Universal Engine Simulator

🔧 Engineering a Solution: The Evolution of Farasonn’s Universal Engine Dyno Simulator Since 2009, Farasonn has been developing and refining a universal simulation platform designed to run electronic engines outside of their original vehicle environments  specifically for dyno testing, ECM diagnostics, and throttle signal emulation.

Originally created to solve the costly and fragmented problem of OEM-specific throttle boxes, the Farasonn Universal Simulator has matured into a robust, multi-engine solution that supports a wide range of ECMs, CAN protocols, and engine types. It’s now trusted not only by engine rebuilders, dyno operators, and field technicians  but also by OEMs themselves for testing, calibration, and validation.

🚧 The Original Engineering Problem

  • Modern ECUs don’t function in isolation. To enable full power output during off-vehicle dyno testing, electronic engines typically require:
  • A valid ignition signal sequence
  • Simulated accelerator input (analog, PWM, or CAN  e.g., SAE J1939 TSC1)
  • Continuous CAN bus communication with required PGNs
  • Emulated sensor values or fault bypass logic
  • Access to OEM diagnostics for health monitoring and code clearing

But beyond these technical requirements, the operational burden was even more significant.

🔄 Legacy Approaches Were Costly and Risky

Method 1: ECM Recalibration
Technicians reflashed engines with alternate calibration files to enable dyno use. If they forgot to revert the file before installation, the engine often wouldn’t start in the original machine  resulting in costly removals and diagnostics.

Method 2: Ghost Vehicle Setup
Entire control systems from the donor machine (including body and chassis controllers) had to be recreated next to the dyno  essentially building a parallel vehicle just to “trick” the engine into operating. This was expensive, time-consuming, and often unstable.

Multi-Box Chaos

Workshops often kept 10–20 dedicated throttle boxes for different engines. This led to:
📉 High per-engine hardware costs
🧰 Ongoing maintenance headaches
📦 Cable storage and tracking complexity
🔁 No scalability

As a result, many rebuilders avoided full-load testing altogether, risking downstream failures and costly warranty claims.

🧠 Our Solution: Universal Throttle & Control Simulator

The Farasonn simulator replaces all of that with a single, configurable controller that simulates a vehicle’s entire engine control environment.

✅ Throttle Emulation

  • Analog (0–5V, 1–4V)
  • PWM signal outpu
  • J1939 TSC1 CAN throttle (configurable PGN/SA/priority)
  • Dual, inverted, and remote throttle modes

CAN Messaging Support

  • Injects PGNs such as 61444 (EEC1), 65262 (FD), 65265 (ET1)
  • Adjustable broadcast frequency
  • Source address spoofing

Preloaded Engine Profiles

  • Compatible with Cummins, JCB, CAT, Isuzu, Deutz, MTU, Perkins, John Deere
  • Profile selection via rotary dial and screen
  • Plug-and-play OEM-specific adaptor harnesses

Diagnostics Compatibility

  • Transparent CAN pass-through for tools like Nexiq, CAT ET, ServiceMaster
  • Standard 9-pin Deutsch diagnostic port
  • Status LEDs for ECM communication and fault status

Power & Safety Design

  • Independent 12V / 24V power domains
  • Surge and polarity protection
  • System-wide E-stop shutdown circuit
  • Full ignition logic emulation (Off → Key-On → Start)

🧳 Deployment Options
We offer two variants to fit your environment:

🔌 Dyno Cell Version

  • Fixed install
  • Suited for high-volume testing
  • Mounts into automated dyno bays or control cabinets
  • Industrial durability for long-term use

🧰 Field Portable Version

  • Compact, mobile enclosure
  • Deployed easily across locations and test sites
  • Ideal for mobile workshops, rebuilders, and R&D labs
  • Includes transport case and swappable harness system

💡 Business Benefits & Long-Term Value

🔄 One Box, Many Engines

  • Traditional: 1 engine = 1 test box
  • Farasonn: 1 simulator = many engines
  • Add new support by buying a harness (~15% of system cost)
  • Real-world customers save 65–80% over time

🧩 Modular & Scalable

  • Load a new profile → plug in harness → test
  • No additional control hardware required

📈 Growth-Ready

  • Enables smaller dyno operators to expand their engine offering
  • No capital burnout on custom boxes for each model

🛠 Reduced Overhead

  • One system to maintain
  • Unified UI means less training
  • Reduced failure points and downtime

🧪 Proven in the Field

The system has evolved through over 15 years of testing and integration across various industrial engine platforms.

Deployed With:

  • Major OEM facilities
  • Remanufacturing workshops
  • Independent dyno operators across Southern Africa

 

Successfully Running:

  • All CAN-dependent industrial engines
  • Continuous updates extend support across more OEM brands

Examples: JCB 672 DieselMax, Cummins QSM11, Isuzu 6HK1, CAT 3508, and more

🔧 Use Cases & Integration Scenarios

Use Case
Dyno validation
ECM reman testing
Diagnostic prep
Engine calibration
Workshop scaling

Description
Simulates vehicle-side logic during load testing
Verifies throttle control, outputs, and error logic
Enables OEM tool interface for off-vehicle fault tracing
Supports TSC1 map testing and RPM sweep tests
Adds engine support without needing new hardware

📦 Hardware & Design Highlights

  • Durable, color-labeled harnesses with keyed connectors
  • User-friendly menu interface with visual engine selection
  • Rugged, industrial-grade enclosures
  • Modular cable system with swappable adaptors
  • Compatible with standard bench power supplies (12V/24V)

 

🏁 Summary

The Farasonn Universal Engine Dyno Simulator is more than a throttle box — it’s a complete, programmable engine simulation system that bridges the gap between workshop and field, engine and dyno, technician and tool.

It enables technicians to:

  • Test smarter
  • Scale faster
  • Reduce cost and complexity across the board

Built on over 15 years of engineering refinement and trusted by OEMs and independent operators alike — this simulator is the smart backbone behind confident engine testing