I am reaching out to the community for guidance on connecting my car’s ECU to an Arduino. I’ve previously managed to stream ECU data to my laptop using a Consult to USB cable and a custom Windows Forms application. Now, I aim to replicate this project on an Arduino Mega2560, incorporating a 4d systems screen for data display.
My primary challenge lies in establishing a reliable USB connection between the Arduino and the ECU. I am working with an Arduino Mega2560 and need to interface it with my Nissan ECU, which utilizes a Consult interface, distinct from the standard OBD-II. The core question revolves around the feasibility of direct USB connectivity for ECU data retrieval on the Arduino platform.
To address this, I’ve considered a few potential approaches, but as an Arduino novice, I seek expert validation on their viability:
Idea #1: Employing a USB to TTL Serial Cable. The concept here is to bridge the Consult cable with a USB TTL cable using a female-to-female USB connector. Subsequently, the USB to TTL cable would interface with the RX, TX, 5V, and GND pins on the Arduino board, programmed to utilize the designated serial port. The specific cable under consideration is the USB to TTL Serial Cable (SparkFun CAB-12977) | Little Bird Australia.
Idea #2: Utilizing a dedicated USB to TTL Board. This approach involves wiring a USB to TTL board to the Arduino Mega. The Consult cable would then connect to this board. Programming would be adjusted to communicate through the corresponding serial port.
Idea #3: Direct USB Connection via Female-to-Female USB Connector. This simplest method involves using a female-to-female USB connector to directly link the Consult cable to the Arduino Mega’s USB port via a standard USB cable. The intention is to program the Arduino to operate on Serial Port 0, assuming this is the designated port for USB communication.
Could any of these methods successfully facilitate a USB connection for ECU data access on my Arduino project? The project’s constraint is the necessity for USB-based communication. Your insights and recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
