New Technologies
By Todd Ramsey
Ramsey Consulting Group Inc.

These days, technology in both consumer electronics and automotive electronics are advancing at a rapid pace, almost too fast to keep up. While speakers still need to be installed and constructing custom enclosures for subwoofers continue to be a part of the installation job, there are many new technologies in the field that are changing the face of the job and necessitating enhancements to the skill set to keep pace. How connected have you been with the progress in the install bay?

Electrical Measurement and Diagnostic Tools
With an ongoing move toward automotive electronic control units fed by various sensors and signals, the necessity for specialized tools is evident. New technologies like low-voltage sensor signals (whether PWM or variable voltage), data-bus triggers and commands, or even the user interface changes (e.g., push button starting instead of a traditional key switch) are all evidence that your tools should be supporting the automotive technology in the vehicles you repair or upgrade. A good Digital Multimeter (DMM) is a start, but specialty installation shops should also have a Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) and an OBD-II compliant scan and reset tool. These tools are paramount to be able to decipher what the vehicle is “telling you” in the way of problem diagnosis or how a circuit works so that it can be interfaced properly with aftermarket equipment. While these tools are not necessarily new, the technology of utilizing more and more electronic control modules in the vehicle require today’s installation technician to be even more prepared for the challenges that lie ahead. There will come a day when “hooking up wires” is simply not enough to tackle the job.

File Compression
Nearly all types of music delivered over the Internet or via wireless transmission incorporate some type of file compression. The question for many people is, “can I hear the difference?” If you have not really played around with file compression yourself, it’s difficult to know the difference of file types, let alone the degree of compression when it relates to devices you are installing in the car. Everything from CD players that play “burned” CD-R’s with MP3 or WMA files to Apple iPods that have AAC to Apple Lossless file formats or even the many channels of digital music available on satellite radio falls under the “file compression” umbrella. Even if you are not a big user of compressed digital music, it should not inhibit you from learning more about the technology. Your customers certainly expect you to know about file formats and they will be the first to complain when their 800 songs jammed on to a burned CD-R do not sound good with their new speakers and amplifier. You have to remember that mobile electronic equipment can only amplify and project the sound of the source material, which could mean suggesting that your customers utilize different file formats and/or compression schemes.

Traffic Services
Speaking of satellite radio, both satellite radio providers (i.e., XM and Sirius) now offer traffic notification services that are practically real time. The vast majority of publicly reported traffic information in a region can be set to display and interact with many of today’s aftermarket navigation products. The benefit is that navigation systems now have an extra selling feature for many “hometown” users who, in the past, didn’t see a need for these products. After all, they say, “I’ve lived in this town for 20 years and I already know where everything is.” These days, having up to the minute traffic, accident, and road closure data interfacing with your navigation system is essential for the people who need to get where they are going in the most efficient manner, regardless of how well they may know the streets. Both satellite radio providers charge a monthly fee for this additional service and the aftermarket navigation equipment must support the traffic services features.

Bluetooth
The name Bluetooth is all over the place, but many people do not realize that it is, in many cases, much more than just talking wirelessly on your mobile phone. Bluetooth is a short range communications link between compatible devices that allows up to 30 feet of range in the “profile” that the devices share. This could be voice, data, two-channel full range audio, video, or a number of other profiles. Rockford’s 3Sixty processor links via Bluetooth to a Palm Pilot for adjustments and programming. Scosche’s iPod adapter allows Bluetooth wireless audio to a receiver behind the dash for full range alternatives to wired adapters. There are many enhanced Bluetooth wireless hands free kits from Parrot, Motorola and others that have text or even photo recognition of the caller. In the future, Bluetooth will likely be part of your scan tools and vehicle diagnostic equipment. Overall, Bluetooth has many applications that are not limited to just talking on the phone so be sure to stay up-to-speed on what applications create opportunity for you in the installation bay!