KeyTurn Hardware:
Precision at the Edge
Engineering the OBD-II Device for Reliable Telemetry
and Secure Data Acquisition in Real-time.
Technical Specifications & Core Capabilities
The KeyTurn OBD-II device is built with a specific set of technical capabilities to ensure accurate, secure, and reliable operation within the demanding automotive environment.
Automotive Grade Durability
Built with automotive-grade components, the device is designed to withstand extreme temperatures (-40°C to +85°C), vibrations, and electrical fluctuations common in vehicle environments, ensuring long-term reliability and performance.
Processing Unit
Equipped with a low-power, high-performance microcontroller (MCU) optimized for embedded automotive applications. This MCU manages CAN bus communication, data processing, cryptographic operations, and power management, ensuring efficient and real-time operation with minimal latency.
Wireless Connectivity
An integrated multi-mode module with failover logic uses Bluetooth Low Energy for primary pairing, Wi-Fi secondary, LTE-M/NB-IoT tertiary. It ensures uninterrupted KeyTurn Cloud communication for ignition-triggered policy binding, secure PCI-DSS payment, and real-time certificate issuance with minimal data.
Integrated Sensors
Primary data acquisition focuses on ignition status, detected via specific voltage changes or CAN bus messages. An integrated GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) module provides precise location data for geo-fencing, risk profiling, and enhanced analytics, though not directly tied to per-second billing.
Power Management
Designed for ultra-low power consumption. The device intelligently enters sleep modes when the vehicle is off, minimizing battery drain. Wake-up on ignition events ensures immediate data capture upon vehicle startup, balancing continuous operation with vehicle battery health.
Hardware Security Module
Incorporates a dedicated hardware security module (HSM) for secure key storage, cryptographic operations (e.g., AES-256 encryption for data packets), and secure boot functionality. This prevents tampering, ensures firmware authenticity, and protects data integrity from the edge.
The KeyTurn OBD-II Device:
The Foundation of MicroLiability
At the core of KeyTurn's per-second MicroLiability solution is our custom-engineered On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) device. This compact, robust hardware acts as the critical edge node, meticulously acquiring precise vehicle data. Engineered for unparalleled accuracy, security, and seamless integration, it ensures reliable, real-time ignition status detection and telemetry transmission directly from the vehicle.
Internal Architecture:
A Glimpse Inside the Edge Device
Understanding the internal components of the KeyTurn OBD-II device reveals the meticulous engineering behind its precision and security. Each module plays a critical role in data acquisition and secure transmission.
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Data Acquisition & Secure Transmission
The reliability of KeyTurn's per-second billing hinges on the precise and secure capture and transmission of vehicle data. Our process ensures that every ignition event is accurately recorded and sent to the cloud platform with integrity.
The Edge Data Pipeline
From the vehicle's internal network to the cellular tower,
data is meticulously handled through a series of secure steps.
OBD-II Port Connection:
Physical interface to vehicle's CAN bus.
Ignition Event Detection:
MCU monitors voltage/CAN signals for ON/OFF state changes.
Timestamping & Data Packet Creation:
Millisecond-accurate timestamping; data packet includes device ID, ignition state, duration.
Encryption & Authentication:
Data encrypted using AES-256; digitally signed by HSM for authenticity.
Cell phone communication:
New energy efficient connectivity module for a reliable app connection
Intelligent Power Management:
Always On, Always Efficient
A critical aspect of any connected automotive device is its power consumption. KeyTurn's OBD-II device is engineered with sophisticated power management strategies to ensure continuous operation without impacting the vehicle's battery life, even during extended periods of inactivity.
Optimized Power Cycling
The device dynamically adjusts its power state based on vehicle activity. When the ignition is ON, it operates in full power mode for real-time data capture and transmission. When the ignition is OFF, it transitions into an ultra-low-power sleep mode, drawing minimal current (e.g., microamps). An integrated accelerometer or direct CAN bus monitoring triggers an instant wake-up upon vehicle movement or ignition ON event, ensuring no data is missed at startup. This intelligent power cycling extends battery life and ensures the device is always ready to provide coverage when needed.
Quality Assurance & Rigorous Testing
KeyTurn's commitment to reliability extends to a comprehensive quality assurance program.
Our OBD-II devices undergo rigorous testing to ensure performance, durability,
and security in real-world conditions.
Environmental
Testing
Devices are subjected to extreme temperature cycles, humidity, and vibration tests to simulate harsh automotive environments. This ensures the hardware maintains its integrity and performance under varying climatic and road conditions, from Canadian winters to summer heat waves.
Functional & Security
Validation
Each device undergoes extensive functional testing to verify accurate ignition detection, data timestamping, and secure transmission. Security validation includes penetration testing, fuzzing, and anti-tamper mechanism verification to ensure the device's resilience against cyber threats and unauthorized manipulation of data or firmware.