One of the challenges in the start of production with FlexRay, is the limited experience of market participants in terms of physical dimensioning and design of FlexRay networks. Given the specification gaps, a thorough check of all physical layer components in the network is required.
Our experts analyze customer's network dimensioning. They test cable influences, transceivers, communication components such as common-mode inductor and bus termination concepts. In addition influences of connectors, cable lines and control unit installations are examined.
Physical analysis usually comprises three steps, namely theoretical analysis, board measurements with boundary sample control units, and vehicle measurements. The theoretical analysis includes a time budget examination, taking into account all communication components. This allows monitoring the impact of decoder characteristics in communication controllers and potential asymmetries of transceiver and topology components. Furthermore, the behavior of sub-networks is checked.
The board measurement uses boundary sample control units to simulate the tolerance limits, the environmental influences in worst-case scenarios and to validate the safety reserves of the dimensioning. This also includes robustness, wake-up sleep measurements and interoperability checks. Specific measurement methods check the technical findings in the vehicle.
Besides, TTTech Automotive provides all necessary board set-ups. Measurements can be conducted on-site or at our office locations. We also qualify customer's components, assume the coordination with suppliers, deal with fault reporting and develop workarounds.
