Predefined Channels

Overview

There are a number of channels that are automatically added to the display setup. These cannot be deleted as they can be critical to the display operation.

By default, the pre-defined outputs are hidden from view in the Channels Tab and are only visible as appropriate inputs when configuring other channels or gauges. They can be made visible in the Channels Tab by checking the Show Predefined Outputs box.

Bitmask Channel

Overview

Bitmask Channels are used to mask off bits from a raw (32 bit) input.

This is useful when data is received from the ECU that contains information for two different outputs.

For example, the lower 4 bits of a value may be used to determine gear position while the upper 4 bits determine diff mode.

Options

Mask (hex)

The mask, in hexadecimal format.

Any bits in the input value that are also set in the mask are allowed through, otherwise the bits shall be set to zero.

If used as a derived output, internal values in the display are represented as double precision floating point numbers. Floating point numbers are converted to integer prior to masking.

Hexadecimal format is used here since it lines up nicely with bits. A single hexadecimal character represents 4 bits:

Calibration Factor Channel

Overview

Calibration Factor channels allow a programmable value to be created that can be linked into the events system to allow end users to set a new value on the display itself.

This can be used as a calibration factor or for storing initial fuel values for example.

Settings

Initial Value

The display will use this value whenever a new setup has been programmed.

If the output has not been added to the monitor page, then the output will be reset to this value whenever it is not shown.

Always use initial value at startup

If “Always use initial value at startup” is checked then the calibration factor will not be saved in non-volatile memory during power-off of the display.

If the value should be persistent when the display is switched off, then the output MUST be added to the Monitored Channels .

Resolution

This is the amount the value is changed by in response to the Increase and Decrease events.

Apply Limits

If ticked then the display prevents the value from exceeding the Min Value or Max Value limits.

Wraparound

If limits are specified then the Wraparound option is available. Check Wraparound to make the calibration value go back to Min Value after increasing the value beyond Max Value (and also in the opposite direction).

Events

See also: Events Tab

Increase

Configures the event for increasing the calibration factor by the Resolution value.

Decrease

Configures the event for decreasing the calibration factor by the Resolution value.

Reset

Configures the event for resetting the calibration factor value to Initial Value.

Supported By Displays

Case Channel

Overview

Checks through a list of input channels until a non-zero (true) input is found and outputs a value corresponding to that input.

Conditions

The condition list is in priority order - highest priority first; the case channel checks each Condition in list order in turn until a true condition (i.e. the value of the output is greater than 0) is found. This then results in the corresponding Output Value from the channel.

The case sensor is useful for making an output for use as the selector input in a bitmap selector.

Use the and buttons to the bottom right of the list to add or remove rows from the list.

The priority of items may be adjusted with the and buttons.

Supported By Displays

Differentiator Channel

Overview

Differentiator channels are used to create an output that is the differential of an input with respect to time; i.e. the gradient or rate of change of the input value.

Differentiation is the inverse of integration (see Integrator Channel ). Given an input like Distance Travelled, the rate of change may be computed to give an approximation of the Speed.

Options

Window[s]

Computing differentials using the first difference alone can result in a very noisy looking signal.

The average slope over the last Window seconds is therefore computed.

Acceptable values are between 0.1 and 2.0 seconds.

Higher numbers will produce a smoother, more filtered output but with a slower response time.

Supported By Displays

Distance Countdown Channel

Overview

Distance Countdown Factor channels allow a programmable distance count-down value to be created that can be linked into the events system to allow end users to set a new value on the display itself and reset the countdown value with an event.

Settings

Initial Value

When a Reset event is received, the output shall be reset to Initial Value.

Reset Value

If Reset Value is checked then the display will use this value whenever a new setup has been programmed.

If the output has not been added to the monitor page, then the output will be reset to this value whenever it is not shown.

Resolution

This is the amount the value is changed by in response to the Increase and Decrease events.

Events

See also: Events Tab

Increase

Configures the event for increasing the Initial Value by the Resolution value.

Decrease

Configures the event for decreasing the Initial Value by the Resolution value.

Reset

Configures the event for resetting the output value to Initial Value.

Supported By Displays

Distance Trip Channel

Overview

Distance Countdown Factor channels allow a programmable distance count-down value to be created that can be linked into the events system to allow end users to set a new value on the display itself and reset the countdown value with an event.

Settings

Reset Value

If Reset Value is checked then the display will use this value whenever a new setup has been programmed.

Resolution

This is the amount the value is changed by in response to the Increase and Decrease events.

Events

See also: Events Tab

Increase

Configures the event for increasing the Output Value by the Resolution value.

Decrease

Configures the event for decreasing the Output Value by the Resolution value.

Reset

Configures the event for resetting the output value to zero.

Supported By Displays

ECU Text Channel

Overview

ECU Text channels are used to obtain a text string (such as a calibration name) from a connected ECU.

Options

Length

The length of the string to read. Characters are read one-by-one from input value updates, typically this would be a single byte in a CAN message.

Typically strings would come from an ECU in response to a CAN Request .

Supported By Displays

ETA Channel

Overview

ETA channels are used to compute an estimated time of arrival.

ETA channels output a time value and any gauges must have an appropriate time format specified.

Options

Distance

Select a channel with the distance remaining to the destination. The channel should have appropriate units, see Conversion below.

Speed

Select a channel with the vehicle speed. The channel should have appropriate units, see Conversion below.

Conversion

The ETA channel computes the time, in seconds using the equation:

('Distance' * 3600) / 'Speed'

This is then converted to a time value.

Since there are 3600 seconds in an hour, it is expected that the speed is in distance/hour.

So the following options are viable for the input units of the Distance and Speed channels:

• Distance [km], Speed [kph]
• Distance [mi], Speed [mph]

Supported By Displays

Filter Channel

Overview

Filter channels can be configured to apply a chain of filters to the Primary Input channel.

Adding / Removing Filters

Use the and buttons to the bottom right of the Filter/Modifier list to add or remove filters from the list. The first item is the Filter Channel itself and can’t be removed.

Chained Filters

When there are multiple filters in a chain, Dash Design will insert hidden ‘modifier’ channels into the setup.

If the channel is used as the input to another output or a gauge then references shall be updated so that value at the end of the filter chain is routed to the output or gauge.

Filters

Minimum Since Reset

Outputs the minimum value of valid input values since the display was started / the filter was reset.

See Reset Triggers for details on the Reset Trigger and Reset Source options.

Maximum Since Reset

Outputs the maximum value of valid input values since the display was started / the filter was reset.

See Reset Triggers for details on the Reset Trigger and Reset Source options.

Average Since Reset

Outputs the average value of valid input values since the display was started / the filter was reset.

See Reset Triggers for details on the Reset Trigger and Reset Source options.

Value Reject

Rejects any input values that are below Minimum or above Maximum.

If out of range inputs are received then the value is not passed on to derived outputs or gauges.

Rate Reject

A filter that limits the rate of change of the input channel.

Data that changes faster than the rate limit is discarded. Called ‘Rate Filter’ in prior versions.

Rolling Minimum / Rolling Maximum / Rolling Average

Outputs the minimum/maximum/average value of the input value over a time window.

Update Period [ms]

Frequency at which the filter is calculated and will produce a value.

Increasing the update period will reduce memory requirements since the display must store less samples in the given time window.

Rolling Period [ms]

Range over which the rolling function is calculated (the window size).

Avoid excessively large windows with short update periods as these will require large amounts of memory in the display.

If the memory required for the window exceeds available resources, then the display setup may not function correctly.

Sample And Hold (Resample)

A filter that takes a single channel value sample and outputs that value for a predetermined time, before another sample is taken and output.

S&H Update Period [ms]

Frequency at which the input value is resampled.

Input Timeout Fallback

A filter that watches to see if an input channel is still being updated and if not, then a default value is sent in it’s place.

Typically used to define a replacement channel value when a CAN channel ceases to arrive as expected rather than just showing the last CAN value received.

Fallback Value

Value to output if the input times-out.

Timeout Value

Timeout, in milliseconds. If no value received after this period, the fallback value will be shown.

Error Text

Checks if a value is out of range to produce error text when in the out of range condition.

Comparison Value

Value for logic comparison with the input value (NOT Error Input).

Comparator

Logical comparison operator for comparing input value with the input value, as in:

'input value' <comparator> <comparison value>

e.g.

'input value' < 5

Error Text Option

Text that should be output to gauges if the error condition is active.

Error Input

Input channel that if non-zero, shall be used to put the channel into the error condition.

If an Error Input and a condition are specified then the result is the logical OR of the two conditions.

Reset Triggers

Many filters offer a Reset Trigger. This is specified in conjunction with a Reset Source.

Reset Source

Input Channel to reset the filter. The Reset Trigger option specifies how the Reset Source value is interpreted.

Reset Trigger

Select the condition under which the Reset Source should trigger a reset of the filter.

Any Edge

Any change in value of Reset Source shall reset the filer.

Falling Edge

Reset the filter when Reset Source reduces in value.

Rising Edge

Reset the filter when Reset Source increases in value.

Level: OFF

Reset the filter when Reset Source is zero.

Level: ON

Reset the filter when Reset Source is not zero.

Supported By Displays

Freeze Channel

Overview

Outputs the Primary Input value as-is. In response to start/stop events, the output is be held at the input value when the freeze state was entered.

This is useful for example when freezing values at stage end in rallying.

Events

Start

Click the link to select an event that should put the channel into the freeze state.

Stop

Click the link to select an event that should take the channel out of the freeze state.

Supported By Displays

Fuel Channel

Overview

Fuel used trip meter - outputs the amount of a resource (e.g. fuel) used / remaining.

The Primary Input value is an absolute value of the used resource.

Effectively the Fuel Channel outputs the change in value since the first value is received or since a reset event.

Options

Fuel Level

Count down from the initial value to zero.

Fuel Used

Count up from the initial value.

Reset Value

If not checked then the reset value will be the initial input value.

Triggers

Reset

Configurable event to reset to the initial value or, if specified, the reset value.

Supported By Displays

Function (Lookup Table) Channel

Overview

Function tables are used for non-linear scaling; they ’look up’ the value of the ‘Primary Input’ in the table and result in the corresponding output value.

Settings

Interpolate

If the input falls between two values, linear interpolation is used to derive the output value.

Otherwise, the output will be stepped. This can be useful for resistive ladder type switches for e.g. page selector inputs.

Signed

If ‘signed’ is checked then raw input values are treated as twos-complement numbers.

Table Values

Editing

Enter values into the table by typing. There is an empty row at the end of the table for adding new values.

Rows may be inserted between other rows by selecting ‘Insert’ from the context menu (right-click on the grid).

The and buttons to the bottom right of the table may be used to add or remove rows.

Clipboard

Table values may be copied to / pasted from the clipboard in a spreadsheet compatible format. Right-click on the grid to show the context menu and select copy/paste.

Supported By Displays

If Channel

Overview

The If Channel uses two inputs. It passes the specified input through to the output if the conditional input is true non-zero.

Options

Value

The Primary Input, the value to pass through if the Condition input is non-zero.

Condition

An input channel that if non-zero allows the primary input value to be passed on to any derived outputs or gauges.

Supported By Displays

Integrator Channel

Overview

Integrator channels perform integration of the Primary Input, with respect to time (in seconds) to produce an output.

For example, it can be used to produce a distance output from a speed input.

Integration is effectively the area under a graph of the Primary Input on the y-axis plotted against time, in seconds, on the x-axis.

Primary Input Requirements

Integrator Channels require the Primary Input to be a rate per second (e.g. [m/s] or [m/s/s]).

Input units may be specified on the channel to ensure that an appropriate units conversion is made if the Primary Input is not with respect to seconds.

For example, if Primary Input is in units of [rpm], the input units could be set to [rps] to convert to revolutions per second for correct integration, producing a value of ‘revolutions’.

Supported By Displays

Linear (Scalar) Channel

Overview

This is one of the most commonly used channel types. The channel is scaled using a linear scaling equation y = mx + c - i.e a multiplier and offset.

Settings

Scalar

The multiplier value (m in y = mx + c).

Offset

Added to the value after applying the multiplier (c in y = mx + c).

Signed

If ‘signed’ is checked then raw input values are treated as twos-complement numbers.

Reciprocal

If ‘reciprocal’ is checked then the scaling equation takes the form y = (1 / x) * scalar + offset. If the input value is zero then the result will be the special floating point value NaN (Not a Number).

Graph

The graph shows the scaling relationship.

Minimum

Sets the minimum value to show on the X-axis of the graph. This has no effect on the setup when running on the display.

Maximum

Sets the maximum value to show on the X-axis of the graph. This has no effect on the setup when running on the display.

Calculation from Reference Values

If a pair of reference values for input vs output are available (e.g. from a sensor data-sheet), click the Calculate button () and enter in the values. Clicking OK will compute the scalar and offset required to fit the pair of points.

Supported By Displays

Maths Channel

Overview

Maths channels can be used to calculate values from one or more inputs using arithmetic and functions.

The equation entered for a maths channel is referred to as a ‘script’.

Script Entry

Type in the Maths Function area to enter in your script.

Below the script entry area, any errors in the script will be shown.

Above the script area are buttons for inserting channels, functions, operators and constants.

Whilst it is generally quicker to type scripts in by hand, the buttons offer a reminder of what’s available.

Input Variables

Input variables may be specified in maths scripts in the form $N where N is a number, e.g. $1 or $5. Up to 64 input variables may be specified.

If input variables are used then the inputs may be selected underneath the script entry area.

For example, to multiply two input variables together, you could write:

$1 * $2

Inline Channels

As an alternative to Input variables, channels can be specified directly in maths scripts using the channel name in single quotation marks.

e.g.

'Analog 01'

When typing a single quote character in the script editor, a list of channels will be shown for auto-completion.

Comments

Comments can be inserted in scripts and start with a # character. They continue to the end of the line. Scripts may span over multiple lines.

# This is a comment

Operators

1 + 2 * 3 # Multiplication takes precedence over addition so 2 is multiplied by 3 before adding 1.

On Change Channel

Overview

On Change Channels are used to monitor multiple input channels for changes.

If any of the input channels change, the value of the On Change output changes from 0 to 1.

This is useful for example, for monitoring mode switches; when one of the modes changes, the On Change output can be used as an event to trigger a jump to a page showing more information about the changing mode.

Options

Revert if no change after [s]

Once triggered, the On Change Revert shall be triggered after the Revert timeout has elapsed.

Initial delay after power on [s]

Following a power-up or system reset, the Initial Delay prevents the On Change channel from producing a value.

Remarks

When an On Change output is created, a hidden On Change Revert channel is created using the name of the On Change output with a _Revert suffix. This output is a logical not of the On Change channel and can be used to revert back to the original screen once the output has stopped changing.

Supported By Displays

Sensor Library Channel

Overview

Sensor Library Channels provide a library of sensor types that may be selected from.

Sensor Selection

Select a category from the drop-down box and the list of sensors will be filtered according to type (e.g. Pressure or RPM).

Select a sensor in the Sensor List to apply the scaling.

To the right of the sensor list, a description of the sensor will be shown, if available in the library.

Sensor Library File

The sensors.library file can be provided in XML format:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="yes" ?>
<sensor_library>
    <scalar category="Pressure" name="Type 1" multipler="3.5" offset="-1" input_units="voltage:V" units="pressure:psi">
        <notes><v:long_varstr>
            <!-- HTML description -->
        </v:long_varstr></notes>
    </scalar>
    <scalar category="Pressure" name="Type 2" multipler="2.5" offset="-0.5" input_units="voltage:V" units="pressure:psi">
        <notes><v:long_varstr>
            <!-- HTML description -->
        </v:long_varstr></notes>
    </scalar>

    <function category="AFR" name="AFR Gauge Type 1" input_units="voltage:V" units="afr:LA"> 
    <notes><v:long_varstr>
        <!-- HTML description -->
    </v:long_varstr></notes>
    <ft_iopair fti_double="0.00" fto_double="0.6"/>
    <ft_iopair fti_double="2.00" fto_double="1.0"/>
    <ft_iopair fti_double="3.00" fto_double="1.1"/>
    <ft_iopair fti_double="4.00" fto_double="1.2"/>
    <ft_iopair fti_double="5.00" fto_double="1.4"/>
  </function>
</sensor_library>

Text Channel

Overview

Text Channels look-up a textual representation for a given input value.

If the input has distinct values for each possible text value (i.e. an enumeration) then a list of value => text may be specified.

If the input has multiple bits to indicate active states then a set of masks with priority may be specified (Advanced Mode).

Adding / Removing Items

Use the and buttons to the bottom right of the list to add or remove rows.

There is also a blank row at the end of the list - entering values in the blank row will append a new entry.

The order of items may be adjusted with the and buttons.

Advanced Mode

In advanced mode, the list has 3 columns:

Bitmask

Value to mask (logical AND) with the input and if all the bits are set then the item is active.

Priority

If any items are active then the one with the ‘highest’ priority shall be shown. Lower numbers have a higher priority (e.g. Priority 0 overrides Priority 1).

Text

The text to display if the item is active.

Supported By Displays

Toggle Channel

Overview

Toggle Channels switch between 0 and 1 when a toggle event is received.

For example, it can be used to toggle the display between operating in MPH and KPH in response to a button push.

Options

Initial State

The initial output value of the channel before any toggle events have been received.

Triggers

Toggle

Click on the link to select an event that should cause the Toggle Channel to change state.

Supported By Displays