
		Glossary of Terms A : B : C : D : E : F : G : H : I : J : K : L : M : N : O : P : Q : R : S : T : U : V : W : X : Y : Z 802.11 A family of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless Local Area Networks(LAN). The 802.11 standard enables over-the-air data communications between a wireless PC and a base station or between two wireless PCs. There are several specifications in the 802.11 family of standards: 802.11 – the base spec that provides 1 or 2 Mbps transmission in the 2.4 GHz band. 802.11a – an extension that provides up to 54 Mbps in the 5GHz band. 802.11b (also referred to as 802.11 High Rate or Wi-Fi) – an extension that provides 11 Mbps transmission (with a fallback to 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps) in the 2.4 GHz band. This data throughput allows wireless functionality comparable to wired Ethernet. Eaton MD Tools uses this extension. 802.11g – an extension that provides 20+ Mbps in the 2.4 GHz band. A Accelerometer A sensor used to measure vibration. ALDL Assembly Line Diagnostic Link: a single-wire diagnostic link for GM vehicles built between 1982 and 1995. Lucas Varity/TRW (formally Kelsey-Hayes) still uses ALDL as their diagnostic link of choice. Until 1995, the standard ALDL connector was a 12-pin connector. ALDL applications after 1995 use a single wire routed to an unused pin on the standard diagnostic connector. Application A software program. Cat ET, Detroit Diesel Diagnostic Link, and Eaton MD-300 are examples of vehicle diagnostic applications. B C CAN Control Area Network. Comm Box Short for Communications Box: an interface between a diagnostic device and a vehicle. Communication Link A wire or a pair of wires that transits data between two vehicle components. Same as data link. Component A major vehicle subassembly such as an engine, transmission, clutch, brake system or driver display unit. Connector A two-part device that makes both a physical and an electrical link between two devices. In vehicle diagnostics, usually between a cable and a port on a device. D Data Link A wire or a pair of wires that transits data between two vehicle components. Same as communication link. Data Logger An electronic instrument that records and stores temperature, speed, pressure, on/off, open/closed, voltage, pressure and events measurements. Typically, data loggers are small, battery-powered computers with data storage capability. Diagnostic Link A wire or a pair of wires that carry signals between a vehicle component and a diagnostic tool. The diagnostic link typically terminates in the diagnostic connector that is located on the vehicle. Deutsch Connectors Type of diagnostics connectors on heavy and medium-duty vehicles, available in 6-pin and 9-pin configurations. The 6-pin is the standard connector on vehicles from 1996 to 2001. The 9-pin is the current standard for most OEMs. DTC Diagnostic Trouble Code. The DTC identifies the status of an electrical component. DTCs are used with OBDII on light-duty vehicles. E ECM Electronic Control Module. A housing mounted on a vehicle component that incorporates electronic circuitry and provides ports for electronic connections to and from the component. ECU Electronic Control Unit. A device that transmits electronic signals between vehicle components. F FMI Failure Mode Identifier. In a diagnostic fault code, the FMI describes the type of failure detected in the part identified by the PID or SID. The FMI, and either the PID or SID, combine to form a given diagnostic fault code. G H Heavy-Duty Class 7 and 8 vehicles that pull a trailer with a combined weight of over 19,501 pounds. I ISO 9141 One of several protocols used in the OBDII system implemented in 1996 for cars and light trucks. ISO 9141 is found most frequently on Chrysler and non-domestic manufactured vehicles. J J1587 The standard and predominant diagnostic protocol developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for heavy-duty and most medium-duty vehicles built after 1985. The J1587 protocol uses different diagnostic connectors. Up to 1995, individual OEMs used their own connectors. From 1996 to 2001, the 6-pin Deutsch was standard. Beginning in 2001, most OEMs converted to the 9-pin Deutsch. Some OEMs still use the 6-pin Deutsch. J1708 J1708 is the electronic layer that supports J1587. J1850 PWM One of several diagnostic protocols developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and used in the OBDII system on 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. J1850 PWM is found most frequently on vehicles manufactured by Ford Motor Company. J1850 VWM One of several diagnostic protocols developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and used in the OBDII system on 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. J1850 VWM is found most frequently on vehicles manufactured by General Motors. J1939 A recent diagnostic protocol developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and intended to be the industry-wide standard of the future. As of 2004, J1939 is in limited use by OEM suppliers as a diagnostic link. The standard J1939 connector is the 9-pin Deutsch. Java Java is a technology that allows small programs, known as "applets," to be embedded in web pages. K Keyword 2000/ ISO 14230 The Keyword 2000/ ISO 14230 specification is one of several protocols used in the OBDII system implemented in 1996 and newer cars and light trucks. Keyword 2000 is found most frequently on non-domestic manufactured vehicles. L Light-Duty Class 4 vehicles that are typically under 10,000 pounds. Light-duty vehicles include automobiles. Link tester A dedicated tool designed to isolate data signal problems on a communication or data link. M MD Mobile Diagnostics Medium-Duty Class 5 and 6 vehicles that pull a trailer with a combined weight below 19,500 pounds. MID Message Identification. In a diagnostic fault code, the MID is the initial number set that identifies the component. Examples: MID 128 = Engine MID 130 = Transmission MID 136 = Brakes (ABS) See also: PID, SID and FMI. N O OBD I On Board Diagnostics 1 is a diagnostic protocol developed by the Society of Engineers (SAE) for automobiles built between 1982 and 1995. In general, each OEM used a unique ODB I connector. OBD II On Board Diagnostic 2 is the current and standard diagnostic protocol developed for 1996 and later automobiles. OBD II replaces OBD I. OBD II has four basic versions: • J1850 PWM – Ford • J1850 VPW – GM • ISO 9141 – Chrysler • CAN 2004 vehicles The standard ODB II connector is a 16-pin. OE, OEM Original Equipment Manufacturer. P Packard Pre-1995 2-pin connector found on some heavy-duty vehicles. PC Personal Computer. PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International Association is an organization consisting of some 500 companies that developed a standard for small, credit card-sized devices, called PC Cards. PDA Personal Digital Assistant. A small, hand-held computing device. In Eaton Mobile Diagnostics, PDAs must run the Pocket PC Operating System. Eaton MD does not run on Palm Pilot PDAs. PGN Program Group Number or Program Group Name. The PGN identifies the data from a component. Examples: PGN 61441 = EBC1 = Electronic Brake Controller #1 PGN 61442 = ETC1 = Electronic Transmission Controller #1 PGN 61444 = EEC1 = Electronic Engine Controller #1 PGN 65215 = SERV = Service Information PID Parameter Identifier. In a diagnostic fault code, the PID Identifies the type of data parameter from the component. Examples: PID 084 = Road Speed (MPH) PID 100 = Engine Oil Pressure (PSI) PID 177 = Transmission Oil Temperature (Degrees) See also: MID, SID and FMI. Pocket PC Pocket PC is a type of operating system (OS) for a PDA. Other operating systems include Palm OS and Microsoft Windows CE. Protocol A data interchange standard developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) for vehicle diagnostics. Protocol refers to the computer language in which a component uses to communicate to a diagnostic tool. Examples: J1587 J1939 ALDL ISO 9141 J1850 VWM J1850 PWM Q R RF Radio Frequency. RP1202 A TMC (Technology and Maintenance Council) standard. RP1202 refers to DOS based software application compatibility RP1210a A TMC (Technology and Maintenance Council) standard. A software driver that interfaces a PC or PDA to a specific communication device like a Vehicle Link Adapter. RS-232 The nine pin, D-shaped connector commonly used for computer serial ports. S SAE Society of Automotive Engineers. Scanner, Scan Tool A handheld diagnostic tool that can monitor data, read fault codes, and clear fault codes. SID Status identification. In a diagnostic fault code, the SID identifies the status of a specific electrical part or subsystem. Examples: SID 001 = Injector Cylinder #1 (on/off) SID 034 = Reverse Switch (Open/Closed) SID 163 = Transmission Range (HI/LO) See also: MID, FID and FMI. StrongARM An Intel central processing unit for hand held devices. As of 2004, Intel has discontinued StrongARM and replaced it with X-Scale technology. T U V VLA Vehicle Link Adapter. The Vehicle Link Adapter serves as a data link between a PC or PDA and the vehicle communication box. W X-Y-Z X-Scale An Intel central processing unit technology for hand held devices.