussion boards?

yes, you can get the hardware and software specs off the forum and make your own.

It's not an open source ECU as you might expect it. B&G have copyright of the name and the original ECU and software designs. Also, the surface-mount hardware makes one-off replicas quite difficult & expensive. Then there's the licensing of anything sold by third parties, for example the diyautotune ECUs are derived from the MS Extra and later ECUs and (parts of them) would be licensed from B & G (and the MS3 and MS2/Extra code is also copyrighted by the developers)

You could get an ECU, get the source code and fork your own version off that - but producing a forked copy and sending it out for manufacture and sale would not be kosher without a license deal.

As the newer versions use surface-mount hardware, they feel there is a need to have some kind of fence around the product, if only to ensure that fabrication costs are not a drain on the developers.

One major reason for not open-sourcing the whole project was the support expectations from end-users (forums and design/development discussions are for the sanctioned ECU only, also some pirated copies were sold in several countries further clouding the support issues). Another was the litigious nature of American users.

Most open source projects/products will have copyright and licensing implications anyway so what they're doing is not that unusual (and to be expected given that it's not open source).