View FlexRay Activity on Infiniium Scopes

January 8th, 2008

Agilent Infinium users can now trigger on FlexRay events, deccode FlexRay protocol, and view and analyze FlexRay eye diagrams. Users can select standard data rates of 2.5 Mbps, 5.0 Mbps, and 10 Mbps, and the decoded information shows the frame ID, cycle number and the payload of the FlexRay signal.

In addition to decoding the FlexRay bus, this new option performs a software clock recovery based on re-synchronization of an ideal 10-MHz FlexRay clock to each byte start sequence (BSS) event. This recovered clock is used to create and display a real-time eye diagram. A FlexRay real-time eye provides a composite view of the quality of FlexRay signals, including an automatic measure of system jitter. Masks based on TP1, TP2, TP3 or TP4 requirements can also be applied for automatic pass/fail testing. If a mask test fails, engineers can easily “unfold” the eye diagram to quickly locate the failed bit.

Automotive embedded devices, including FlexRay devices, must be tested under simulated extreme conditions in environmental chambers. These extreme conditions may include testing ECUs (engine control units) and differential serial buses at temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. The active circuitry in today’s typical active probes cannot tolerate temperatures exceeding 55 degrees Celsius. However, engineers can use Agilent 1130 Series InfiniiMax active probes and N5450A SMP microwave extension cables to extend and displace the probe’s active amplifier so it is outside the environmental chamber. This configuration allows engineers to connect InfiniiMax passive probe heads to test points within the chamber at temperatures ranging from -55 C to +155 C.

The Agilent N5402A automotive application with FlexRay triggering, protocol decode, debug and eye-diagram analysis for Infiniium Series oscilloscopes is available now at a price of $1,500.

Entry Filed under: Network Test, Test Equipment