CARcorder – Data Logger for FlexRay and CAN

The CARcorder is available as Basic or Plus version. The Basic version provides already six CAN interfaces (ISO 11898-2 / 11898-3), two LIN and two RS232 interfaces, an USB host/device interface as well as an interface switchable between SAE J1850 and K/L-line. In addition, the device comes with digital and analog inputs and outputs each providing eight channels.
Furthermore, the Plus version of the CARcorder offers a FlexRay interface with two channels.

The two processor architecture of the CARcorder enables the fanless device to record all data synchronous and without any losses in real time and with a time stamp accuracy of 1 µs.

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A new version 4.0.0 of the EtherNet/IP software is available for the below listed software packages. Beside bug fixes and extended functionality, the software packages now are ready to pass the latest ODVA EtherNet/IP Protocol Conformance Test Software Version A7, which was released by ODVA for certification in August 2009.

• EtherNet/IP Adapter Communication Driver (EIPA)
• EtherNet/IP Adapter Developers Kit (EADK)
• EtherNet/IP Scanner Communication Driver (EIPS)
• EtherNet/IP Scanner Developers Kit (ESDK)

With its new “CAN network analysis seminar”, IXXAT now offers a one-day training specially intended for developers of CAN devices and service engineers.

The seminar provides an overview about possibilities and procedures for the successful analysis of CAN bus systems. This includes analysis of the communication level, e.g. for CAN device or network software development, as well as testing on physical level, e.g. for design and commissioning of CAN networks.
In addition, procedures for systematic and successful troubleshooting and elimination of existing distortion and error sources are explained in detail and presented using practical examples.
The protocol independent approach makes the seminar also interesting for CANopen, DeviceNet and SAE J1939 users.

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By Christian Schlegel, IXXAT Automation GmbH

Today, the industrial automation market for Ethernet-based communication is increasing in demand. As with classical field busses, several protocol standards are available for Industrial Ethernet, which have to be supported by device manufacturers. Since these different Ethernet standards vary in their hardware and software requirements, a specific protocol solution for their integration into a device is required.

Despite the efforts of IAONA to find a common solution for industrial communication over Ethernet, disparate protocols emerged that were sponsored and promoted by a number of classic field bus suppliers. Eleven concepts to achieve Ethernet relevant for industrial communication are currently standardized within IEC 61158. Similar to the so-called “field bus wars” in the eighties, in the end, some of the eleven Industrial Ethernet solutions will be accepted in the market.

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By Christian Schlegel, IXXAT Automation

One solution circumventing the limitations of CANopen (limited bandwidth, limited system extension) would be switching completely to Ethernet POWERLINK. However, for many systems this would be like the tail wagging the dog since the POWERLINK technology is more expensive than the CANopen technology (e.g. cabling costs, hardware costs, system integration costs). Instead of converting a system completely from CANopen to POWERLINK, it often makes sense to build a new system structure using several subsystems. The following two system architectures are possible…

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The universal Embedded Platform, which was already successful presented in March on the Embedded World Fair in Nuremberg, can as of now be delivered to interested customers.

The Embedded Platform was specially designed for customers, which like to develop applications for the industrial or automotive area, but do not yet have the final target hardware with the required field bus interfaces available.

The hardware supports a temperature range between -20 °C and +70 °C, is based on a powerful microcontroller module and provides many interfaces for the connection to all important field bus systems (FlexRay, 4 x CAN, 2 x LIN, K-Line and others). In addition, RS-232 interfaces for the connection of external peripheral devices are available, as well as digital and analog I/Os.
Time stamps with an accuracy of 100 ns can be assigned to the messages on all bus interfaces. This also applies for the analog and digital I/Os.

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The FlexRay/CAN Gateway software package enables the user to set up a flexible and configurable gateway for the transmission of FlexRay messages and signals to CAN, based on the FlexRay CCM or the FRC-EP150 hardware platform. In case of using the new FlexRay platform FRC-EP150, easy user configurable gateways with up to four CAN interfaces are possible.
The transmission can be performed in both directions and is especially useful for applications where existing CAN-based measurement and control technology has to be integrated into FlexRay environments. In addition, data exchange from CAN-to-CAN and FlexRay-to-FlexRay is possible.

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