Innovate Motorsports OT-1 - Manual (Page 3)

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1. Overview
The Innovate Motorsports OT-1 allows you to read up to 16 channels of “OBD-II” (“On Board
Diagnostic) information directly from your vehicle’s engine control unit (ECU) and integrate it into
an Innovate MTS (“Modular Tuning System”) “Log Chain”. An MTS Log Chain can be logged
(recorded) and analyzed on a personal computer using Innovate’s award winning LogWorks
software (included with the OT-1) or other 3rd party MTS compatible applications.
MTS Log Chains can also be recorded using stand-alone MTS compatible data-loggers, like
Innovate’s DL-32 data-logger and LM-2 handheld lambda meter with built-in data-logging. And
data channels from an MTS Log Chain can be displayed on MTS compatible gauges such as
Innovate’s XD-16 or on MTS compatible 3rd party multi-function in-vehicle displays (see
www.tuneyourengine.com for more details).
If you are the sort of person who already knows that “DTC” stands for Diagnostic Trouble Code
and does not flinch at the words “my ’01 Suburban has been throwing P1336 since I replaced the
CAS…” please feel free to move on to Chapter 2, “Installing the OT-1”. The remainder of this
chapter will be an introduction to some basic OBD-II and MTS concepts.
1.1 OBD-II
Again, OBD stands for “On Board Diagnostics”. It represents a collection of industry and
legislative standards for getting basic diagnostic information from passenger vehicles sold in the
US since MY (Model Year) 1996. The “II” means that this is the second attempt at standardizing
across all makes and models. Unlike most of Hollywood’s summer offerings, this sequel is, in
fact, an improvement over the original. Still, it can appear dauntingly complex to the uninitiated.
The reason for this seeming complexity is that OBD-II standardized what type of information
ECU’s must provide, but did not set a single standard on how the information should be
communicated (typically called a ‘Communication Protocol’ or just ‘Protocol’) or even the
electrical characteristics of the communication link itself (usually referred to as the ‘Physical
Communication Link’). Instead, the various car manufacturers were each allowed to keep using
their own existing protocols and physical links. We can see this compromise on the OBD-II
connector itself:
Pin Assignments:
1. -
9. -
2. J1850+ 10. J1850-
3. - 11. -
4. Chassis Ground 12. -
5. Signal Ground 13. -
6. CAN (J2284) High 14. CAN (J2284) Low
7. ISO 9141 K line 15. ISO 9141 L line
8. - 16. Battery Power
Note: Pins marked with ‘-‘ are sometimes used for make/model specific purposes.