Embedded Planet epConnected Vehicle Operational manual
www.embeddedplanet.com
Embedded Planet Inc. | v1.0.0 | 25 Feb 2022
epConnected Vehicle
4G LTE-M Cellular Modem + GNSS, CAN interface, I/O, Bluetooth, & Sensors
Product User Manual
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 1 of 39
About This Manual
The epConnected Vehicle User Manual provides detailed information encompassing the design,
description, and integration of the epConnected V device. For elaboration on drawings, software, or other
specific product details there may be other sources of information to which this document points as reference.
For the latest documentation, including document & certification updates, please always refer to the Embedded
Planet documentation page: https://www.embeddedplanet.com/product-documentation
Product Web Page
The epConnected Vehicle product page by Embedded Planet provides description & resources related
to this product. This page can be located at https://www.embeddedplanet.com/connected-vehicle
Acrynyms & Abbreviations
Term Description
EPI Embedded Planet, Inc.
ToF Time-of-Flight
IoT Internet of Things
PCBA Printed Circuit Board Assembly
epCV epConnected Vehicle
I/O Inputs/Outputs
GPIO General Purpose Inputs / Outputs
IC Integrated Circuit [component]
BT Bluebooth
BLE Bluetooth Low Energy
IMU Inertial Measurement Unit [sensor]
LiPo Lithium-Ion Polymer
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 2 of 39
Contents
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 4
2. Orderable Part Numbers .................................................................................................................................. 5
3. Additional Resources ......................................................................................................................................... 6
4. Feature Callouts ................................................................................................................................................ 7
4.1. Feature Callouts | Basic Board Information ............................................................................................. 7
4.2. Feature Callouts | Connectors & Hardware (Board)............................................................................... 8
4.3. Feature Callouts | Connectors & Hardware (Enclosure) ......................................................................... 9
5. Block Diagrams ................................................................................................................................................. 10
5.1. Block Diagram | System .............................................................................................................................. 10
5.2. Block Diagram | Board ............................................................................................................................... 11
6. Device Specifications ........................................................................................................................................ 12
7. Agora Module ................................................................................................................................................... 13
8. Sensors ............................................................................................................................................................. 13
9. Power ............................................................................................................................................................... 14
9.1. Power | Battery .......................................................................................................................................... 14
9.2. Power | Internal Power ..............................................................................................................................15
10. Programming, Debugging, & Development ...................................................................................................... 17
11. Component Interfaces ..................................................................................................................................... 17
11.1. Component Interfaces | Outputs (U5) ...................................................................................................... 17
11.2. Component Interfaces | GPIO Expander (U6) .......................................................................................... 17
11.3. Component Interfaces | UART Managers ................................................................................................ 18
11.4. Component Interfaces | CAN Managers ................................................................................................. 18
12. Pinouts .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
12.1. Pinouts: MCU Pinout.................................................................................................................................... 19
12.2. Pinouts: TagConnect Programming Header (J2) ..................................................................................... 21
12.3. Pinouts: Arm Cortex Programming Header (J3) ...................................................................................... 21
12.4. Pinouts: Power/CAN Pinout (J5) ............................................................................................................... 22
12.5. External I/O Pinout (J6) ............................................................................................................................ 23
12.6. OBDII Cable Pinout ................................................................................................................................... 25
13. Antennae ......................................................................................................................................................... 26
14. Electrical Specifications ................................................................................................................................... 27
14.1. Pin Map + Maximum/Minimum Operation Ratings .................................................................................... 27
15. Mechanical Specifications................................................................................................................................ 29
15.1. Physical Parameters ................................................................................................................................. 29
15.2. Enclosure ................................................................................................................................................. 29
15.3. Mechanical Drawings ............................................................................................................................... 29
15.4. Environmental Specifications.................................................................................................................. 35
16. Regulatory Information ................................................................................................................................... 35
16.1. Cellular Certifications & Endorsements .................................................................................................. 35
16.2. RoHS Compliance ...................................................................................................................................... 36
16.3. Interferance Statement .......................................................................................................................... 36
16.4. FCC and ISED Compliance........................................................................................................................ 36
16.5. Wireless Notice ........................................................................................................................................ 37
16.6. Antenna Notice: FCC & ISED ..................................................................................................................... 37
16.7. End-Product Labeling Requirements ....................................................................................................... 38
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 3 of 39
16.8. FCC Additional Testing, Part 15 Subpart B Disclaimer ............................................................................. 38
17. Revision History ................................................................................................................................................ 39
Table 1 – Part Number Configurator ....................................................................................................................... 5
Table 2 – Option Configurator ................................................................................................................................ 5
Table 3 – Example Configurations ........................................................................................................................... 6
Table 4 – Basic Board Information .......................................................................................................................... 7
Table 5 - Board connectors & Hardware ................................................................................................................. 8
Table 6 – Enclosure Connectors & Hardware ......................................................................................................... 9
Table 7 – Device specifications ............................................................................................................................... 12
Table 8 – U6 pin assignments ................................................................................................................................. 17
Table 9 – U4 pin assignments ................................................................................................................................. 18
Table 10 – MCU Pinout (BT840 via Agora) ................................................................................................................ 19
Table 11 –TagConnect debug header pinout (J2) ................................................................................................... 21
Table 12 – Arm Cortex debug header pinout (J3)................................................................................................... 21
Table 13 – Power/CAN connector (J5) pinout ......................................................................................................... 22
Table 14 – J5 to DB9 pin map .................................................................................................................................. 22
Table 15 – J6 header pin list ................................................................................................................................... 24
Table 16 – OBDII cable pinout ................................................................................................................................. 25
Table 17 – Pin Map + Maximum/Minimum Operation Ratings ................................................................................. 27
Table 18 – physical parameters ............................................................................................................................. 29
Table 19 – environmental specifications ............................................................................................................... 35
Table 18 – FCC & ISED max gain by band................................................................................................................ 37
Table 17 – revision history ...................................................................................................................................... 39
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 4 of 39
1. Introduction
The epConnected Vehicle provides a solution for bringing wireless data collection & management to vehicle
interfaces. The device is composed of a carrier board that connects an integrated Agora to a vehicle’s OBDII port,
bringing the capabilities of an Agora to the vehicle. The epConnected Vehicle can collect data from input I/O and
provide control through driving output I/O. Monitored data can be sent over available wireless methods on the
Agora (Cellular, Bluetooth) with control actions performed through the nRF52840 microcontroller module on the
Agora or control through cloud applications. The board is powered through an OBDII cable (12V) with a lithium
battery backup for lightweight activities after the ignition is turned off & the OBDII power source is shut off. The
epConnected Vehicle includes a plastic housing with user interfaces for CAN/power, cellular antenna (SMA), GNSS
antenna (SMA), and data I/O, as well as flanges for mounting.
Powered by Agora
The epConnected Vehicle leverages the capabilities of the Agora module by Embedded Planet. Agora is an IoT
solution platform that incorporates the processing power of an onboard MCU with the wireless connectivity of
cellular, Bluetooth, & LoRa while collecting sensor data. Onboard sensors can include 6-axis IMU, 9-axis IMU, Time-
of-Flight (ToF) distance, temperature/humidity, temperature/humidity/pressure/VOC gas, and sound/microphone.
The cellular module is available in configurations that include GNSS capabilities. Some configurations of Agora
include custom plastics & a LiPo battery with recharging capabilities. Agora can operate as a standalone module or
be integrated into new or existing hardware designs. To learn more about Agora & how to leverage its capabilities,
visit https://www.embeddedplanet.com/agora.
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 5 of 39
2. Orderable Part Numbers
This table shows the flexibility of possible device configurations. Availability of specific configurations is
contingent on current stocking & ordering conditions. Please contact Embedded Planet sales to ask about a
configuration not found in the Embedded Planet shop: [email protected]om. The Embedded Planet shop is
hosted at https://shop.embeddedplanet.com.
TABLE 1 – PART NUMBER CONFIGURATOR
Configuration:
EPCNCT
-
VEH1.2
-
A
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TABLE 2 – OPTION CONFIGURATOR
Option Designator Description Notes
1
Environment
(Agora PCBA)
1
None
A
Bosch BME680: temp, humidity, pressure, gas
B
SiLabs Si7021
-
A20: temp, humidity
C
BOTH
(
BME680
+
Si7021
-
A20
)
: temp,
humidity
+
pressure, gas
default
2
Inertia
(Agora PCBA)
2
None
D
6
-
Axis IMU:
InvenSense ICM
-
20602
|
3
-
axis accel, 3
-
axis gyro
E
9
-
Axis IMU:
ST LSM9DS1
|
3
-
axis accel, 3
-
axis gyro, 3
-
axis mag
F
BOTH (6
-
Axis + 9
-
Axis IMU):
ICM
-
20602
&
ST LSM9DS1
(gyro, accel + mag)
default
3
Time of Flight
(Agora PCBA)
3
None
G
ST VL53L0X
default
4
Reserved
4
None
5
Reserved
5
None
6
Reserved
6
None
7
Battery
Backup
7
None
J
Internal 4.3V LiPo and Charger (Carrier PCB Mounted)
default
8
Customer I/O
8
None
K
4 inputs, 6 outputs, 2 RS
-
232, Voltage Monitor (Carrier PCB Mounted)
default
#
Feature
1
Environment sensor
2
Inertia
sensor
3
Range sensor
4
Reserved
5
Reserved
6
Reserved
7
Backup Battery
8
External
I/O
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 6 of 39
Below are some example configurations for the epConnected Vehicle device:
TABLE 3 – EXAMPLE CONFIGURATIONS
Full
Configuration P
art
N
umber
Configuration Description
EPCNCT
-
VEH1.2
-
A123456
78
No
optional
features
included
EPCNCT
-
VEH1.2
-
A
C
FG
456
JK
All
optional
features
included
(Default)
EPCNCT
-
VEH1.2
-
A
AEG
456
JK
Only
one
of each available feature
included
3. Additional Resources
Agora module:
https://www.embeddedplanet.com/agora
epConnected Vehicle:
https://www.embeddedplanet.com/connected-vehicle
Embedded Planet Documentation:
https://www.embeddedplanet.com/product-documentation/#connected-vehicle
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 7 of 39
4. Feature Callouts
4.1. Feature Callouts | Basic Board Information
TABLE 4 – BASIC BOARD INFORMATION
Category Reference Component Type Description / Purpose
Label 1 Label Serialization & board identification
Modem 2 Agora PCBA module Cellular/GNSS connectivity, sensors
1: Serial Number /
Board ID label
2: Agora
PCBA
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 8 of 39
4.2. Feature Callouts | Connectors & Hardware (Board)
TABLE 5 - BOARD CONNECTORS & HARDWARE
Category Reference Component Type Description / Purpose
Mechanical 1 Board mounting holes Mounting hardware for use with enclosure
Connector 2 JST / Battery Connector input for LiPo battery power
Connector 3 Power & CAN Interface for CAN & power input
Connector 4 I/O array Interface for assorted I/O
Mechanical 5 Agora mounting posts For securing Agora to the host board
Connector 6 ARM Cortex For programming/debug (SWD)
Connector 7 TagConnect For programming/debug (SWD)
Connector 8 Tectonic Edge™ Board Edge/Finger interface for Agora
1: Board mounting
holes (x4)
2:
JST Battery
Connector
3:
Power & CAN
connector (J
5)
5
:
Agora
mounting posts
4
:
I
/
O Connector (J6)
6: ARM Cortex
programming/
debug connector
7: TagConnect programming/
debug connector
8:
Tectonic Edge™
connector for Agora
Embedded Planet, Inc. epConnected Vehicle | Product User Manual Version: 1.0.0 | 25 Feb 22
Embedded Planet, Inc. | 31225 Bainbridge Rd Suite N, Solon, OH 44139 | 216-245-4180 | www.embeddedplanet.com | Page 9 of 39
4.3. Feature Callouts | Connectors & Hardware (Enclosure)
TABLE 6 – ENCLOSURE CONNECTORS & HARDWARE
Category Reference Component Type Description / Purpose
Mechanical 1 Enclosure mounting holes For securing device enclosure
Connector 2 Power/CAN Connector for power & CAN bus
Connector 3 I/O array Connector for external I/O array
Connector 4 GNSS antenna External SMA-style GNSS antenna port
Connector 5 Cellular antenna External SMA-style Cellular antenna port
1:
Mounting holes on each
side of the enclosure (x2)
4: GNSS antenna
connector (SMA)
5: Cellular
antenna
connector
(SMA)
2: Power/CAN
connector
3: I/O connector
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