A Universal Diagnostic Platform for the Heavy Truck Industry-Background and Overview

The migration of electronically controlled components to the heavy truck necessitates equally as sophisticated computers in the service area to diagnose and isolate the faults identified by the component and posted via the SAE Recommended data link (currently J1708). To date our industry's component manufacturers have taken a direction of developing unique “manufacturer specific” computerized diagnostic technologies. This paper: (a) outlines an alternative uniform technical environment, referred to as the Universal Diagnostic Platform for the Heavy Truck Industry, (b) covers the background leading up to this recommendation, (c) states the current status of industry wide activity related to this topic and (d) makes recommendations to the industry.