Frequently Asked Questions about NOx Sensor Module Kits
Q: What software tools do I need to use the NOx Sensor Toolkit?
A:After purchasing the NOx sensor module kit, customers receive a user ID and password to Drivven's software download portal website where an executable installer file can be downloaded. The installer will place both a fixed executable program (for USB only) and a top-level-open-source example LabVIEW project for the NOx sensor module kit (USB and cRIO) in the ProgramFiles\Drivven directory.
If using the fixed executable for USB, you will need to download and install the following:
1.) LabVIEW 8.6 (or higher) Runtime Engine. See our download page for a link.
2.) NI CAN 2.6.3 device drivers. See our download page for a link.
The user manual provides information about running the fixed executable which displays the latest NOx ppm, O2 % and plots a buffered history of results. It also allows saving the buffer to a spreadsheet file.
If the user wants to further develop the application or integrate it with a larger LabVIEW DAQ application, then LabVIEW development tools are required.
For USB:
LabVIEW 8.6 (or higher) Base development system
NI CAN 2.6.3 device drivers. See our download page for a link.
For cRIO:
LabVIEW 8.6 (or higher) Full/Professional Development System
LabVIEW 8.6 (or higher) RT Module
LabVIEW 8.6 (or higher) FPGA Module
Q: Will the NOx Sensor Toolkit work with other NI CAN devices or only the USB-8473 and NI-9853 devices?
A:Probably. When using the cRIO portion of the toolkit, then only the NI-9853 or NI-9852 CAN modules will work, because it interfaces via the cRIO FPGA chassis. However, the "USB" software should recognize any CAN device that is recognized by the NI-CAN device drivers. For example, any of the USB CAN device family should work (847X) just as well as the USB-8473. We make the 8473 part of the kit because it is the lowest cost USB device. PCI, PCMCIA and PXI CAN devices should also be recognized, but have not been tested.
Q: Will the NOx Sensor Toolkit work with RT?
A:It depends. The cRIO version, since it is targeted to cRIO, works with RT because cRIO controllers run LabVIEW RT. The cRIO version also has an FPGA component which is part of the cRIO example application. The USB version will run on windows or RT. However, when used with a USB device, then only Windows is supported. If used with PCI or PXI CAN devices, then RT is supported also.
Q: Do you also have an Ammonia (NH3) sensor available?
A: Sort of. The Continental Uninox Smart NOx sensor supplied with our kit will sense NH3 molecules similarly to NOx molecules. The sensor output for NOx ppm is really a total ppm for NOx and NH3. Therefore, to sense NH3, one would have to be certain that there is no NOx in the gas being sensed. At this time we do not have available a NH3-only sensor.
Q: If I already have a Uninox Smart NOx Sensor from Continental (5WK96622A), can I get the other parts of your toolkit without the sensor? What if I just need a sensor, bung, or connector kit?
A: Yes, please contact us for a quote
Q: I have a NOx sensor which looks like the one Drivven provides in their kit. I got it from "such and such" vehicle, made by "so and so". Can I use this sensor with the Drivven kit?
A: Probably not. The Drivven NOx software toolkit is only compatible with the Continental Uninox Smart NOx Sensor having a part number of 5WK96622A. There are many additional Continental NOx sensor modules, found in various OEM engine applications, which communicate over CAN. They likely have a different part number, which means they will not be compatible with this kit because each of the OEM sensors are programmed with proprietary communication protocols. Drivven cannot support those sensors. The NOx sensor modules provided by Drivven are engineering samples procured directly from Continental. If you already have the correct sensor module, then you may purchase the NOx sensor module kit without the included sensor module. Please contact Drivven for a quote.
Q: Can I purchase only the NOx sensor and follow the datasheet to implement the CAN communication protocol with my own CAN device?
A: Yes. Contact Drivven for a quote. However, we cannot support interfacing the sensor to any other devices with any other software.
