Use Case: Centralization and Networking of Vehicle Functions

Task

MicroAutoBox III: bus and network support

The demand for computing power, especially in the early stages of development, has increased drastically in recent years. This trend towards more complex and computation-intensive controls is driven mainly by developments such as highly automated and autonomous driving, but also by the advancement of electromobility in all its forms, including the charging technology and smart distribution systems. The increasing centralization and networking of vehicle functions also means that the requirements for bus and network communication are continuing to grow. 

Challenge

The bus communication files that describe the connection of the numerous control units, sensors, and actuators in the vehicle have grown to several gigabytes in size.  When new functions are developed, this bus and network data often has to be redirected, filtered, or extended by new control components via gateways or domain controllers as central network nodes to new or existing recipients. One example is the integration of a new drive system into an existing vehicle platform. To reduce costs, space requirements, and system complexity, the required gateway components must ideally already be covered by the function development system used to execute the new control functions in real time.

Solution

With the MicroAutoBox III, dSPACE offers a compact in-vehicle solution that is equipped to master topically demanding communication tasks.

In addition to three Gigabit Ethernet interfaces for connection to the host PC or other devices, each MicroAutoBox III has two automotive Ethernet interfaces that allow for integration into the ECU network at data rates of 100 Mbit/s or 1,000 Mbit/s. Depending on the MicroAutoBox variant, serial interfaces and interfaces for CAN, CAN FD, LIN, or FlexRay communication are also available.

With a wide range of interfaces (8x CAN FD, 2x FlexRay A&B, 6x automotive Ethernet, 3x LIN, 6x DIO, 4x ADC, 1x serial interface) and even stronger bus performance, MicroAutoBox III variants with a DS1521 Bus and Network Board are ideally suited for applications requiring a high degree of networking. Should the number of interfaces not be sufficient, you can easily add another bus and network board without increasing the required floor space.

The system is configured using the ConfigurationDesk implementation software in conjunction with the Bus Manager. This lets users design the bus communication on the basis of the latest standards and protocols such as AUTOSAR (ARXML), FIBEX, DBC, or LDF. For integration into an existing vehicle electrical system, current AUTOSAR features such as secure onboard communication (SecOC), end-to-end protection, and global time synchronization (GTS) are also supported on all relevant bus systems, including service-based Ethernet communication (SOME-IP).

The MicroAutoBox III thus becomes the ideal prototyping system for scenarios that are later executed on a central control unit, such as supervisory controller or gateway applications.

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