Analysis software simplified automotive Ethernet testing
Automotive Ethernet integration testing and debugging can be simplified using the BroadR-Reach decoder/analyser package, claims Pico Technology. The package includes a novel non-intrusive software directional coupler to separate up- and downstream traffic on full-duplex communication lines.
BroadR-Reach allows multiple in-vehicle systems to simultaneously access information over single unshielded twisted-pair cables. The technology delivers relatively high-speed data, 100Mbits per second, with low connectivity costs and cabling weight.
The BroadR-Reach physical layer (BR-PHY) uses three-level pulse amplitude modulation (PAM3) signalling, limited to 33⅓MHz bandwidth and a data scrambling technique to equalise power spectral density within the allocated band. It operates as a full-duplex connection with simultaneous master-slave/slave-master transmissions, so is more challenging to test than previous-generation networks.
Conventionally, automotive Ethernet testing requires insertion of a hardware directional coupler to separate the bi-directional data streams. Such couplers can interfere with normal functioning of the network and deliver misleading test results. The PicoScope software directional coupler uses two non-intrusive differential voltage probing points a known distance apart, together with the known velocity of propagation in standard RG58 or Cat5 cable, to separate the transmitted data waveforms in each direction.
Once the waveforms have been separated to show up- and downstream traffic, the PicoScope BroadR-Reach decoder can be used to display the contents of each data packet, aligned with the transmitted waveform. If required, two software directional couplers can be set up and decoded to show both the master-slave and slave-master communications at once. The decoded data can also be displayed in tabular listing format for ease of viewing. The filtering and search tools provided help engineers focus on specific packet and field contents of interest.
Trevor Smith, business development manager at Pico Technology, said “The PicoScope decoder/analyser enables engineers to solve the critical signal analysis and network verification challenges that they face when bringing those designs to market. It is included as standard with PicoScope 6.14.10 application software and builds on our . . . . support for automotive protocols that includes CAN, CAN-FD, FlexRay, LIN and SENT.”
Recommended hardware is any model of PicoScope 6000, with bandwidth from 250 to 500MHz, 5Gsample per second sampling and capture memory up to 2Gsamples
TA045 200 MHz differential probes (x2) for probing the two test points on the BroadR-Reach network.
