VIMSTM 3G has the following features.
VIMS 3G allows download of data from the ECM through VIMSpc or over the air.
Download via Ethernet - Downloads stored data on the machine through an ethernet connection.
Download Data via CANip Radio (TC 900) - Retrieves download files, real-time events, and polled parameters wirelessly over the CANip TC900 radio.
Download Data via Telemetry - Downloads real-time events wirelessly over the telemetry radio.
This feature provides the ability for resetting the short-term settable data.
Dataloggers record all or select channels of parameter data for a set amount of time and provide a downloadable file for later analysis. Dataloggers can be initiated either through outside action or through a parameter condition being met. The Datalogger memory may be downloaded and reset via Cat® Electronic Technician (Cat ET), after which the cleared Datalogger memory is available for use.
Datalogger includes:
- Continuous data recorder
- Standard datalogger
- Standard snapshot
Continuous Data Recorder - Provides the capability to record data from all configured channels in a continuous loop. This recorder is configured at Caterpillar and is not field configurable. This recorder is activated on machine startup and deactivated on machine shutdown. Upon machine shutdown and restart, the continuous data recorder does not lose data and continues recording where the previous recording stopped. At the end of the time loop, the data is over-written starting with the oldest data. The continuous data recorder is not intended for regular maintenance download. However, the continuous data recorder can be stopped or written to a file for download when needed.
Event - Data-driven feature of VIMS 3G that is activated when one of the following occurs:
- Configured condition is detected
- A threshold is reached
- VIMS 3G receives certain event messages from other ECMs on the data-link
Diagnostics - System-driven events generated by the VIMS 3G ECM or transmitted to the VIMS 3G ECM from other ECMs. Diagnostics are in the MID-CID-FMI format and treated as other events with regards to event logging and storage.
Event Active List (EAL) - VIMS 3G lists VIMS 3G ECM events and diagnostics as well as the events and diagnostics of other ECMs. This list can be downloaded by Cat ET to get a picture of what is occurring on the machine at the current moment. The list contains the following information:
- Event identification (EID)
- Date/time stamp
- Acknowledge time
- Acknowledge count
- Worst case value
- Trigger value, if applicable
Event Chronological List (ECL) - VIMS 3G keeps a list of all the events that have occurred from a point in the past to the current time. This list is limited by the size allocated for the list storage. VIMS 3G keeps all of the previous events that there is room for and overwrite the oldest data when the list is full. This list can be downloaded by Cat ET or by Advisor display via the data links. The following parameters are stored in the ECL:
- Event identification (EID)
- WCI/FMI
- Date/Time stamp
- Service hour meter
- Acknowledge time
- Acknowledge count
- Event duration
- Deactivate time
- Worst case value
- Trigger value, if applicable
Counters of parameter value data collected and stored into pre-defined and configured intervals. Histograms can be conditional prior to the data being collected, the condition is established during configuration. Histogram data can be downloaded for further analysis and can be reset. Histograms and component life tracking are possible.
Provides different levels of access to various information stored on the ECM, this information may include calibrations and target weights. Access to the level of information and authorized users can be defined.
Allocate memory by priority and provide protected memory spaces for snapshot/datalogger storage. Available memory can be reallocated to other storage requirements.
VIMS 3G can respond to other ECMs or on-board devices over the data links. VIMS 3G supports the following protocols:
- Standard parameter broadcast
- Parameter group broadcast
- Asynchronous data transfer
Following are the forms of communication:
- Transmit to ECMs on condition
- Transmit to ECMs on interval
- Poll ECMs for values
Transmit to ECMs on Condition - Provides data to an external device on or off the machine if a configured condition is activated. Examples include events or diagnostics flashing to the screen when a condition is activated.
Transmit to ECMs on Interval - Provides data to an external device on or off the machine at a set interval. Examples include necessary calibration steps or master real-time-clock updates.
Poll ECMs for Values - Provides the capability to request the values of the parameters supported by other ECMs over the data links. VIMS 3G supports the following protocols:
- Parameter read
- Event and diagnostic data transfer
- Block data transfer
Request Data from External Device on Condition - Requests data from an external device on the machine when activated by a condition.
Write Parameters on Request - Write the VIMS 3G parameters on request from other ECMs or on-board devices over the data links. VIMS 3G supports the following protocols:
- Parameter write
- Parameter override
Listen to ECMs for Message Broadcast - Monitors other ECMs messages sent over the data links. VIMS 3G Main ECM will pick up the useful ones such as diagnostic codes and EIDs. VIMS 3G supports the following protocols:
- Event and diagnostic data transfer
- Event and diagnostic codes one at a time only
- Event codes protocol
- Diagnostic codes protocol
VIMS 3G records an operator ID and makes the operator ID available to other systems on the machine. VIMS 3G stamps the following data:
- Start/stop times
- Productivity
- Events
- Logged parameters with the operator ID associated with that data
The graphical display associates the operator ID with an operator profile. This association allows the following:
- Display preferences
- Operational performance limitations
- Other particular operator features
- Other set of operators features
- Other type of machine features
- Other work site sector features
A site can manage and control the amount of profile customization available to the operator. Customization includes language, display, and implement controls. The customized information is displayed on the Advisor display.
VIMS 3G provides VIMS generated parameter values to any system that requests the parameters. These VIMS accessible parameter values can be viewed in real time through external interfaces connected to VIMS 3G.
Configurable Parameter Reporting - Provides a dynamic data logging and reporting mechanism within the VIMS 3G Main ECM. The VIMS 3G Main ECM can request, collect, and report data from other ECMs on the machine based on configurations from the off-board office system. The VIMS 3G Main ECM can support configurations for single one-time requests, cumulative capturing and scheduled reporting of the cumulative data, and time-based parameter monitoring. The time-based parameter reporting is limited to the total during each hour of the day (maximum 24 buckets).
Productivity is the efficiency which the machine and operator are producing an output given an input. Machine and operator productivity can be measured in many ways. VIMS 3G records productivity parameters as defined and calculates productivity output. Productivity measurements require data such as cycle times, operating gear, loaded, not loaded, stopped, and engine speed. These metrics also include reasons for productivity delays. Custom productivity and utilization measurements can be calculated, with the parameters.
Provides a method to upgrade the functionality of VIMS 3G in the field. Software enabled attachments (SEAs) provide a mechanism for Cat to enable software already present on an ECM using the Caterpillar Factory Password System.
VIMS 3G software consists of the following two basic components:
- Source code
- Configuration
Source Code - The core of the software that defines all the logics and structures.
Configuration - Contains the customized values and tables developed by configuration developer to meet the individual customer requirements.
Developer Created VIMS-3G Configuration - Provides flexibility of the VIMS 3G software. Allows the same code to be used for different machine applications with customized configurations for each model developed by the VIMS 3G configuration development tool.
VIMS 3G, with off-board service and configuration tools, allows a user to modify select parameters during configuration, then upload that configuration to the machine. A configuration produced off-board can be uploaded to multiple machines in a fleet. Configuration entry boundaries are adjustable and can be set by developers if requested by the operators.
Users can view, store, and clear shift totals for productivity data. This action will not affect the permanent memory that is stored for later download. The data includes data such as total cycles, total distance, and total operational time. This data is often recorded by the operator at the end of each shift.
Lifetime Totals - Totals of either durations or counts. The lifetime totals are stored for download and may require a condition to be reached prior to being recorded. The condition is established during configuration. Lifetime totals are not normally reset.
Resettable Totals - Totals of either durations or counts. The resettable totals may require a condition to be reached prior to being recorded. The condition is established during configuration. Resettable totals can be viewed, reset onboard, and downloaded.
Trends are data collected and stored based on parameter values over time. The individual data points are values calculated by taking the average, maximum, and/or minimum of the parameter values over a defined period. The intervals and calculated value are established in the configuration. Trends will begin recording based on an activation condition and can be downloaded and reset.
This feature provides the ability for real-time data to be monitored through the display module on the machine or from Cat ET.