Main Page > General Information > Usage scenarios > DIGITAL TACHOGRAPH MONITORING

Project description

Millions of trucks roam highways and roads each and every day delivering goods far and wide in our planet. Logistics industry is strictly regulated in most parts of the world and especially in Europe, where digitization of tachographs is mandatory. This makes it a perfect scene for the implementation of remote data download and monitoring solution.

We glad that you decide to test our “Digital tachograph monitoring” solution.

Here you will find how to prepare and to test this solution.

What you need for a solution?

The first component of our solution is a device from Teltonika’s Professional devices family:

FMB640

FM6300

FMC640

FMM640

Any of these devices can receive tachograph and driver card files (.DDD, TGD, .V1B .C1B formats), tacho live data, and enriched Tacho/FMS data (TachoCAN) from digital tachograph via the same CAN line – it makes installation even easier. Also, the devices are capable of reading live data from digital tachograph via the K-line connection. You can find detailed instructions of installation in the user manual of the related device.

The next component is software dedicated to downloading and administrating digital tachograph files. There are two ways to do it. You can use special Web Tacho application from Teltonika or develop your own software. In case you choose the latter scenario, you will be provided with a special communication protocol, which you will use when developing software solution. In case you choose Teltonika Web Tacho solution, you will be able to use our server or have application installed on your side. Either way, you are ready to go. One of the biggest advantages of using Teltonika Web Tacho application is that after the initial setup you will later receive files and data automatically.

Moreover, with the help of additional accessory Tacho Front Panel Cable you will be able to read data from the minibuses that work on 12V system. Activate the front panel interface on tachograph, connect the cable and you are ready to go.


Mounting recommendations

Connecting wires:

  • Wires should be connected while the module is not plugged in.
  • Wires should be fastened to stable wires or other non-moving parts. Any heat emitting and/or moving objects should be kept away from the wires.
  • There should be no exposed wires. If factory isolation was removed while connecting wires, the isolation material should be applied.
  • If the wires are placed in the exterior or in places where they can be damaged or exposed to heat, humidity, dirt, etc., additional isolation should be applied and the wires should not be loose.
  • Wires cannot be connected to the board computers or control units.


Connecting power source:

  • Be sure that after the car computer goes to sleep mode, power might be still available on the power wires. Depending on car, this may happen in 5 to 30 minutes period.
  • When module is connected, measure voltage again to make sure it did not decrease.
  • It is recommended to connect to the main power cable in the fuse box.
  • 3 A, 125 V external fuse shall be used.


Connecting ignition wire:

  • Be sure to check if it is a real ignition wire i. e. power does not disappear after starting the engine.
  • Check if this is not an ACC wire (when key is in the first position, most of the vehicle electronics are available).
  • Check if power is still available when you turn off any of vehicles devices.
  • Ignition is connected to the ignition relay output. As alternative, any other relay, which has power output when ignition is on, may be chosen.


Connecting ground wire:

  • Ground wire is connected to the vehicle frame or metal parts that are fixed to the frame.
  • If the wire is fixed with the bolt, the loop must be connected to the end of the wire.
  • For better contact scrub paint from the spot where loop is going to be connected.


  || NOTE: PAY ATTENTION! Connecting the power supply must be carried out in a very low impedance point of on-board vehicle network. These points in the car are the battery terminals. Therefore, we recommend connecting the power of FMB640 (GND and POWER wires) directly to the battery terminals. Another valid option is to connect the wires to the main POWER cable inside the fuse box (if there is none, then to the power supply where the fuses of vehicle’s computer are), GND wire must be connected in a special point, designed to connect GND vehicle computer. Connecting the GND at an arbitrary point to the mass of the car is unacceptable, as static and dynamic potentials on the line GND will be unpredictable, which can lead to unstable FMB640 operation and even its failure.