New FlexRay Active Star IC from austriamicrosystems first to fully conform to the FlexRay Standard 2.1 Rev B

The four branches of the AS8223 operate as a FlexRay receiver and transmitter whereby one of the communication paths is operating as receiver while the others operate as transmitter. Additionally, the AS8223 comes with a Host Controller Interface to achieve active control of the power modes and error diagnosis. An autonomous mode is entered automatically, in which the device operates without the need for a host controller. A Communication Controller interface is also built into the AS8223, to provide the standard transceiver functionality on the ECU using the AS8223.

The AS8223 FlexRay Active Star Device is tailored for automotive gateways with embedded FlexRay Active Star functionality. Connecting several devices at its Interstar interface enables extension of the FlexRay branches to suit the needs of applications. Other features of the AS8223 include: very low asymmetric delay contribution; data transfer up to 10 Mbps; enhanced bus error detection with current sensing on FlexRay branches up to 8 m from connector pins, plus very low contribution to the FlexRay network asymmetric delay. In addition, the AS8223 includes an automatic thermal shutdown protection and provides internal ESD protection at the bus pins for demanding automotive applications.

“The AS8223 is the world’s first FlexRay Active Star Device that conforms to the FlexRay Electrical Physical Layer Specification V2.1 Rev B”, stated Harald Gall, Product Manager at austriamicrosystems. He continued, “It also features best-in-class EMC immunity, according to approved EMC conformance tests, to provide reliable operation in the harshest automotive environments.”

The AS8223 FlexRay Active Star Device is available in a 9x9 mm 44-pin MLF package and operates over a temperature range of -40 to +125ºC with a wide power supply range of 5.5V to 40V.