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17/09/2026 by Kvaser

Diagnostic Precision at Scale: How ECM uses Kvaser Memorator to monitor electric bus fleets

Diagnostic-Precision-at-Scale-How-ECM-uses-Kvaser-Memorator-to-monitor-electric-bus-fleets

Challenge

A fleet of new, fully electric buses were unexpectedly immobilizing, with no clear cause. Faced with an elusive issue that could stem from either a malfunctioning powertrain or incorrect driver operation, Electronic Control and Measurement, ECM AB, an engineering consultancy and supplier of advanced hardware and software tools, was asked to suggest a solution to systematically uncover the root cause. Given that a single breakdown could cost as much as equipping an entire fleet with diagnostic tools, precision and scalability were key requirements from the new diagnostics system.

Solution

ECM’s solution was to mount a Kvaser Memorator Pro 5xHS in the rear panel of the vehicle to capture and log data from all five CAN buses in the system. The customer, confident in the Kvaser Memorator’s reliability and low per-channel cost, chose to standardize deployment across all vehicles instead of targeting only problematic cases. This ensured consistent coverage and minimized diagnostic gaps.

Key attributes included:

Ease of setup: Engineers praised the plug-and-play simplicity: just plug in, set the baud rate, and go.
Durability: With its compact form factor[OH1.1], the Kvaser Memorator can be placed virtually anywhere, reducing installation constraints.
Compatibility: The Memorator Configuration Tool enables the export of raw CAN data in .BLF and .MDF4 formats, which can be analyzed in the customer’s software tool of choice (see below).
Workflow fit: Engineers already familiar with Kvaser hardware [OH2.1]and software used TeamViewer to securely transfer data for centralized analysis, eliminating the complexity and cost of cloud-based storage while streamlining internal approvals.
Simplicity: Wi-Fi and 4G connectivity weren’t necessary, as the existing workflow already allowed engineers to retrieve data manually once the bus returned to the depot. This approach kept the solution simple, avoiding added complexity and cost.

Oskar Hellsten, chief operating officer at ECM AB commented:

“Simplicity and reliability were key. Once installed, the Kvaser Memorators captured valuable data during faults, ready for analysis as soon as the bus returned to the depot. With ample storage, dependable extraction, and strong support and delivery, we met the customer’s needs, on time and within budget.”

Conclusion

With several hundred Memorators installed per year, ECM’s team together with the customer, has captured a complete picture of bus behavior, aiding fault isolation and minimizing downtime.

Looking to the future

In the existing setup, Memorator Configuration Tool software is used to configure ‘silent mode’ operation, thus preventing the Memorator from transmitting on the CAN bus. A ‘silent mode’ hardware version, designed for production models to comply with new R155 EU cybersecurity regulations, is an alternative to software-implemented silent mode.

Kvaser provides OEM-grade devices with distinct EANs and labeling, enhancing traceability for fleet management applications – and simplifying device handling for ordering, vehicle installation, and verification.

The Kvaser Memorator Pro 5xHS is available in housed and a non-housed, circuit board version that extends opportunities for embedded applications. To view Kvaser’s CAN logger portfolio, visit this page.

Tool Name Provider File Support (.BLF/.MDF4) Key Features Workflow Fit

CANLab

 Accurate Technologies Yes Log visualization, strip-chart analysis, protocol decoding (J1939, CCP/XCP), offline replay Engineering analysis of recorded CAN data, troubleshooting, vehicle development
CANLogViewer emotas Yes Log visualization, CANopen and J1939 decoding, signal-level analysis, protocol-aware interpretation Industrial and embedded CAN log review, protocol troubleshooting

CanKing 7

 Kvaser AB Yes Log replay, DBC-based decoding, message filtering, J1939 interpretation, real-time and offline analysis Quick inspection and validation of Memorator recordings, CAN diagnostics

DiagRA® X

 RA Consulting GmbH Yes MDF4 recording review, advanced visualization, signal analysis, event-based data investigation Detailed analysis of measurement logs, validation and engineering investigations

CANtrace

 TKE Engineering Yes Log replay, message filtering, DBC decoding, lightweight trace analysis Fast review of field logs, fault isolation, service diagnostics

X-Analyser

 Warwick Control Yes DBC decoding, J1939/CANopen interpretation, multi-channel log analysis, signal plotting Heavy-duty vehicle log analysis, fleet and off-highway diagnostics

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