Quick Reference Manual
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution V1.0
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
1
Contents
1.0
PRODUCT INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................3
2.0
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS ..........................................................................................5
3.0 INSTALLING PDF-D FLEXRAY PROTOCOL ANALYSIS SOFTWARE ...................................5
4.0 CONNECTING TO AN OSCILLOSCOPE ............................................................................6
5.0 CONFIGURE THE PDF-D SOFTWARE ..........................................................................11
5.1 SIGNAL INPUTS ........................................................................................................................ 11
5.2 SIGNAL CONFIGURATION ......................................................................................................... 13
5.3 DATA REFERENCE.................................................................................................................... 14
5.4 DISPLAY OPTION...................................................................................................................... 15
6.0 RESULTS ..................................................................................................................16
6.1 DECODE TABLE INFORMATION ................................................................................................ 16
6.2 LINKING DECODED FLEXRAY FRAME DATA TO WAVEFORM ................................................... 17
6.3 SHOW MORE DETAIL ................................................................................................................ 18
6.3.1 Overlay of decoded messages on the FlexRay waveform......................................... 19
6.3.2 Eye Diagram Analysis ...................................................................................................... 20
6.3.3 Time Interval Error Plot (TIE Plot) .................................................................................. 22
6.3.4 Timing Measurements...................................................................................................... 22
6.3.5 Sync Measurements......................................................................................................... 23
6.4 FIND ......................................................................................................................................... 24
6.5 SAVE ........................................................................................................................................ 26
6.6 CLOSE THE DETAIL VIEW ........................................................................................................ 26
7.0 CLOSING THE PDF-D FLEXRAY DECODE ANALYSIS SOFTWARE ..................................26
8.0 FEEDBACK................................................................................................................27
9.0 CONTACT INFORMATION ............................................................................................27
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
2
1.0 Product Introduction
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
Engineers designing and integrating in-vehicle networks can monitor FlexRay protocol
information in hexadecimal and decimal formats, analyze the electrical characteristics of
a FlexRay signal using eye diagrams, time interval error plots and sync measurements
with a Tektronix DPO/MSO4000 Series oscilloscope and the FlexRay Protocol
Analysis Software
The PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Software offers the best solution in the industry
for debugging and testing of FlexRay signals using the award winning Tektronix
DPO4000 and MSO4000 Series oscilloscopes.
This software enables the designer to capture thousands of FlexRay messages and
display the decoded data. The PDF-D FlexRay decode feature allows the users to view
the decoded data in hexadecimal, decimal, octal and binary formats as specified. PDF-D
Software overlays control and payload data of the FlexRay frame on the waveform for
easy debugging FlexRay communication l issues. The protocol decode table highlights
the header CRC, trailer CRC and eye diagram error frames (frames causing eye
diagram failure) in red.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
3
Signal Integrity
Electronic control units (ECU’s) should work in extreme operating conditions in an
automobile. To ensure reliable operation of ECU’s at extreme operating conditions,
FlexRay signal should have enough design margins. PDF-D Software’s signal integrity
feature helps in quickly analyzing the electrical characteristics of FlexRay signal.
Advanced features such as eye diagram analysis, time interval error plot, and sync
measurements enables the user to know the eye opening, jitter, and synchronization in a
FlexRay network.
Features: Protocol decode
•
Converts time domain waveform information into data domain and displays the
contents in FlexRay message format
•
Displays waveform and decoded data simultaneously in a single window allowing
efficient debugging
Ability to link any FlexRay frame or any message (data or address) to waveform
allows efficient analysis of FlexRay communication
Detailed view plots the waveform for the selected frame and overlays the decoded
data on the waveform.
Error frames are highlighted in red for easy debugging.
‘Find’ function helps in quickly locating the specific data or address out of thousands
of decoded FlexRay messages
Time stamp with reference to trigger position allows users to know the time from the
frame to the trigger event
Offline analysis with Ref waveforms, .ISF (Tektronix oscilloscope’s internal waveform
file format) and, .CSV files
Capability to save the decoded messages in .CSV format
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Features: Signal Integrity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Ability to view the eye diagram for selected message with the complete acquired
data helps in pinpointing the cause for the eye diagram failure
Quick analysis of the eye diagram as per FlexRay standard
FlexRay frames causing eye diagram errors are highlighted in red in the decode
table
Time interval error analysis for each frames helps in understanding the influence of
oscillator stability in each FlexRay node
Sync measurements enable the user to know time lapse between the sync frames
Average bit time measurement
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
4
2.0 System Requirements
The following are the system requirements to install and use PDF-D FlexRay software
OS
Windows
2000
SP4,
Windows XP SP2, Windows
Vista
RAM
512 MB or more
Disk Space
10 MB or more
Display Resolution
1,024x768 minimum
3.0 Installing PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Software
The software requirements to install PDF-D Software on your PC are:
TekVISA 3.3 or above version
.NET 2.0 Framework SP2
Follow the below steps to install the PDF-D Software. If your PC already has TekVISA
and Dotnet framework software, you can skip step # 3 and 4.
1. Insert the PDF-D Software CD in the CD Drive of your PC.
2. Open the CD drive using ‘My Computer’ or explorer. You will find the following
files in the PDF-D Software CD
dotnetfx.exe
TekVISA. exe
FlexRay Protocol Analysis Software VX.X.X.exe
3. To load dotnetfx.exe software, double click on dotnetfx.exe file. It will take you
through the installation procedure of .NET Framework software.
4. To load TekVISA software, double click on TekVISA.XXX.exe. Software will take
you through the installation procedure.
5. To load PDF-D Software, double click on FlexRay Protocol Analysis Software
V1.x.x .exe. Software will take you through the installation procedure.
6. At the end of the PDF-D Software installation, following icon is created in your
PC desktop.
FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution.lnk
7. To launch the PDF-D Software, double click on the above shown icon.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
5
4.0 Connecting to an Oscilloscope
The PDF-D FlexRay Analysis Solution connects to an oscilloscope using TekVISA. To
establish the connection between the oscilloscope and the application, you need to
setup the oscilloscope and the PC.
Configure the oscilloscope for USB connectivity
TekVISA lets you use your MS-Windows computer to acquire data from your
oscilloscope for use in an analysis package that runs on your PC, such as the PDF-D
FlexRay Protocol Analysis software. You can use a common communications
connection, such as USB, Ethernet, or GPIB, to connect the computer to the
oscilloscope.
To set up TekVISA communications between your oscilloscope and computer:
1. Load the VISA drivers on your computer. The TekVISA driver is provided with the CD
you received with this software or with your oscilloscope. If you do not have a CD,
you can download it from the Tektronix Web page (www.tektronix.com/software).
2. Connect the oscilloscope to your computer with the appropriate USB or Ethernet
cable.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
6
3. Press the Utility button on the oscilloscope front panel as shown below.
4. Press the Utility page in the oscilloscope menu.
5. Turn the multipurpose knob a on the oscilloscope and select I/O.
6. If you are using USB, the oscilloscope sets itself up automatically for you, if USB is
enabled. Check USB on the lower-bezel menu to be sure that USB is enabled. If it is
not enabled, press USB. Then press Enabled on the side-bezel menu.
7. To use Ethernet, press Ethernet Network Settings. If you are on a DHCP Ethernet
network and are using a regular Ethernet cable to connect, on the side-bezel menu,
set DHCP to On. If you are using a cross-over cable, set it to Off and set a hard
coded TCP/IP address.
After configuring the oscilloscope you need to configure TekVISA on your computer.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
7
Configure TekVISA on your computer
PDF-D FlexRay Analysis solution connects to the oscilloscope using TekVISA. To
establish the connection between the oscilloscope and the application, you need to
configure TekVISA on your computer.
Steps to configure TekVISA:
1. Open the TekVISA Instrument Manager from Start Menu> All Programs >TekVISA>
OpenChoice Instrument Manager as shown;
2. Click the Search Criteria button to configure the type of connection.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
8
3. If you are using Ethernet, configure the network address as shown below and click
Done.
4. Click Update in the Instrument Manager. You will then find your oscilloscope in the
list of instruments.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
9
5. To get an easier to recognize VISA name, select the instrument and click
Properties. The following dialog box will appear. Provide a Device Name, for
example DPO4000 and then click OK.
6.
Click Update in the instrument list. You will find the newly created Device Name
in the list of Instruments.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
10
5.0 Configure the PDF-D Software
Launch the FlexRay app by clicking
FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution icon on
your PC desktop, The following screen appears when the application launches.
Provide the new device name in the PDF-D FlexRay VISA Name and click Connect to
Oscilloscope as shown.
This interface allows you to set up the PDF-D application for FlexRay signal analysis.
The three important components in configuration tab.
•
•
Signal Inputs
Signal Configuration
•
Data Reference
5.1 Signal Inputs
PDF-D allows you to input a FlexRay signal using CH1-CH4, Ref1-Ref4 or the Math
channel on a DPO/MSO4000 Series oscilloscope. Using the drop down list you can
select any of the channels. A FlexRay signal is a differential signal. You can probe the
differential signal using a TDP0500 differential probe or with two single ended probes
and a Ch1-Ch2 math function. This pseudo differential approach requires you to select
the scope’s Math waveform as the input.
If you plan to probe the FlexRay signal using a TDP0500 probe:
•
Connect the TDP0500 to any of CH1 to CH4 of DPO/MSO4000 Series
oscilloscopes.
•
Select CH1-CH4 in PDF-D depending upon the TDP0500 connectivity. For
example, if TDP0500 is connected to CH1 in DPO/MSO4000 then select CH1 in
PDF-D.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
11
If you plan to probe the FlexRay signal using a pseudo differential method:
•
•
•
Connect CH1 and CH2 of DPO/MSO4000 to BP and BM of FlexRay signal
respectively. You can use the standard P6139A probes supplied with the
oscilloscope.
To get the differential FlexRay signal, set up the Math channel in DPO/MSO4000
Series oscilloscope as Math1 = CH1-CH2.
Select Math in PDF-D depending upon the math channel configuration.
If you want to analyze the single-ended FlexRay signals, use the following setup:
Note: While conducting single-ended signal analysis, the eye-diagram feature is
irrelevant, because the eye diagram analysis requires differential signal.
•
•
Connect the BP or BM signals to any of CH1-CH4 of DPO/MSO4000 Series
oscilloscope using P6139A probe.
Select CH1-CH4 in the PDF-D software.
If you want to analyze previously saved FlexRay waveforms:
•
•
Load the FlexRay signals (.isf files) into any of the Reference channels of
DPO/MSO4000 Series oscilloscope.
Select Ref 1-Ref4 in the PDF-D Software.
If you want to analyze FlexRay signals from a file:
•
Load the FlexRay signal files using the file menu of PDF-D. PDF-D supports .ISF
and .CSV files.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
12
5.2 Signal Configuration
Signal configuration enables you to input the characteristics of your FlexRay signal and
test point information to the PDF-D Software. The signal configuration panel of PDF-D is
as shown:
Signal Type: This menu is used to select whether BP, BM or differential signal is used
for analysis.
Data rate: FlexRay supports 3 different data rates 10Mbps, 5Mbps and 2.5Mbps. Select
the appropriate data rate using the drop-down list.
Channel: FlexRay supports two channels for data exchange between FlexRay nodes.
Many times one of the channels is used as for redundancy. Based on this selection the
software computes the trailer CRC value and flags an error message if any difference is
detected. You can select channel A or Channel B using the drop-down list.
Eye Mask: This drop-down list enables you to select the Eye mask at test points TP1 or
TP4. The FlexRay standard recommends eye diagram testing at test points TP1 and
TP4.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
13
5.3 Data Reference
To analyze the FlexRay signals, PDF-D needs to identify the logical high and low
transitions. For this, you need to provide the reference level as input. The reference level
inputs can be specified as percentage or absolute units.
The screen is as shown below.
In the percentage mode, the PDF-D software measures the maximum and minimum
amplitude of the FlexRay signal. If the ‘Ref level’ is set as 50%, then any transition
above 50% of amplitude is considered as logical ‘1’ and below 50% of amplitude as
logical ‘0’.
.
5% Ref Level (from 50% ref level)
50% Ref Level
5% Ref Level (from 50% ref level)
Hysteresis level setup helps in isolating incorrect voltage
transition occurring due to the electrical noise.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
14
Any aberration (as shown in the above figure) within 50%+/-5% of 50% reference level is
not considered a logical transition. The hysteresis level helps in isolating voltage
transitions in the hysteresis region.
If units are set to absolute, you can set the Reference level in volts. If the signal voltage
amplitude is 5V then you can set ‘Ref level’ at 2.5V. Hysteresis level can be 0.5V.
Hide eye diagram error: By selecting this check box, PDF-D will not highlight the
FlexRay frames causing an eye diagram error.
5.4 Display Option
This menu allows you to configure the view of decoded FlexRay frame contents in
different numerical formats. You can configure Frame ID, payload length, header CRC,
cycle count, data and data annotation in hexadecimal, decimal, binary or octal numerical
formats. To access display options, select Option in the menu bar. The following display
appears.
Use the drop-down list to select decimal, hexadecimal, octal or binary formats. This
information is used to display the protocol decoded information of the FlexRay signal.
Acquire Data: By clicking on acquire data, PDF-D software sends commands to the
oscilloscope to acquire data using the current oscilloscope setup. The data is then
imported into the PDF-D software, and the results are displayed.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
15
6.0 Results
The results tab displays the results after processing the acquired data. The results tab
contains:
•
Decode Table
•
•
Show More Details
Find
•
Save
6.1 Decode table information
The Decoded FlexRay frame contains the following information:
Header
Description
Frame Type (FT)
Static Frame (S) or Dynamic Frame (D)
Reserved Bit (RB)
Value of the Reserved Bit
Payload Preamble (PP)
Payload Preamble in the Frame Header
Null Frame Indicator (NI)
Displays the status of the Null Frame Indicator in the
Frame Header
Sync Frame Indicator (Sy)
Displays the status of the Sync Frame Indicator in the
Frame Header
Start up Frame Indicator (St)
Displays the status of the Start up Frame Indicator in the
Frame Header
Frame ID (F ID)
Displays the Frame ID
Payload Length (PL)
Displays the Payload Length of the Frame
Header CRC (H CRC)
Displays the Decoded Header CRC value
Cycle Count (CC)
Displays the Decoded Cycle Count
Time
Displays the Start of the frame time from the Trigger
Position
Data
Displays the Payload Data
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
16
The next figure explains the FlexRay frame content in a standard FlexRay frame.
PDF-D displays the results as shown:
Note that if the decoded data is displayed in hexadecimal, binary and octal formats then
‘h’, ‘b’, and ‘o’ is appended to the data bytes. If it is in decimal format then there is no
indication for the data bytes.
6.2 Linking decoded FlexRay frame data to waveform
After the PDF-D completes the decoding, by default it zooms and places the cursors in
the oscilloscope waveform. This waveform represents the first decoded frame in the
decode table. You can scroll up and down the decoded table display. If you want to view
the waveform for a particular FlexRay frames in decoded table, click on the frame. The
waveform related to this frame is zoomed and cursors are placed at the start and end of
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
17
the frame in DPO/MSO4000. The DPO/MSO4000 oscilloscope display is as shown while
linking the decoded frame to waveform.
6.3 Show more detail
By selecting the Show More Details in the results panel, you can view the
comprehensive analysis of the FlexRay frame. The following features are supported in
detailed view.
•
•
Overlay of decoded message on the FlexRay waveform
Eye diagram analysis
•
•
TIE plot
Timing measurements
•
Sync Measurements
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
18
A typical display of Show More Detail view along with the decoded table is as shown:
6.3.1 Overlay of decoded messages on the FlexRay waveform
One of the components in detail view is the overlay of decoded messages on the
FlexRay frame waveform. The component is displayed as shown:
Fit to screen
Pan/Zoom
Undo
The decoded information of the frame selected in the decode table is overlaid with the
corresponding FlexRay waveform. To zoom this waveform:
Step 1: Click on the pan/zoom button in waveform plot.
Step 2: Move the mouse pointer over the waveform plot.
Step 3: Click and drag to select the area to zoom on
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
19
To pan the zoomed waveform:
Step 1: Click on the pan button.
Step 2: Move the mouse pointer over the waveform plot.
Step 3: Click and drag either left or right to pan left or right respectively
To do undo the last action, click the undo button
.
6.3.2 Eye Diagram Analysis
The Eye diagram plot component in detail view is as shown.
Maximize
The eye diagram is built from all the FlexRay frames acquired in a single acquisition on
the DPO/MSO4000 Series oscilloscope. The blue trace in the eye diagram is the eye for
the selected frame in the decode table.
To maximize the eye diagram plot area, click the maximize button
eye diagram plot area, click
. To minimize the
.
Eye diagram failures are highlighted in red as shown in the following figure.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
20
The FlexRay frames causing these eye diagram failures are as also highlighted in red in
the decode table as shown below.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
21
6.3.3 Time Interval Error Plot (TIE Plot)
This component of the Detail view offers the TIE plot for the selected frame. The plot is
displayed as shown.
.
A TIE plot shows the time difference between the real clock and an ideal clock (standard
specification) for each Unit Interval (UI) for the FlexRay frame selected in the decode
table. The X axis of the TIE plot is UI and the Y axis is time in seconds. If the data rate is
10 Mbps, the UI is 100nsec (ideal clock). If the measured UI for each UI were 100nsec,
then the plot would be a flat line at 0 seconds. If it varies against the reference UI value
of 100nsec (for 10 Mbps), the difference value (measured UI value – reference UI value)
is plotted for each UI in the time axis. A UI increment starts from the beginning of the
FlexRay frame.
Using the TIE plot you can quickly observe the UI time variation in a selected frame. This
UI variation might have occurred while data is being transmitted through the different
segments of the network. Also, the impact of oscillator frequency variation in an ECU
can be observed in a TIE plot. Electrical noise can impact the UI value which can be
easily observed by a sudden change in UI value in a TIE plot.
6.3.4 Timing Measurements
This component of the Detail view shows timing measurements for the selected frame.
The measurements are displayed as shown.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
22
The rise time is the amount of time the output voltage takes to reach from 20% to 80% of
the amplitude. The fall time is the time the output voltage takes to reach from 80% to
20% of the amplitude. In PDF-D software rise and fall time are calculated for all the
transitions in the frame and the average value is displayed.
TSS duration is a programmable value in FlexRay nodes. The measured TSS value
helps in identifying any TSS truncation issues due to signal paths in the network.
6.3.5 Sync Measurements
This component in Detail view gives the following measurements.
Previous Sync and Next Sync measurements measure the time lapsed and time at
which next sync frame is expected for the selected frame.
Previous Cycle Frame and Next Cycle Frame measurements measure the time lapsed
for the same frame in previous communication cycle and time at which this frame is
present in the next communication cycle.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
23
6.4 Find
Clicking on the Find button brings up the following dialog box
You can find Frame Indicators, Frame Details, Frame Type and Error frames in the
decode table. To search, do the following:
Step 1: Select your search criteria in the Find menu
Step 2: Enter the search value (if you are searching for Frame details)
Step 3: Click on Find; PDF-D will search for frames meeting your criteria in the
decode table.
Step 3: If condition is present, that row is selected
Step 4: To continue searching in rest of the decode table, click on Find until PDF-D
displays following message.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
24
You can also search for a combination of Find conditions. For example, search for
Frame ID=14 and Data of Dh by setting the search conditions as shown below:
You can also search for a combination of Frame details and Errors. For example to find
frames with an ID of 24 that fail the eye diagram test, set the search conditions as
follows:
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
25
6.5 Save
The save feature allows you to save the decode table information in .CSV file format. To
save the data, click on the Save button. The following dialog appears:
6.6 Close the Detail View
To close the Detail View, click on the close button at right corner of the Detail view
display
Or uncheck the Show More Details checkbox in the results panel.
.
7.0 Closing the PDF-D FlexRay Decode Analysis Software
To close the PDF-D FlexRay Decode Software, click on the close button
at
the right corner of the PDF-D Software user interface or by selecting Exit in the File
menu.
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
26
8.0 Feedback
Prodigy Test Solutions values your feedback on our products. To help us serve you
better, please send us your suggestions, ideas, or comments on your application.
Direct your feedback via email to contact@prodigytest.com and include the following
information.
Please be as specific as possible.
General information:
•
•
Oscilloscope model number and hardware options, if any probes used.
Your name, company, mailing address, phone number, FAX number.
•
Please indicate if you would like to be contacted by Prodigy Test Solutions about
your suggestions or comments.
Solution specific information:
•
•
•
•
PDF-D software version number.
Firmware version of the oscilloscope.
Description of the problem such that technical support can duplicate the problem.
If possible, save the oscilloscope setup files as a .SET file.
If possible, save the waveform on which you are performing the measurement as a
.ISF file.
Once you have gathered this information, you can contact technical support by phone or
through e-mail. If using e-mail, be sure to enter in the subject line “PDFD FlexRay Problem” or “PDF-D FlexRay Feedback” and attach the .SET and .ISF files.
•
9.0 Contact Information
Prodigy Test Solutions
#15/130, 3rd Floor, 1st Cross,
8th Main, BTM 1st Stage
Bangalore 560029
Karnataka, India
Email:contact@prodigytest.com
Phone numbers: +91 80 26789555/+91 9880027949
PDF-D FlexRay Protocol Analysis Solution
© Prodigy Test Solutions
27