Mastering Vehicle Diagnostics: Leveraging the Raptor UDS Advanced Library for Efficient OBD Integration

Diagnostics are at the heart of every forward-thinking automotive project. Whether it’s ensuring legislative compliance, delivering customer-facing features, or future-proofing for connected technologies, mastering On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) is a strategic imperative. For controls engineers diving into modern vehicle architectures, efficient integration of advanced diagnostic protocols is no longer a nice-to-have—it's a necessity.

At EMB Power, we engage daily with British and European engineers navigating this very challenge: how to seamlessly implement robust, standards-compliant diagnostics in new EV, hybrid, and autonomous platforms using Raptor ECUs and toolchains. In this in-depth guide, we share our perspective and practical know-how on leveraging the Raptor UDS Advanced Library to streamline OBD integration for long-term success.

Understanding the Need: Why UDS Now Defines Next-Gen OBD

The evolution from legacy OBD-II protocols to Unified Diagnostic Services (UDS, ISO 14229) mirrors the increasing complexity and expectations placed on today’s vehicles. Conventional OBD protocols have simply reached their limits; there’s no longer the space or flexibility to meet modern regulatory, commercial, and technical demands. UDS replaces this bottleneck by delivering:

• Universal reach—supporting legislated emissions diagnostics and OEM-specific, proprietary data flows.
• Future-proofed service sets—from basic checks to advanced session and security management (e.g., Diagnostic Session Control, Security Access, Calibration Data Transfer).
• Multilayer transport support—e.g., CAN and (increasingly) Ethernet/IP, essential for both conventional and software-defined vehicle networks.
• Enhanced security—addressing increasing threats and the rise of over-the-air updates and remote diagnostics.

Meet the Raptor UDS Advanced Library: Designed for Controls Engineers

We recognise that modern powertrain and system architects require a toolset that reduces friction, speeds up development, and avoids time-consuming manual coding. The Raptor UDS Advanced Library, used within Raptor ECUs and Simulink workflows, stands out for several reasons:

• Block-based implementation: Drag-and-drop building blocks in Simulink for configuring UDS services, not raw code—slashing engineering effort.
• Wide protocol support: Out-of-the-box compliance with UDS (ISO 14229), Diagnostics over IP (ISO 13400), and OBD (ISO 15031) on CAN and Ethernet.
• Integrated security features: Built-in authentication and restricted access to sensitive operations through Security Access services.
• High-throughput and accuracy: Capabilities support advanced bench testing and automotive HIL environments where diagnostic message rates and precision matter.

Step-by-Step: Implementing Efficient OBD with Raptor UDS Advanced Library

Let’s take a practical journey through the process of integrating advanced OBD using the Raptor UDS Advanced Library and ECUs. This path mirrors how our customers progress, from initial scoping to on-vehicle rollout.

1. Define System Architecture and Requirements

• Map out which Raptor ECUs are in the system (e.g., GCM70, GCM112).
• Specify diagnostic requirements. What information must be available over OBD for regulatory certification, fleet servicing, or end-user features?
• Establish required security/access control. Which operations (e.g., firmware update, parameter writing) require authentication?

2. Configure Diagnostic Services in Simulink

• Open your Raptor-based Simulink model and add UDS service blocks from the UDS Advanced Library palette.
• Configure Read Data by Identifier services for every required data item—such as battery voltage, temperature, or DTCs for an EV powertrain.
• Utilise Security Access blocks to wrap sensitive routines, ensuring alignment with regulatory and OEM security demands.
• Take advantage of calibration/diagnostics blocks for seamless ECU parameter tuning and updates via OBD tools.

3. Network and Hardware Integration

• Raptor ECUs natively support CAN (standard and CAN FD where available) and Ethernet, facilitating flexible in-vehicle networking.
• Assign UDS sessions to appropriate CAN IDs or Ethernet ports, aligning with your system architecture.
• Connect compatible HMIs and diagnostic accessories, like the Raptor VeeCAN 128 Display for on-vehicle data viewing.

4. Validate, Test, and Iterate

• Employ the built-in test modes provided by the UDS Advanced Library, allowing for realistic simulation and validation of all diagnostic pathways.
• Utilise tools such as Raptor-Cal or compatible industry software (Vector, ATI Vision supported) for calibration and verification.
• Embrace HIL and bench setups to stress-test diagnostic traffic and ensure smooth interaction with aftersales diagnostic tools.

5. Deploy, Maintain, and Update

• Deploy firmware through secure, UDS-compliant routines, supporting both in-depot and over-the-air strategies as supported by your platform.
• Set up system monitoring and diagnostics logging for ongoing maintenance, field support, and compliance audits.
• Future-proof your architecture—when regulations or product demands shift, new or extended UDS services can be added as Simulink blocks, minimising rework and downtime.

Common Questions from Controls Engineers

• Is the Raptor UDS Advanced Library restricted to a single hardware platform?
  No. The library is designed for use across the entire Raptor ECU ecosystem, including both general control and specialist modules. It works seamlessly with compatible displays and HMIs as well.
• How do I ensure my implementation is regulatory-ready?
  By mapping out all emissions-relevant data and testing compliance scenarios using real-world OBD tools, in concert with our engineering team. You can rely on Raptor’s proven building blocks to configure and validate these workflows efficiently.
• Am I locked into Raptor-specific calibration tools?
  Not at all. While Raptor-Cal provides an optimal workflow, the Raptor toolchain is compatible with widely-used industry tools, supporting open standards and flexibility.

Why EMB Power?

We’re more than a product channel; we’re technical partners to some of the UK’s most demanding controls teams. We not only supply the technology—with the Raptor UDS Advanced Library here—but also provide domain expertise for architecture planning, blockset configuration, and rollout support, keeping your project on time and audit-ready. We have real-world engineering experience in automotive, off-highway, and industrial domains, making us uniquely suited to guide OBD and UDS integrations from sim to street.

Ready to Optimise Your Vehicle Diagnostics?

Making the transition to a UDS-first diagnostic architecture doesn’t need to be daunting. By leveraging the Raptor UDS Advanced Library and our UK-based engineering support, you can confidently address today’s regulatory and commercial challenges—and set up for whatever’s next.

If you’re ready to take the next step in mastering OBD within your Raptor ECU workflow, explore our solutions today or contact our team for a tailored demo or consult.