PM-200 sets the bar considerably higher on the topic of safeguarding and troubleshooting vehicles. Bus systems such as CAN, CAN-FD, FlexRay™, LIN and Automotive Ethernet are logged at a data speed of up to 120 MB/s. SSD removable media allow for quick evaluation and distribution of the data. Various upgrade options enable configuration for any application. Flexibility, programmability and support from debugging protocols make it possible. PM-200 is offering a software option of collecting and analyzing debug messages and valuable information from infotainment ECUs via Diagnostic Log and Trace (DLT) protocol. This standardized logging and tracing software component, based on the AUTOSAR 4.0 standard, helps consolidate the existing variety of logging and tracing protocols on one format.
However, times and vehicles are changing, so do the testing tools. In order to provide a solution for the next vehicle generation product needs to be upgraded, with the most common engineering task: to make a new device, to work exactly the same job but with multipiled number of interfaces, multiplied processing power,multiplied data throughput,multiplied options like storage choice and replaceability, daisy chaining and stacking, different voltage rails, power modes, standby and wake up scenarios. Everything needed to be multiplied, with the smaller overall device dimensions.
The image shows basic product architecture with improvements/additons:
- Data acquisition from automotive buses:
- 11 x CAN FD(CAN) bus
- 16 x LIN bus
- 2 x FlexRay A (or FlexRay B)
- 12 x Automotive Ethernet (A_ETH), 100/1000Base-T1
- Data acquisition from other interfaces:
- 2 x Ethernet 1000BASE-T
- 4x USB 3.0 (2.0)
- 6 x RS232
- 8 x Analog In and power lines (KL15, KL30)
- GPS: RX data and PPS
- 2 x Ethernet 1000BASE-T for device configuration
- Supplying 2 Analog OUT signals
- Camera data video Recording and Forwarding
- Data logging from external data convertor/collector (PT15, PT20)
- Data forwarding in real time over 1Gb and 10Gb interface
- Loopback data on Automotive and 1000Base-T ethernet
- Storage data with time stamping into internal SSD.
- Storage/forwarding data to external Storage Module.
- Transferring stored data to a server via PCIe, 10Gb ETH.
- Configuration device via PC, mobile.
- Update SW on all programmable components.
- Various stand-by modes for power management.
- Assure synchronization with other PM-300 devices over Cascade interface.
- Supporting TWO recording operation modes:
- Recording Only
- Recording and forwarding (bypass connection)
Very demanding architecture in a limited space was realized in five separated PCBs, stacked, conected via flatcables and concentrated arround the heat sinking structure, all in compact aluminium enclosure.
The major design challeges have been very hign data rates and signal integrity issues between separated arcitectural blocks, as well as enormous peak power consumption during the operations with multiple 10Gb ethernets, multiple automotive ethernet, and multiple PCIe Gen 3 devices rinning simulaneously.
Thus novel design techniques, simulations, as well as high speed materials had to be used to fullfill alt he requirements.
Conclusion
At the very end of all the chalenges and hard work, our harware engineering and development team is proud of the device that offers complete automotive interfaces coverage.
Multiple 10G ethernet connectivity, PCIe 3 generation backbone, and external interface, 8Gbps signaling up to silicon devices limits, multiple mass storage support, up to 32Gbps offers virtually unilimited possibilities and option to interface mass storage systems huge by capactity or logging-saving speed, no matter.
At the top of the achievements we can see a compact automotive grade design, various power and functional modes including extremely low power mode with selectable interface-content/events/conditions wake up sources.
