Abstract: An apparatus for determining the validity of a data signal communicated between two microprocessors by a dual port RAM includes a sender for providing a data signal and an initialization status indicator and a dual port RAM in communication with the sender for receiving the data signal and the initialization status indicator. The RAM has a first location for storing the data signal and a second location for storing the initialization status indicator. The sender performs initialization on the RAM at the beginning of a data transfer cycle which includes a plurality of data transfer from the sender to a receiver. The sender updates the initialization status indicator as the initialization progresses. The receiver reads the initialization status of the RAM from the second location and subsequently reads the data signal from the first location in association with the initialization status of the RAM.

Abstract: A method includes diagnosing a solenoid circuit to determine if the circuit has begun to degrade. By measuring characteristics associated with the electrical waveform, it is determined if the characteristics of a solenoid circuit are different from the previously measured characteristics of the circuit, or of a known functioning circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the validity of a data signal communicated between two microprocessors by a dual port random access memory (RAM). The apparatus includes a sender for providing a data signal and an initialization status indicator, and a dual port RAM in communication with the sender for receiving the data signal and the initialization status indicator. The dual port RAM has a first memory location for storing the data signal and a second memory location for storing the initialization status indicator of the dual port RAM. The sender performs initialization on the dual port RAM at the beginning of a data transfer cycle which includes a plurality of data transfer from the sender to a receiver. The sender updates the initialization status indicator as the initialization progresses. The receiver of the apparatus is in communication with the dual port RAM. More particularly, the receiver reads the initialization status of the dual port RAM from the second memory location.

Abstract: A method is provided for using a dual port RAM to share data between microprocessors at high speed. By using status indicator flags, microprocessors are able to determine whether the data in memory is current and whether or not it had been utilized.

Abstract: A method is provided for diagnosing a solenoid circuit to determine if the circuit has begun to degrade. By measuring characteristics associated with the electrical waveform, it is determined if the characteristics of a solenoid circuit are different from the previously measured characteristics of the circuit, or of a known functioning circuit.

Abstract: A messaging system for a vehicle is disclosed. The messaging system includes a primary controller for transmitting and receiving information. The primary controller generates an array of data messages. A communication module is connected to the primary controller for receiving and storing the array of data messages in a memory. The communication module includes a sequencing controller for sequencing through the array of data messages and selecting individual data messages for transmission by the communication module. A data bus is connected to the communication module and provides a communication link between at least one additional vehicle node connected to the data bus.