Network - FlexRay - voltage

The purpose of this test is to verify the integrity of the FlexRay networks by checking the mirror image nature of the signals and the coincidence of the edges.

How to perform the test

View connection guidance notes.

1. Use manufacturer data to identify and access FlexRay high and FlexRay low circuits. (access is usually available at the multi-plug connector on components controlled by FlexRay, door locks, window motors etc.).
2. Connect PicoScope Channel A to FlexRay high.
3. Connect PicoScope Channel B to FlexRay low.
4. Minimize the help page. You will see that PicoScope has displayed an example waveform and is preset to capture your waveform.
5. Start the scope to see live data.
6. Operate the system you have accessed.
7. With your waveforms on screen stop the scope.
8. Use the Waveform Buffer, Zoom and Measurements tools to examine your waveform.

Note

The BNC-to-4-mm cables that are used for normal signals are not suitable. For high-speed signals like those used on the FlexRay network, you must use high-speed probes.

Example waveform

Waveform notes

The above FlexRay waveform is a detail zoom of the FlexRay message and allows the individual state changes to be viewed. This enables the mirror image nature of the signals, and the coincidence of the edges to be verified.

Here we can see clearly that the signals are equal and opposite, and that they are of the same amplitude. The edges are clean and coincident with each other. This shows that the FlexRay network is enabling communication between the nodes and the FlexRay controller unit. This test effectively verifies the integrity of the bus at this point in the FlexRay network, and if a particular ECU (node) is not responding correctly, the fault is likely to be the ECU itself. The rest of the bus should work correctly.

It may be necessary to check the condition of the signals present at the connector of each of the ECUs on the FlexRay network as a final check. The data at each node will always be the same on the same bus. Remember that much of the data on the network is safety critical, so DO NOT use insulation piercing probes on FlexRay lines!

Further guidance

FlexRay is a fast, deterministic and fault-tolerant bus system for automotive use.

The FlexRay® protocol answers that demand with a high speed, deterministic and fault tolerant communications technology. Designed specifically for in-vehicle networking, FlexRay won't replace existing networks, but instead it will work in conjunction with already well-established systems, such as the controller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN) and media oriented systems transport (MOST).

An in-vehicle network with FlexRay serving as the backbone provides determinism for engine control and fault tolerance for steer-by-wire, brake-by-wire and other advanced safety applications.

In FlexRay, the cycle period is divided into two parts: One static, for time-critical messages, and one dynamic, for less important messages. The static part is time-triggered whereas the dynamic part is event-triggered. For example, a node transmitting messages to the brakes would be in the static part whereas a node transmitting information to the audio system would be in the dynamic part.

FlexRay - compared to CAN - offers a significantly greater bandwidth of 10 Mbit/s.

GT125-2