Automotive Ethernet Controller for testing and validating

Comprehensive testing is essential for developers and suppliers of control units, for vehicle manufacturers and certification bodies, to ensure that systems function correctly, especially in safety-critical automotive applications. Test solutions for Automotive Ethernet must be powerful and modular in design to meet the diverse application requirements: electronic control units (ECUs), numerous sensors, cameras and other critical devices can be reliably integrated into vehicle electrical systems. GÖPEL electronic is now introducing the Automotive Ethernet Controller G PXIe 6242 for this purpose.

The new PXI Express card has four independent 10/100/1000Mbit/s Ethernet interfaces that can be individually adapted to user requirements by means of modular extension boards. This makes the controllers highly versatile with a range of different PHYs. As a flexible test interface, the powerful automotive Ethernet controller includes a wide range of on-board functionalities and tools (DoIP, DoSoAd, TLS, PTP, XCP, iPerf, Ping) and is characterised by its easy integration into existing test environments via C-API (G API) or LabVIEW. The FPGA-based switching matrix offers a wide range of options for flexible data paths (tapping, bypassing, routing).

The latest developments in advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and high-performance infotainment applications are driving data rates in the automotive sector upwards. This means that the quality and performance of the components of the communication channel are also becoming increasingly important. With the help of the new test solution from GÖPEL electronic, Automotive Ethernet can be reliably implemented as a new key technology for data-intensive applications. Using the packet generator, the Automotive Ethernet Controller achieves up to 

100% guaranteed bus load with valid and invalid static data. In addition, the adapter's interfaces support 10BASE-T1S technology (IEEE 802.3cg standard) and have integrated PLCA. With the new standard, devices can be easily integrated into Automotive Ethernet via multi-drop configuration, since no additional switches are required, and the cabling effort is reduced. Vehicle bus systems such as CAN or LIN can be easily replaced by 10BASE-T1S. Gateways to connect different bus systems are no longer needed. 10BASE-T1S communicates in half-duplex mode over a twisted pair of wires and enables data transmission at 10 Mbit/s – ideal and often sufficient in the automotive sector, as well as being cost-efficient.

However, for reliable operation of critical functions, data transmission via 10BASE-T1S Ethernet must be always ensured and in all climatic environments. Thanks to the new G PXIe 6242 Automotive Ethernet Controller, this functionality can be tested during development and in production. In combination with the Net2Run software tool chain, further high-performance simulation options for ECU communication are available. Net2Run, which is based entirely on the AUTOSAR standard, offers the option to import all common ECU description files such as ARXML, DBC, LDF and FIBEX, and provides the user with optimal support when configuring the corresponding restbus simulation – based on an intuitive GUI.